Course syllabus for Market and value in real estate

Course syllabus adopted 2025-02-17 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameFastighetsmarknad och -värde
  • CodeACE126
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPDCM
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyCivil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 88112
  • Maximum participants65 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0122 Written and oral assignments 3.5 c
Grading: TH		3.5 c
0222 Written and oral assignments 4 c
Grading: TH		4 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Only for students admitted to MSc programme within Architecture and Civil Engineering, as well as for exchange students with equivalent background.

Aim

The built environment in Sweden consists not only of physical entities but also serves as financial assets, with the real estate market playing a significant role in the national economy. Understanding the dynamics and mechanisms that define values in real estate is, therefore, a critical competence for design and construction project management students. This course encourages them to consider real estate from multiple dimensions, recognizing that a building's value is shaped not only by economic factors but also by its social, cultural, and environmental impacts. By adopting this holistic perspective, the student will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern real estate markets, where sustainable and community-focused developments are increasingly prioritized.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Understand the economic role of real estate and explain the role of buildings as financial assets, their significance in the national economy, and the dynamics of real estate markets.
  • Describe and apply tools and methodologies for the calculation of valuation and profitability of real estate investments.
  • Analyse and assess the economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors that shape the value of real estate in Sweden and globally.
  • Critically evaluate and synthesize academic literature and professional sources to understand the interplay between value-related theory and real estate practice.
  • Identify and analyse the perspectives of various stakeholders in real estate markets and navigate the tensions arising from differing views on values.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of sustainable and ethical practices in real estate management and propose strategies that balance market demands with community needs.
  • Demonstrate teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills in managing real estate projects and addressing contemporary challenges in the industry.

Content

The course is rooted in theories and practices developed within the realm of real estate economics and investments. Within this perspective, the course will present and discuss different perspectives on real estate economy. Cornerstones in the course will be:
  • Theories, tools and methods in real estate market management
  • Theories on the notions of values and urban developments
This above, many times inter-disciplinary, parts of the course represent different approaches to understand development and management of real estate markets. The following topics are covered
  • Real estate finance, investors and stakeholders
  • Real estate evaluation
  • Real estate investment analysis
  • Public housing in Sweden
  • Residential and Commercial Buildings in Sweden
  • Sustainability, circularity and value in real estate
  • Urban development and the role of buildings in the city
The course deepens the participants’ knowledge of real estate markets in general. It further emphasizes the methods as means to research within this theoretical field. This knowledge is useful for different real estate problems. It also gives the participant an insight into his or her decision-making behaviour.

Organisation

The course includes lectures, seminars, exercises, and assignments. Guest lecturers provide insights from different stakeholders.

Literature

Material distributed during the course will include book chapters, scientific articles and practitioners’ material.

Examination including compulsory elements

The students are expected to be main drivers of their own learning by participating to the courses and commit to their group work.  Active participation in seminars, lectures, exercises and workshops can affect the final grading.

Examination according to learning outcome goals:
  • Literature seminar
  • “Building” case study assignment
  • Final assignment on one issue related to the definition of values or market bridging multiple theories and practices
Minimum attendance is requested for 70% of the class sessions (11 out of 16 sessions).

Absence from one or several of the compulsory seminars or presentation sessions can be substituted with alternative assignments. The decision to approve that such a compensatory procedure may be used is made by the responsible teacher on an individual basis. Some course content will only be given at the time presented in the schedule.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.