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Commercial Vs. Residential One on One

By
Commercial Real Estate Agent

Often I am asked about how my job as a COMMERCIAL agent differs from associates in the residential world of real estate.  Generally speaking they don't mean the lending structures, the business aspect and/or any of the nitty gritty details of each deal.  People want to know, what do I do differently in my day versus my counterparts.

I can tell you the single largest difference is my job is not only that I work business hours like a banker but that my job is BLACK and WHITE.  Completely, honestly in many ways my job is easier although I have to wait longer for paydays.  When I present a business opportunity to a client they really could careless about the state of the building, the question is "Do the numbers make sense?"

"Yes."

"Then we got a deal."

I envy my counterparts as they often have to deal with the emotional side of real estate.....in commercial we deal with property owners and clients that usually have done this before, many times over and sometimes more than we have.  In residential you have first time buyers, sellers who are attached to their home and take every offer, counteroffer as insulting and personal.

 In residential you have to manage expectations and emotions on a much greater scale than the commercial market and for that the residential agents have a much harder job than I.

Congratulations to Residential Agents for doing one of the hardest jobs in the world in one of the worst markets we've seen in sometime.  Keep being positive and keep working hard, some people will recognize it.  I know I do.

Thank you.

Ryan Haddock

www.soundadvisors.net

 

Comments(4)

David A. Podgursky PA
THE PODGURSKY GROUP @ Re/Max Direct - Boynton Beach, FL
THE PODGURSKY GROUP - Make the Right Move!

night and day

I started in real estate as a commercial agent.  Now I do mortgages but I love the commercial side

it has me heading in many different directions all at once, but it is a lot to swallow. I am constantly in teacher mode because I get smaller deals where the buyers are less experienced.

Nov 20, 2007 04:37 AM
Rebecca Savitski
BSR Real Estate Group - Cary, NC
NC Real Estate Listings
Ryan - I have been putting my resume out to some Commercial Firms in NC. I want to learn Commercial and am willing to do almost an internship. Do you think this is a realistic plan?
Nov 30, 2007 04:23 AM
Abe Do
Olympia, WA
It is a very realistic plan, but interview them, don't let them interview you.  You set the parameters and timelines.  You will have more commercial contacts than you are aware of, just be realistic as to the differences and time frames in which closings occur in commercial versus residential.
Nov 30, 2007 06:19 AM
Chris Lengquist
Ad Astra Realty - Olathe, KS
Kansas City Real Estate Investing
Great post.  As a res guy that deals almost exclusively with investment homes (rentals) I consider myself a little bit of a hybrid.  I'm reading your blog, however, because I'm growing more weary of the smaller deals and more intrigued by the commercial side of things.  I haven't made the leap yet but I am doing my research. 
Apr 18, 2008 04:28 AM