Hotel Real Estate Appraiser Associate - Consulting & Valuation

HVS; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid health insurance

401(k) match

Paid cellphone service

Long-term disability

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

HVS Chicago, IL is seeking a Hotel Real Estate Appraiser Associate to join Hospitality Consulting & Valuation. This entry-level position focuses on data analysis, reporting, and client-ready analyses under supervision.

The role requires a bachelor's degree and up to six months hotel industry experience; advanced Excel, strong writing, and attention to detail are essential. In-office start in Chicago with starting salary $65,400 and potential to $75,400 after the first year, plus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in finance, real estate, economics, or hospitality.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to structure data cleanly.
• Basic understanding of hotel operation fundamentals (minimum six months of industry experience).
• Strong writing skills and the discipline to produce clear, report-ready text.
• Sharp attention to detail and a habit of verifying information.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and meet deadlines in a small team; in-office training in Chicago encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Compile, clean, and analyze comparable sales and lodging performance data, and build supporting exhibits.
• Build and maintain Excel workbooks and models (competitive sets, forecasts, pro formas, etc.).
• Draft, fact-check, and refine market and neighborhood overviews, property descriptions, competitive positioning, and narratives.
• Research markets, entitlements, regulations, demographics, and lodging trends; verify facts before client deliverables.
• Turn source materials and inspection notes into clean analyses for reports.
• Support USPAP-compliant appraisals, market studies, and feasibility studies from kickoff to delivery.
• Carry out fieldwork and property inspections as directed.

Job description

Hotel Real Estate Appraiser Associate, Hospitality Consulting & Valuation

HVS | Chicago, IL

HVS Hospitality Consulting & Valuation is hiring a sharp, analytical junior associate to join our dynamic and collaborative team. The role is ideal for a self-starter who is efficient, highly organized, adaptable, eager to learn, and quick to refocus as priorities change. This is a hands‑on analytical position for a recent graduate or early‑career professional (bachelor’s degree required) who is strong with data, careful with detail, and a highly capable writer. At least six months of hotel industry‑related experience is preferred. Working alongside experienced industry leaders, you'll help clients make informed investment and business decisions across the hospitality sector. This is an in‑office role based in our Chicago, Illinois, office, starting at $65,400, with a defined step‑up to $75,400 after a successful first year and upon promotion. The average salary approaches $100,000 after just a few years of learning this work and becoming exceptional in its delivery. We also pay 100% of employee health insurance premiums, offer a 401(k) match, and provide a comprehensive benefits package.

Why HVS?

No two days are alike. Our consultants travel and learn about hundreds of submarkets and hotels, and our team can interact with industry participants that are equally passionate about this work. Hotel market studies, feasibility studies, and appraisals (valuations) are the mainstay of our business, and we train new associates how to expertly put together highly credible analyses and written reports to back up our conclusions.

What You Will Do

• Compile, clean, and analyze comparable sales and lodging performance data, and build the exhibits that support our conclusions
• Build and maintain Excel workbooks and models, including competitive sets, occupancy and rate forecasts, supply-and-demand analyses, hotel financial statements, pro formas, and discounted rate analyses
• Draft, fact-check, and refine report sections such as market and neighborhood overviews, property descriptions, competitive positioning, and highest-and-best-use narratives
• Research markets, entitlements, regulations, demographics, and economic and lodging trends, and verify facts before they reach a client deliverable
• Turn source materials, market reports, and inspection notes into clean, usable analysis
• Support USPAP-compliant appraisals, market studies, and feasibility studies from kickoff to delivery
• Carry out fieldwork and property inspections as directed

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in finance, real estate, economics, or hospitality
• Advanced Excel skills, with the ability to structure data cleanly and build supportable models
• Basic understanding of hotel operation fundamentals (preferred minimum of six months of industry-related experience)
• Strong writing skills and the discipline to produce clear, accurate, report-ready text
• Sharp attention to detail and a habit of verifying rather than assuming
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and meet deadlines as part of a small team (NOTE: This is a work-from-office position, so living close to our Chicago office is highly encouraged, particularly during the initial training period!)
• Excellent written and oral communication in English
• Comfort with Microsoft Office
• A valid U.S. driver's license
• Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time for fieldwork and inspections

Hospitality, finance, real estate, or data-analysis experience is a plus, including internships. We welcome curious, detail-oriented candidates from a range of analytical backgrounds with a preferred minimum of six months of industry-related experience.

Base Pay and Benefits

• Starting at $65,400
• Company-paid employee health insurance, long-term disability, dental, and life insurance (100% of premium paid)
• 401(k) match
• Paid cellphone service

Position Details

• Location: Chicago, IL (this is an in-office role)
• Start date: January 19, 2027
• Travel: up to 40% for fieldwork and inspections, including some long drives to markets in Illinois and surrounding states where flying is not practical
• Occasional lifting up to 20 pounds
• Frequent sitting (e.g., at the computer or in a car or airplane in transit to fieldwork); a standing desk can be provided upon request

Working Environment

Working environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

HVS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have unrestricted, permanent authorization to work in the United States. Individuals whose work authorization is temporary or time‑limited are not eligible for this position.