What Does it Take to be a Commercial Real Estate Agent?

Have you ever thought, “I’m just not the kind of person that could succeed as an attorney.” or “He is totally the kind of person that needs to be in sales!”

What attributes would you assign to a real estate agent? Would you say anything different about a commercial real estate agent? 

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people comment about the kind of person a real estate agent might be, and it has made me think. 

Approaches to Being a Successful Commercial Real Estate Agent

As we have expanded our brokerage and welcomed several successful agents onto our team, I’ve been struck by how different each personality is and how it influences their approach to growing their business. Being successful as a commercial real estate agent doesn’t mean you have to love schmoozing or be skilled in navigating saturated listing websites. There is a path for everyone!

As an example, I’d like you to meet the members of our team here at Commercial Property Connect:

Amy Gibson’s Strategy for Success as an Associate Broker: 

Amy started as my right hand woman but ultimately decided to step into a valued role as an Associate Broker in both sales and leasing. With many traits that made her an exemplary executive assistant, she is an excellent and prompt communicator, keeps multi-step transactions organized and simple, and serves her clients in a way they rave about. 

She continues to grow her book of business primarily through a networking strategy: She attends many networking events, identifies professionals with a similar client base, and follows up with them with individual meetings, thank you cards, and gifts. With those individuals, she often coordinates joint presentations where, alongside them, she can add value on a conference itinerary and reach new target potentials who are looking for education and resources from a variety of professionals in connection to their businesses or real estate investments.

Erik Gibson’s Approach to Gathering Commercial Real Estate Leads: 

Erik is a fearless go-getter who built a very successful insurance business and decided to try his hand at commercial real estate. He grows his real estate business in a similar way to how he grew his insurance business.

Erik describes his business growth strategy in this way: 

I go out into the desert and pick up all the rocks I can find. Under each rock, I look to see if there is a potential client underneath that I can serve! 

In his efforts to turn over all the rocks in the desert, Erik does a lot of door knocking, marketing mailers, and phone conversations. With his warm personality and attitude of service, the connections he makes often naturally evolve into new projects and referrals.

How Susan McCall has Grown the Brokerage:

And finally, me! I started my business on referrals from residential agents, but referral fees were very costly, so I turned to online marketing and professional associations. I increased my digital footprint by setting up Google My Business and social media accounts. I joined peer to peer advisory groups that acted almost as an unofficial board of directors. This type of networking not only contributed to my professional development, it allowed me to build a higher level of trust with other wise businesspeople who began to refer me. 

I also began to pursue and receive recognitions, awards, and features that contributed to our reputation as a firm. 

Though these strategies are perhaps a more foundational approach, they have propelled me and my business forward.

There are Many Ways to Succeed in Commercial Real Estate

As you can see, the Commercial Property Connect team of agents spans a spectrum of personalities and growth tactics. Perhaps the one consistent element among the group is a dedication to serve, which is part of what makes Commercial Property Connect such a rewarding and propitious place to work. 

If you’d like to see if you would be a good fit for the CPC team, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always looking for quality people to add their unique spice to our team’s flavor!

If it feels like a big jump, don’t worry! Commercial Property Connect has a comprehensive, highly successful mentoring program that can get you on your way to accomplishment in this industry.

Who knows, maybe you are just the kind of person that could cultivate multi-faceted prosperity as a commercial real estate agent!