Elon Alumnus and Faculty Publish Research on Commercial Real Estate Valuation

In a groundbreaking study, Associate Professor Margarita Kaprielyan of Elon’s Business School and alumnus Angelo Boone ’20 have explored the transformative impact of using CoStar in real estate finance education. The study, published in the Journal of Real Estate Practice and Education, underscores the power of experiential learning in preparing students for careers in commercial real estate.

The research introduces a structured, semester-long project designed to provide students with real-world experience in property investment analysis. This hands-on approach allows students to work with authentic commercial real estate data, moving beyond hypothetical scenarios to gain practical, immersive experience.

Key Findings:

• Hands-on Learning: Students engage directly with real commercial real estate data, enhancing their practical understanding.
• Industry-Relevant Tools: Proficiency in CoStar and Excel gives students a competitive edge in the job market.
• Valuable Feedback: Structured feedback at multiple stages significantly improves student understanding of real estate finance, with 95% of students reporting enhanced comprehension.

“CoStar is a game-changer for real estate professionals,” Boone remarked. “The platform centralizes market insights, property data, and industry trends, making it an essential tool for investment analysis. Learning it in the classroom was incredibly beneficial because it gave me a strong foundation before entering the workforce.”

Looking forward, Kaprielyan and Boone envision expanding the project to incorporate advanced topics such as investment strategies and renovation cost analysis. “This research demonstrates how structured, feedback-driven projects prepare students for real-world challenges,” Kaprielyan explained. “By providing them with direct exposure to industry tools and strategies, we ensure they graduate ready to make smart investment decisions.”

Boone, currently at Blue Heron Asset Management, specializes in commercial real estate investment and remains an active mentor to Elon students. He provides guidance on industry trends, career opportunities, and essential skills for success.

Kaprielyan, who joined Elon University in Fall 2017, previously taught at Florida Atlantic University while pursuing her PhD in Finance. She currently teaches Real Estate Finance and Financial Modeling at Elon.

For more on this study, visit the original article on Elon University’s website.