• DATA
  • PROPERTIES
  • RETURNS
  • HUMAN

How to retrieve granular data series with your AI

Connect NCREIF to your AI client once. From there, you can pull specific metrics and property details using plain English.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I get specific NCREIF data series and property metrics?

Your AI uses the NCREIF MCP to pull exact data series and property-level returns. You can ask for specific metrics or list all available properties to start your research. You'll get the raw data needed for your analysis.

Research outcomes

Where your data lands.

The AI processes your request and organizes the results into these four areas.

DATA

Specific data series

The AI identifies the exact NCREIF series you asked for. You get the raw metrics needed for your models.

PROPERTIES

Property lists

The AI pulls a list of properties based on your criteria. This gives you the scope of the dataset you're working with.

RETURNS

Financial performance

The AI fetches property-level returns. You get the specific performance numbers for the assets you're analyzing.

HUMAN

Manual verification

The AI provides the data, but you decide if the metrics meet your research standards. You handle the final interpretation.

The workflow

What your AI does when a query arrives.

The AI acts as a bridge between your questions and the NCREIF database.

  1. Identify metrics

    The AI looks through the available NCREIF data series to find the exact identifiers for your request.

    list_data_series

  2. Locate assets

    The AI finds the specific properties you want to investigate within the NCREIF dataset.

    list_properties

  3. Calculate performance

    The AI pulls the specific return data for the properties you've identified.

    get_property_returns

  4. Format results

    The AI organizes the retrieved series and returns into a clean format for your analysis.

    list_data_series

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to begin your research.

Starting points

Swap out the bracketed text with the specific NCREIF series or property names you need.

NCREIF Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_cHIgjRHOfDjNe1jX3dAml5nDHkmA2IviCyNrcz5z/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — NCREIF capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ncreif-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_cHIgjRHOfDjNe1jX3dAml5nDHkmA2IviCyNrcz5z/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • List all available NCREIF data series so I can see what's available.

  • Find the property returns for [Property Name].

  • Show me the data series for [Specific Metric Name].

  • List all properties in the NCREIF database to help me narrow my search.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect NCREIF once, then ask.

Click the link to connect. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can immediately start querying NCREIF through your preferred AI client.

Connect NCREIF to your AI

FAQ

How the NCREIF MCP behaves.

  • 01

    Can the AI change data in NCREIF?

    No. The AI can only read data series, list properties, and get returns. It cannot modify any NCREIF records.

  • 02

    Can I use this with Claude?

    Yes, as long as you are using an MCP-compatible client like Claude Desktop.

  • 03

    Does the AI perform the final financial modeling?

    No. The AI retrieves the granular data and returns, but you are responsible for the actual financial modeling and decision making.

  • 04

    Can the AI download CSV files directly?

    No. The AI retrieves the data series and presents them to you in the chat interface.

  • 05

    Can I ask for data not in the NCREIF series?

    No. The AI is limited to the specific data series and property metrics provided by the NCREIF tools.

  • More questions about NCREIF? See everything the NCREIF Connector can do

Connect NCREIF to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more