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Predicting Residential Home Prices: An Advanced Data Science Approach

Data Analyst Project completed by Joseph Wankelman

Python | SQL | Scikit-learn | Machine Learning | Regression | Feature Engineering | Data Preprocessing | Statistical Analysis | ANOVA | Data Visualization | Seaborn | Matplotlib | Economic Sensitivity Analysis | Real Estate Market Forecasting | Business Analytics | Decision Trees | Random Forest | Linear Models | Time Series Analysis

Project Description

This project showcases the power of data science and business analytics by providing a comprehensive analysis of residential home prices in Ames, Iowa. Leveraging a dataset with 79 explanatory variables that describe nearly every aspect of residential homes, I developed machine learning models to predict housing prices accurately. The project demonstrates my expertise in data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model selection, focusing on relationships between variables such as square footage, neighborhood, and overall quality with the sale price. The use of advanced regression techniques, including both linear models and decision trees, ensures that the analysis captures the complexity of real estate economics and consumer behavior. Through thorough data visualization and statistical tests, I uncovered significant insights into how various factors influence market valuations, ultimately guiding data-driven decision-making for stakeholders in the real estate market. By applying data science principles alongside economic theory, this project highlights my ability to synthesize complex datasets and deliver actionable insights that drive business strategy and operational efficiency.

Project Skills

Utilized economic theory and consumer behavior insights to assess how key variables, such as living area, basement size, and building quality, influence market prices.

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Conducted extensive data cleaning, imputation, and normalization processes to handle missing and skewed data for robust model performance.

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Employed data visualization tools like Matplotlib and Seaborn to illustrate significant trends, correlations, and relationships between home characteristics and sale prices.

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Applied advanced statistical techniques (e.g., linear regression, ANOVA) and machine learning algorithms to predict housing prices, optimizing model accuracy with feature selection and regularization methods.

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Integrated regression models and machine learning tools like Scikit-learn for multivariate analysis, ensuring precise forecast capabilities.

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Engaged in economic sensitivity analysis to understand demand elasticity in housing prices based on changing external factors, providing a decision-making framework for real estate investors.

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Developed a scalable and reproducible machine learning pipeline, enhancing process automation and improving model retraining for future datasets.

Project Demostrates

This project demonstrates my capabilities in data science and machine learning by expertly utilizing advanced algorithms and statistical models to predict housing prices, showcasing proficiency in regression analysis, predictive modeling, and feature engineering. Through comprehensive data analysis and economic insight, I synthesized large datasets into actionable insights, leveraging business analytics to model consumer preferences, demand elasticity, and market conditions. Applying these insights, I guided business strategy by using economic principles to inform real estate decision-making, resulting in improved pricing strategies, inventory forecasting, and a deeper understanding of consumer behavior. In terms of risk management, I identified key risk factors in housing investments by analyzing variables such as construction quality, neighborhood effects, and market trends, helping reduce financial uncertainties for stakeholders. My technical acumen was demonstrated by designing a seamless workflow that integrated data extraction, preprocessing, and visualization, culminating in a reliable predictive model that enhances operational decision-making for real estate businesses.

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