Frequently Asked Questions.

So, where do I begin?

There are a few different paths you can take. If you are an entry-level analyst or a student with little to no experience in real estate finance, we suggest you begin with our Real Estate Finance Certification. If you are already a professional interested in specific property type deals, we recommend our Distribution Waterfall, Multifamily Development, Senior Living Development, and Townhome Development courses. These courses help you better analyze and acquire deals, so you can be more confident in your deal-making. All you have to do is take the course and land the job you want.

Who are my instructors?

Our team consists of experienced financial analysts who specialize in specific property types such as waterfall, multifamily, senior living, retail, home builder, and many more.

What do Top Shelf® Academy courses cover?

Each course covers a variety of topics. Our Real Estate Finance course covers a range of topics, such as capital expenditures, acquisitions, and revenues. In our more advanced courses, you have the choice to learn how to create a waterfall model or gain an understanding of analyzing and acquiring multifamily, senior living, or townhome deals.

How long do I have to complete my course?

There is no time restriction on your courses, meaning you can work through the courses at your desired pace and go back to review the lessons at any time after purchase. However, once you begin your final exam for the course, you have 60 minutes to complete the exam. We do not allow students to pause the exam at any point during the 60-minute time frame.

What will I gain from these courses?

You can expect to gain a multitude of things from Top Shelf® Academy. By the end of your course, you will have gained real-world knowledge about the real estate finance and commercial real estate industry which you can apply to your studies, future property deals, and underwriting. In addition, if you complete our Real Estate Finance course, you receive the perk of being added to our resume book, connecting you to top financial companies across the country.

How is the exam conducted?

The exam has a time limit of 60 minutes and it must be finished in one session. If you leave the exam at any time, your test may be invalidated.

The Real Estate Finance certification exam and the Excel for Real Estate certification exam consists of 50 questions.

The Waterfall Distribution exam consists of 30 questions and the Multifamily, Senior Living, and Townhome Development exams consist of 25 questions.

Are there any additional fees or costs?

There are no additional fees or costs associated with our courses.

Can I email my instructor if I have questions regarding my courses?

Yes, if you have any questions regarding your course content, please email eric@tsmfinancialacademy.com

Do you offer military or student discounts?

Yes, please email eric@tsmfinancialacademy.com for more information. We also offer discounts for universities, organizations, and other groups as well.

Can I download and edit the course material and templates?

Yes, you can download the course material and templates. You can edit the excel sheets to review what you have learned as well.

How long does it take to receive my digital Top Shelf® Academy certification?

Once you have successfully completed the course, you will receive an email with the link to your certification or you can access it by going to the “My Certificates” section in your account!

I have a discount code. How do I apply it when checking out?

As you are checking out, navigate to the right side of the page. Underneath the course photo and name, there is a “Have a coupon?” button. Click there, enter your code, and enjoy your course!