General Portfolio Information
Step 1: Qualifying Activity Requirements
Step 2: Qualifying Your Transaction
Step 3: Preparing Your Narratives
Step 4: Preparing Your Comprehensive Case Study
Step 5: Portfolio Format/Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
Portfolio PowerPoint Presentation
Print This Page

Step 3: Preparing Your Narratives -

Under the current Portfolio of Qualifying Experience guidelines, it will no longer be mandatory to provide an Executive Summary, Narrative or Comprehensive Case Study for transactions submitted within a Portfolio. Candidates are required to complete an Activity Data Form for each transaction submitted. Each activity should begin with the Activity Data Form, which details the property, your role, client’s goals and objectives and core skills used.

As you reflect on what CCIM Core Skills you used, or could have used or in hindsight should have used, you are encouraged to attach supportive documentation that demonstrates your understanding and ability to use these skills. You need to convey a complete picture of the activity, with each step of the activity clearly and convincingly explained so that the graders can visualize the property and comprehend your reasoning from inception to completion.

You will need to address each of the following on the Activity Data Form:

• Explain the activity from its inception to completion.
• Explain your role in the activity.
• Describe how you achieved or helped to achieve the client’s goal(s) and objective(s).
• Discuss alternative courses of action that were available, how they were evaluated, and the basis on which the ultimate course of action was selected and other alternatives were rejected.
• Describe the negotiation process and/or recommended course of action, including the decision criteria and decision points.
• Detail the financing structure if applicable, including how it was selected and the benefits of choosing that form of financing.

CCIM Core Skills

The following is a list of CCIM skills taught in the core courses. When completing the Activity Data Form, use the following list to guide you. Determine which skills you used in the activity and explain how you used them.

CCIM skills:

• Used a calculator or computer to analyze properties and markets.
• Applied the concepts of compounding and discounting.
• Calculated and used capital accumulation method.
• Demonstrated the impact of tax laws on real estate cash flows.
• Calculated and used IRR.
• Identified the physical aspects of user properties.
• Evaluated feasibility and market studies.
• Used demographic and economic information to set rents.
• Analyzed physical and location characteristics.
• Estimated market rent and sale prices.
• Estimated vacancy and absorption rates.
• Recognized methods of establishing and using a market information system.
• Interpreted real estate market data.
• Demonstrated the financial implications of various methods of acquisition and disposition.
• Prepared oral and written presentations.
• Communicated and coordinated with the user team.
• Calculated NPV and demonstrated its application.
• Recognized the economic significance of lease clauses for various property types.
• Analyzed lease-vs.-own alternatives.
• Conducted alternative lease comparisons.

What Graders Look For in Portfolios

Graders are CCIMs who have successfully gone through the rigors of preparing their Portfolios and are proud of their CCIM pin. The graders look for a presentation that, in part, reflects the quality of your professional work that befits the CCIM designation.

The first thing Graders review is the Portfolio Cover Sheet , It is important that you follow the assembly directions by the use of the CCIM Portfolio Checklist, Summary of Qualifying Activities and the Activity Data Form to see if you have supplied the proof of activity and proofs of Candidate’s role.

If this information has not been satisfactorily supplied, your Portfolio will be returned for completion.

It has been stated that the CCIM designation is equivalent to a graduate degree. Therefore, Graders reviewing your Portfolio look for a demonstration of the CCIM skills you used or would have been used in your transactions. Your demonstration must include the application of these skills sets by use of an APOD, demographic data, etc. or any of the other skill sets learned through the course curriculum.

If you have questions about preparing your portfolio, contact the Designation Department (800/621-7027, extension 4478) or e-mail questions to designation@ccim.com or consult your local CCIM chapter for assistance.
<< Step 2: Qualifying Your Transaction Step 4: Preparing Your Comprehensive Case Study >>