Research Analyst

Sunstone Real Estate Advisors; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunstone Real Estate Advisors in San Diego seeks a Research Analyst to join our team. You will support brokerage by compiling market data on manufactured housing and RV communities, track comps, and prepare client-ready charts and summaries.

The ideal candidate has 1–3+ years in market research or CRE data analysis, strong Excel skills, and the ability to translate numbers for non-technical audiences; this is an in-office role in Pacific Beach.

Qualifications

• 1–3+ years in market research, data analysis, or related CRE/analytical role.
• Experience with real estate or demographic data sources (e.g., CoStar, public records, Census data) preferred.
• Strong Excel and MS Office skills; data visualization experience a plus.
• Superior writing, editing, and proofreading abilities.

Responsibilities

• Research and compile market, submarket, and property-level data on manufactured housing and RV communities nationwide.
• Track and analyze comparable sales and rent comps to support pricing, underwriting, and valuation work.
• Build and maintain data sets and models that feed OM's, BOV's, and client materials.
• Prepare charts, maps, and summaries translating data into client-ready insights.
• Monitor industry news, transactions, and trends; summarize key takeaways for the brokerage team.
• Support brokers and executives with ad hoc research requests tied to active deals.
• Maintain and improve internal research databases, templates, and tracking tools.
• Collaborate with operations, marketing, and brokerage teams across the firm.

Skills

Data analysis

Market research

Written communication

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree; real estate/finance/economics preferred

Tools

Office365

MS Word

PowerPoint

Canva

Third‑party platforms

Job description

Sunstone Real Estate Advisors, the largest national brokerage firm focused exclusively on manufactured housing & RV communities, seeks a talented Research Analyst to join our growing team in San Diego.

The ideal candidate possesses 1-3+ years' experience in market research, data analysis, or a related commercial real estate (CRE) function, and is comfortable working with property, demographic, and transaction data, industry terminology, and third-party research platforms.

We're seeking a curious, detail-oriented, and growth-oriented individual to help support the firm's brokerage team with a range of tasks from market and submarket research, comp tracking and analysis, preparing data for offering memorandums (OM's) and broker opinions of value (BOV's), building charts and reports for client presentations, and monitoring industry trends across the manufactured housing and RV community sector.

This is a full-time, exempt, primarily in-office role located in Pacific Beach.

A day in the life of a successful Research Analyst includes, but is not limited to:

• Research and compile market, submarket, and property-level data on manufactured housing and RV communities nationwide
• Track and analyze comparable sales and rent comps to support pricing, underwriting, and valuation work
• Build and maintain data sets and models that feed offering memorandums (OM's), broker opinions of value (BOV's), and client pitch materials
• Prepare charts, maps, and summaries that translate raw data into clear, client-ready insights
• Monitor industry news, transactions, and trends, and summarize key takeaways for the brokerage team
• Support brokers and executives with ad hoc research requests tied to active deals and prospecting efforts
• Maintain and improve internal research databases, templates, and tracking tools
• Collaborate with operations, marketing, and brokerage teams across the firm

The Ideal Research Analyst possesses the following characteristics:

• A curious, analytical mindset with genuine interest in real estate markets and data
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, charting) and comfort learning new research/data platforms
• Intermediate/strong computer skills including Office365, MS Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Canva or similar design tools
• Excellent attention to detail, with strong proofreading and quality-control habits when working with numbers
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarize data for a non-technical audience
• A reliable, punctual, and collaborative team member who takes ownership of assigned work

The Research Analyst role requires:

• 1-3+ years of experience in market research, data analysis, or a related CRE/analytical role
• Experience with real estate or demographic data sources (e.g., CoStar, public records, Census data) preferred
• Strong Excel and MS Office skills; experience with data visualization tools a plus
• Superior writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Ability to manage multiple research requests and prioritize workflow in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Bachelor's degree preferred, ideally in real estate, finance, economics, or a related field