Commercial Real Estate

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Whats the best way to approach cold calling a large commercial real estate firm about career opportunities? I'm a recent a graduate with a Finance and Economics degree, but I don't have a real estate license...

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I have a degree in finance/real estate from major 4 year public university. I have about 2 years of somewhat irrelevant work experience doing administrative tasks in the work force. I am on track to be a licensed real estate agent for the state of Georgia in about 3 weeks among other resume builders such as a pilots license, etc. and am looking for a start in commercial real estate and possibly an ultimate career brokering busineses for sale. It seems difficult to find good info available on job descriptions. What are the best companies to look at? Anyone from the industry have any comments on the field? How about commission levels, etc? What's a good path to take? Do you suggest jumping right in or starting in residential first? How about an internship or finding a mentor? Anything helps. Thanx!

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Start interviewing now. Call some commercial brokerage houses in your area and tell them I'm about to be licensed and want to talk about starting at your firm. Since you are commission only, of course they want you. The more the merrier. Go in with the attitude of what are they going to do to help you become a success. You know you'll do the work. But what do they offer you? Getting a job at a commission only position is like rolling off a log, of course they'll hire you if you appear to be intelligent enought to walk and look the part. But what you need is good training and lots of it for free. So be cautious about any company that doesn't boast long and loud about their training program. Some Coldwell Banker offices have commercial division. I'd start with a warm and fuzzy place like that first to get your feet wet. This is the revers hiring interview. You are checking them out to see why you should start there and make them a fortune off of your efforts.

I want to learn more about the commercial real estate industry. I do NOT want to go to a 4-year university to do so. Can you recommend a crash course school or certification?

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My business is only in commercial real estate; not residential real estate. It would be nice if Yahoo could expand its Real Estate site to include features and answers for commercial real estate brokers and/or investors.

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I was the designated realtor for yahoo real estate in ventura county for a long time. It cannot be expanded that way. It is set up for residential only, and they cherry pick the listings that go in. The idea is to connect the party with a realtor who can truly find out what the client's need are and then as a specialist in the area, get the property needs met. If you want to see commercial listings, go to www.loopnet.com. I am a paid member there, so I can see more than the unpaid members, but by and large, you can see every commercial property for sale or least there.

I have a BS in Business Management and have spent the past 7 years working in property management for a real estate investment partnership. What is a good route for me to take to become a successful commercial real estate agent? Can that be done without making cold calls?

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The best way to gain sales in any business is either on the phone, in person, or in social settings, networking events. You have to get people to know who you are. Joining the local city chamber of commerce, non-profit organizations that you feel strongly about are a plus. You want to enjoy the organization first, and if you happen to gain business as a result that is extra. Many orgs know people join to network for business. Nothing wrong with that, just get in front of people. tell everyone you know you are in the business, ask for referrals. Once you have established a reputation and client base, people will seek you out. I worked at a major Wall Street Firm and my first 2 years was a lot of prospecting and networking, my last 3 years was 95% referrals, 5% networking. Good Luck!