Strategic Operating Expense Planning for CRE Professionals

Operating expenses are at the core of every property’s financial performance—and understanding how to manage them strategically is essential for advancing in commercial real estate. This hands-on, intermediate-to-advanced session is designed to help property professionals sharpen their financial skills and gain confidence in building, analyzing, and presenting operating expense budgets.

Attendees will explore how to evaluate expense categories, align costs with lease terms, and identify opportunities for efficiency and savings. The session will also feature a plug-and-play Excel template for operating expense forecasting, with built-in formulas and customization options for different property types. A panel of experienced professionals will walk participants through real-world workflows and share tips for communicating financials to ownership and partners.

Participants will leave with practical tools—including a budget presentation checklist—and the knowledge to make informed, strategic decisions that drive property value.

Learning Objectives—At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Analyze key components of operating expenses and how they impact property performance and tenant relationships.
• Apply forecasting techniques using a customizable Excel template tailored to various asset types.
• Align operating expense strategies with lease structures and ownership expectations.
• Construct and present a clear, data-driven budget package to stakeholders with confidence.