How to Become a Commercial Real Estate Agent

A commercial real estate agent is a licensed mediator between buyers and sellers of

land properties that he or she helps his or her clients buy, sell, or lease for their business. A

career as a commercial real estate agent can be lucrative and uplifting to anyone who has

worked a long and tedious career before coming across it. The joy in selling or developing

manmade structures has pulled in novices, whether they have a GED or a postgraduate degree.

However, one reason that several would-be agents have quit in pursuing this form of real estate

is due to the lack of preparation in entering the field. Successful agents stress strong research

skills, socializing with as many experienced agents as possible, and educating yourself on

common practices and laws. There are proven steps in how to become a commercial real estate

agent and maintain your professional life as one.

Choose a specialty Narrow down what field you want to specialize in order to learn how to become a

commercial real estate agent in your desired sector of the field. General brokerage,

development, and property management are the three fields within this part of real

estate. General brokerage involves assisting with the sale of a commercial property, and

the agent may specialize in retail, office, industrial, or investment. Development

involves purchasing land and building an edifice on it while organizing finances,

negotiating tenant leases, hiring contractors, and supervising construction up until its

completion. Property management involves handling day-to-day hiring contractors to

repair and maintain the building and paying each of the contractors his or her salary.

Find many experienced agents to learn from List everyone you know in commercial real estate. Find more commercial real estate

agents by asking if any family and friends know any. Building a list of agents who have

been in your position gives you an advantage over novices who aren’t searching for

them, because you can gain knowledge and expertise without having to go through the

pain of learning it.

Interview the agents Once you’ve compiled a list, call the agents who are most likely to listen to you and

conduct a 15-minute interview with him or her. Ask them what you would like to know

of how to become a commercial real estate agent. What are the dos and don’ts of

brokerage, development, or property management? How could you maintain clients?

What is jargon that is only used in commercial real estate? While presenting these

questions, leave out your personal wants and desires unless they are asked of you by

the interviewee.

Research the career thoroughly Research commercial real estate through certified websites and published journals, such

as the National Association of Realtors, which has numerous articles online and in

written journals for members. Attend as many courses as you can to learn as much of

the field as possible, because becoming a commercial real estate agent will require

research skills. The exposure will also provide opportunities for you to network with

other new and hopeful commercial real estate agents.

Earn a license Study for a state commercial real estate agent license. Getting a commercial real estate

license requires attending 30 to 90 hours of courses in business law and real estate

topics, such as real estate law, real estate appraisal, and property management, and

passing a written exam. The coursework may seem monotonous, but it prepares you to

understand the legal system and human resource side of commercial real estate.

Join an organization Join an organization that is supported by The National Association of Realtors. This

professional organization provides its members with office tools, risk management

information, personal insurance, and other benefits to make your career less stressful

on your personal finances. Supported organizations include the Certified Commercial

Investment Member, the Counselor of Real Estate, and REALTORS® Land Institute.

Find work Apply for work at a company that hires commercial real estate agents. I recommend

reputable companies such as CBRE or Jones Lang LaSalle. Such companies are well

known for amiable and highly successful commercial real estate agents. They also have a

simple to understand website that details in its career section what skills they are

looking for in their agents.

In Summary Commercial real estate is a rewarding field if one prepares his or herself. Researching

the career’s practices and interviewing as many experienced agents will help you in

knowing what you should and shouldn’t commit to doing. You will also become

educated on how to deal with unfavorable situations along with how to maintain

relationships with your contractors and supervisor. This journey won’t be easy, but it

will be worth it.

Citations:

"Getting Started in Commercial Real Estate." Realtor Magazine. 2016. Web. 19 Mar.

2016.

"5 Reasons You Won't Make It Selling Real Estate." Realtor Magazine. 2016. Web. 19

Mar. 2016.

"How to Get Your Commercial Real Estate Broker's License." Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

"How to Succeed in Commercial Real Estate as a Residential Broker." Realtor Magazine.

2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

"Affiliate Organizations." Realtor.org. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

"The 5 Things That Determine Your Success as a Commercial Real Estate Broker." Wall

Street Oasis. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.