Real Estate Finance Intern

Capital Automotive Real Estate Services, Inc. (CARS; formerly Capital Automotive REIT) was formed in 1998 as the first company exclusively focused on providing highly-tailored real estate capital to the automotive industry. As the national leader in the automotive real estate market, Capital Automotive’s strategic business plan has allowed automotive dealers to monetize their real estate equity through the execution of sale-leaseback transactions and related financial services. CARS manages a portfolio of real estate valued at ~$5 billion that includes over 450 franchises in 38 states and four provinces and one territory in Canada. CARS currently manages the largest and most diverse portfolio of automotive retail properties in North America with property types that include new and used vehicle car dealerships, body shops, motorcycle dealerships, RV dealerships, and automotive auctions.  

CARS, a publicly held company from 1998 through 2005, achieved 31 consecutive quarters of revenue and dividend growth, and in December of 2005, completed a privatization by partnering with Private Equity partner DRA Advisors, LLC. In October 2014, Capital Automotive was acquired by Brookfield Property Partners (NASDAQ: BPY), a global commercial real estate company with headquarters in New York and Toronto. In February 2022, CARS was acquired by Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES), a global alternative investment manager with headquarters in Los Angeles. CARS is part of funds managed by Ares’ Alternative Credit and Real Estate groups and is headquartered in Tysons Corner, VA with over 30 full-time employees.

Real Estate Finance Intern

Internship Opportunities: An internship at CARS will provide valuable business lessons and skills that will be transferable to any professional full-time position, across various industries. CARS interns will have opportunities to work with the Portfolio Management team in the capacity of a full-time Analyst within the Real Estate Group. Interns will be afforded the opportunity to take on higher levels of responsibility as they are willing and able. As members of the Portfolio Management team, interns will have exposure to real estate transactions, asset-backed securities (ABS), CARS investor presentations, Investment Committee approval memos, lease negotiations, construction financing, industry research, property site visits, and commercial real estate reports (e.g., appraisals, surveys, zoning reports, and environmental reports).  

The CARS intern program will provide opportunities to:
• Join an open-door, collegial environment with regular access to all levels of executive management, including the President and the Chief Executive Officer. 

 • Participate in work assignments and projects that will add real value to the company. Many prior intern-led projects have been incorporated into day-to-day operations. 

 • Conduct in-depth credit risk assessments, including the evaluation of tenant and prospect financial statements. 

 • Receive industry-specific training (including training on credit/financial analysis, real estate due diligence underwriting, leases, and the automotive retail industry) as well as access to professional development workshops, such as resume reviews and business writing workshops.  

• Build investment analysis skills by tracking and evaluating automotive dealers, reviewing their financials, listening to investor calls and presentations, and performing additional research to develop conclusions and recommendations. 

 • Present multiple projects directly to the CEO, President, Portfolio Managers, and other senior-level executives. Recent internship projects have included recommending an exit strategy for a near-term lease expiration, conducting a comprehensive analysis of publicly traded automotive dealers and industry threats and trends, and underwriting a potential new CARS acquisition. 

 • Report directly to a member of the Portfolio Management team and receive feedback on strengths and opportunities for development.  

Other Benefits:
• Daily company-paid lunch with several restaurant options within close walking distance when in the office.
• Company-paid parking.
• The CARS office is located in Tysons Corner, VA, 10 miles from Downtown Washington, D.C. The office is within walking distance of the WMATA Metro's Silver Line and The Boro at Tysons.

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is an undergraduate Junior that is pursuing a degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, and/or Accounting. Other well-qualified Sophomores and other business-related degrees (Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, etc.) will also be considered.