What Commercial Real Estate Brokerage is REALLY Like [Hours, Pay, Exit Opportunities]

What Commercial Real Estate Brokerage is REALLY Like [Hours, Pay, Exit Opportunities] // I made a video a while back on what I would do if I were starting my own commercial real estate career over again, and one of the things I mentioned in that video is that, if I could rewind time and go back to the beginning, I would do everything in my power to start my career in brokerage.
And since this is still the path I’d take today if I were just getting started, I wanted to take a second to break down this career path in a little bit more detail, and explain exactly what you’d be signing up for if you wanted to go down this road.
So if you’re thinking that brokerage might be for you, but you want some more clarity around what taking an analyst role in brokerage actually means for your career, in this video, let’s walk through the main job responsibilities of a real estate analyst working at a brokerage firm, the kind of pay you can expect on the brokerage side of the business, and the potential career progression and exit opportunities you might have when going the brokerage route.
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🕒 Timestamps 🕒
0:00 Introduction
1:09 Defining CRE Brokerage
1:53 The Starting Point
3:17 The Day-To-Day
4:23 Pay and Career Progression
6:51 Exit Opportunities
8:32 The Skills You'll Need To Break In
#commercialrealestateanalyst #crebrokerage
*Nothing in this video should be construed as tax, legal, accounting, valuation, or financial advice or recommendation. All information in this video is intended solely for educational purposes, and you are advised to consult with your own personal professional advisors regarding your personal investment decisions.
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[@BreakIntoCRE]

Are you interested in a CRE brokerage career? Why or why not?

[@walidkholmi]

Yes. I accidentally meet a wealthy investor during a seminar. With portfolio over 250MLN. Currently, I am working on 3 retail centers in Amsterdam, Paris and Bordeaux. The latest two are from a listed firm. However, the process is very long. On 18th of March hopefully the first SPA will be signed. VERY EXCITED. Worked on it for almost 1.5 yerars. Learned allot from you. Now looking to learn more.

[@BreakIntoCRE]

@@walidkholmi definitely an exciting opportunity! Good luck!

[@naj8785]

2 years on the principal side thinking about investment sales because I like the risk and high pace. However concerned about bearish economic growth forecasts that may make brokerage much more competitive

[@kingyoshiee]

@@naj8785 may i know what prior experience/skillset that made you land your current role on the principal side?

[@naj8785]

@@kingyoshiee accounting undergrad to property accountant for first job + studying CFA Level I + move to the best CRE Market got me on the principal side as an analyst

[@davidroldan6007]

THANK YOU SO MUCH JUSTIN FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO AS SUGGESTED SOME VIDEOS BEFORE. YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

[@willwyatt4438]

Hey justin, I have been following you ever since you started your show and I was about 16 years old. You’ve answered a ton of my questions and I finally have a chance to break into cre because i have an interview coming up with JLL as an intern. I’ve used a lot of information i pulled from here to get where I’m at today and I just want to say thank you for everything and now I’m going to rewatch all of your interview tips until I start the interview! Thank you Justin!

[@JackSempleRE]

Did you get the job? If so, congrats!

[@supersyrie1567]

Hi, I've run across your channel a few times. I had to subscribe today because of how relevant and helpful your videos are! I'm graduating high school this year and have some big decisions coming up on whether or not to complete a college degree (I have two years worth of credits already), which degree to pursue, residential or commercial, etc. Your videos are answering questions I didn't even know I had. I know some of these obscure topics might not get 100,000s of views but they are really really appreciated by people like myself. Thank you and you've gained a loyal subscriber :)

[@vanessamavimpi]

Goho a CC

[@rustyshacklefordjr.1762]

Bro, thesr videos just helped me land my first brokerage analyst job. THANK YOU!!!!!

[@urenda005]

Hello Justin, I am now an analyst working for the ownership and looking to join a top producing brokerage like Cushman. I’ve noticed another job description similar to Analyst is the transaction coordinator of which I have gotten more traction on. But you are right coming up from this direction is much harder and will take another two years to gain production momentum. However, I am grateful for small shop giving me the base understanding of CRE. I agree i would have loved to start from the top and come down, but also agree with a subscriber about knowing someone to get you to start there. If you don’t have a connection, find a small CRE shop!

[@narekpapukyan5455]

Excellent videos, thank you for all of your insight and advice!

[@terrancecollins2696]

Current RE Broker with a degree in Finance and I may have an opportunity to break into CRE…so I love finding videos like this

[@thomasbennett7868]

Thank you for all of your videos helping me through the hiring process as a senior in college. I just accepted a debt originations analyst position with a firm in NYC!

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Great to hear, Thomas!! Huge congrats - good luck with the new role!

[@thomasbennett7868]

@@BreakIntoCRE thank you!!

[@leonelrefujioamador3403]

How’s your journey going ?

[@thomasbennett7868]

@@leonelrefujioamador3403 it’s going great so far! Lots of long hours for sure but I’m brand new so there’s lots to learn. I’ve already been on two site visits and they flew me first class both times!

[@ericbanks5610]

I am choosing between your course and the masimo group , I don’t know which one to take you have a lot of information but I see they are geared more towards sales agents and brokers

[@crazybuildingsCRE]

Thanks for sharing these insights!

[@cedricyoung1025]

Love the video. I was wondering where you are getting your compensation numbers from. I’m currently the Analyst for the top producing broker at CBRE and all in I made $125k. Again really enjoy the content!

[@chrismurtaugh5425]

Needed this sooner

[@neil_sol]

Justin, thanks to your modeling courses I got an offer for an acquisitions analyst(multifamily) in San Francisco! It is a boutique firm so there’s a lot of growth potential and the people seem awesome. I can send you salary information if you want it for your database

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Congrats, Neil! That's huge! Sounds like a great opportunity. Thanks for the offer on the salary data point - feel free to email us at [e-mail] if you'd like to share. Congrats again on landing the role!

[@cbboiii1100]

You can walk into an acquisitions analyst position or did you have experience beforehand?

[@Edward_Thomas_98]

Good info!

[@abualzuaree]

Currently in the process of receiving my license and planning to pursue CRE as a new Agent.

[@virkulous]

can you do a video comparing the roles, companies, hours, pay, etc at sell-side vs. buy-side companies?

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Great feedback - thanks!

[@Ali-ld8wp]

Sands Investment Group for the win.

[@chrizz6665]

Such a good video! Starting at JLL next month!

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Awesome! Congrats!!

[@nathancoombes6773]

How is it going?

[@CarlosLopezPR]

Would be great to see a video on market analysis!

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Thanks, Carlos! I just put out a video on this that you might find helpful - link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqq3hoODobF3Y9U

[@averyrustad7605]

Thanks Justin! - Tibe on Udemy.

[@_daryl]

Awesome video! Would you consider one covering appraisal?

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Great feedback, Daurius! Thank you for the suggestion!

[@MrHuggiekins]

Hey Justin, If I’m trying to possibly end up at a REPE for acquisitions, would you recommend investment sales or capital markets as an entry level position?

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Sometimes these can mean the same thing with an identical job function, but I would go where you'll be representing sellers and listing properties for sale (usually investment sales will be most focused on this task). Good luck!

[@kingyoshiee]

Joined a brokerage as a fresh graduate in their capital markets division a few months ago. For my next step, I am hoping to transition to the principal side but I feel like I am getting very little hands on exposure in financial modelling at my role. I am quite worried that principal side firms would not consider an applicant with self-learnt modelling skills, what do you think? Thanks a lot for your videos btw, been watching them for a while now and definitely helped me land my current job!

[@kurtjohnston6620]

Several really good certifications that would help, this channel goes through them. Would recommend the Real Estate Investments & Finance Certificate that is associated with Peter Linneman (of Linneman and Associates). That being said, depending upon the type of firm you try for, if they are boutique and you bring something special to the table with self taught then they will entertain if you can provide work samples.. Hope this helps and all the best with it.

[@BreakIntoCRE]

I would imagine your on-the-job experience will be seen as extremely valuable, and self-taught modeling skills won't hold you back at most shops. Great to hear the videos have been helpful!

[@kingyoshiee]

@@kurtjohnston6620 will keep that in mind, thanks a lot!

[@vineetjoshi9449]

Hey justin i am working in commercial real estate outsourcing company and i am working on sizing in which I am spreading operating statement and rent roll could you please guide me something which can helpfull for me. Because I don't know much about real estate

[@lofivibes974]

Is it necessary the being in college stuff? Do you really need a degree to have more possibility in succeeding?

[@CPReizner]

Hi! I’m looking to transition to CRE from sales in fashion and feel like even an analyst role might be too senior for me starting out. Do you think a transaction coordinator would be a good entry level job to start out in?

[@JamesEng]

@Chel I would look into a more marketing facing role within a brokerage group to utilize your current skills

[@Woodshadow]

I see the term capital markets thrown around sometimes but I don't really understand what that means

[@JamesEng]

Capital markets - use to mean debt and equity placement, but now even investment sales is called "capital markets" by some firms.

[@ultranoob10]

What about Colliers ?

[@yiyi-py3ew]

Is your job plaster income working right?

[@timothybracken1728]

hi justin, you never got a chance to answer my question. As someone graduating soon and is interested in repe, What entry level role or route would best set me up for success? Besides the IB route

[@benbaker7869]

Timothy - feel free to reach out on LinkedIn if you’d still like to discuss.

[@nebiballa73]

I’m a recent business administration finance major looking to get into the commercial real estate analyst positions. I was wondering you have any advice on getting into this position and anything that differentiate myself from others applying to these jobs. Thanks

[@JamesEng]

@Nebi I would start working at a smaller firm as all of these need help underwriting deals and start trying to add value to the principals or brokers in the group

[@nebiballa73]

@@JamesEng I really appreciate it!

[@benbaker7869]

Nebi - feel free to reach out if you’d still like to discuss. Best of luck.

[@halvora]

What's the most common exit, for those working as an analyst in Valuation & Advisory?

[@JamesEng]

@halvora usually associate, then director, then managing director is the ladder.

[@halvora]

​@@JamesEng Thanks,is it common that those working in valuation go over to brokerage or acquisiton?

[@JamesEng]

@@halvora It depends on your personality and risk tolerance. Most people in appraisal/valuation are salary vs. brokerage/acquisition is typically more commission based pay.

[@goldenduck6109]

@@JamesEng I’m in valuation and we get paid a split of the fee for the report. We def make more as analysts than the major brokerages valuation analysts

[@Millirobbi]

Colliers, bnp paribas, nai apollo, savills, knight frank,

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Also great shops - thanks for the addition, Dennis!

[@coryfugiel9414]

🐐

[@ILikeExoticStuff]

Are any of these analysts Licensed Real Estate Salespersons? If not, how are they ‘closing’ real estate deals?

[@vitsadelhole]

All of them are

[@davontawilliams3958]

I’m a new real estate agent . I don’t know what market to break into residential or commercial? I am located in nyc 🗽

[@vitsadelhole]

Commercial is far higher pay and work, residential is far easier but lower pay

[@hbbstn]

Rough career. Important to make a distinction btw leasing and sales. I wouldn't recommend to anyone.

[@BreakIntoCRE]

Great insight - thanks for the feedback!

[@MrMiniPancakes]

Hahah damn

[@jenny-DD]

Most will not survive

[@AnonYmous-hu6jd]

Every single one of your videos over the last few years is a value-add video… With that said, I would advise any entry level professional to avoid brokerage if possible. Brokerage is the easiest way to get your foot in the door (it’s how I got my start), but if you have another opportunity in Commercial RE go that direction instead. 90% of entry-level kids at top firms have family that’s been involved in real estate, so you probably won’t join a top brokerage team as an analyst. Thus, be prepared for a very low paying, rough and tumble entry into the business. I will say however, if you are able to stick it out for a couple years that you will have a chance to place on the ownership side. TLDR: Tough life, but can be a means to an end.

[@BreakIntoCRE]

I love this - great feedback and I appreciate you sharing your in-the-trenches experience. Thank you!

[@Woodshadow]

What I am hearing is that the entry level kids all had a connection... If you listen to Justin's other videos he set a goal of meeting with two new people every week during his MBA. No one said it would be easy and again if you listen to Justin there are a lot of long hours and a lot of network building in brokerage. So if you are interested in working for a top brokerage you need to be networking all the time during college. If there are kids who have family in real estate you should get to know their family members!

[@MrMiniPancakes]

What analyst is making 200k?? Maybe a junior associate or something.

[@tieduploans2677]

I’m in the business now as a owner, founder & ceo of TiedUpLoans. Llc what will be the advice to give to me on this level