Are you interested in commercial real estate?

Whether you are just starting out in the real estate business or a seasoned professional, there is a big difference between residential and commercial real estate. Everything in this business is different from the residential aspect, including the clients, the properties, the documents and the contracts. If you are new to this business, the faster you can gain experience, the more beneficial it will be. Clients in this industry are often businessmen who expect a lot from their agent.

There is no immediate gratification working in commercial real estate. The entire process of making a sale from start to finish can take quite a while. Customers are not going to make a purchase based on emotion like many people do when buying a home. An agent can work with a client for months to find the right property. There is usually a great deal of property research and analysis involved before an offer is made. Once an offer is made, it can take a long time before the agent receives his commission. The commission, however, is often worth the fight. Business agents must be smart, aggressive, and proficient in the specialized skills needed to succeed in the business. If a person can be patient enough, this field can be very financially rewarding.

So what kind of properties does a commercial real estate agent deal with? These properties generally include businesses and buildings that are purchased by investors. An investor has the option of using the properties for their own business or renting it out to a tenant looking for a place to have their own office or business. These could include business parks, apartment complexes, or warehouses.

An agent must possess a special set of skills to be successful in this business. They must be able to analyze the potential income returns of an investor of a particular property. A successful agent will be familiar with any laws or zoning issues that may affect both business and real estate owners. Perhaps the most important quality for an agent to possess is reliability. Agents will have access to your clients’ financial information, so they must be able to keep certain information confidential. They must also have a good working knowledge of the tax laws that may affect their clients.

Many successful agents will take the time to find a mentor and learn the business from them. It’s always good to have an experienced person you can call when you have a question or just need some advice. Networking and continuing education can also be important tools for an agent to be successful. Becoming a Certified Business Investment Member (CCIM) not only offers agents a great educational opportunity, but also the opportunity to belong to a great network of professionals who will promote each other’s businesses.

Before making the decision to get involved in the industry, it’s important to take the time to research the field and decide if you have what it takes to be successful. If you’re going to invest your time and energy in a career, you need to make sure it’s the right one for you.