What Does a Commercial Real Estate Agent Do? [Explained]

What Does a Commercial Real Estate Agent Do?

A Commercial Real Estate Agent (CRE Agent) specializes in helping businesses, professionals, and investors buy, sell, or lease properties for commercial use. These properties include office spaces, retail stores, warehouses, hotels, and industrial buildings.

The primary responsibilities of a commercial real estate agent include:

• Helping Clients Find Properties – Assisting businesses and investors in locating office spaces, retail locations, or other commercial properties that meet their needs.
• Negotiating Deals – Acting as an intermediary between buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants to secure the best terms for all parties.
• Market Research & Analysis – Studying property values, area demographics, and market trends to provide clients with valuable insights.
• Property Inspections & Due Diligence – Ensuring that commercial spaces meet legal, zoning, and business requirements before transactions take place.
• Marketing & Networking – Promoting properties, connecting with potential clients, and generating leads through business relationships and outreach efforts.
• Contract & Transaction Management – Drafting and reviewing legal agreements, ensuring compliance, and facilitating smooth transactions.

Unlike residential agents, commercial real estate agents often deal with larger transactions, longer sales cycles, and more complex negotiations. Some agents may specialize in medical spaces, retail developments, or industrial properties.

Those with advanced experience and licensing may become commercial real estate brokers, who oversee larger deals and provide in-depth financial expertise.

How Much Do Commercial Real Estate Professionals Charge?

Agents charge between 4% and 8% of the sale price for commercial real estate sales. The commission rate depends on a property’s square footage and price per square foot. As a result, larger properties mean higher earnings for commercial agents.

Requirements to Become a Commercial Real Estate Agent

If you plan to work with a commercial real estate broker or become one for extra income, here are the requirements for a legitimate agent or broker.

• Necessary Education: The Bureau of Labor Statistics and most firms require a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree. Ideal degrees or courses include commercial real estate, finance, economics, business administration, and statistics.
• Real Estate License: All commercial and residential agents must pass the state license exam and acquire a license to make transactions.
• Brokerage: Some states require agents to join a brokerage for continuous educational courses, training, mentorship, and network building.
• Real Estate Association: Some firms require agents to join a state or national association, like the National Association of Realtors (NAR), for increased credibility, network-building, training opportunities, resources, and other professional benefits.

The requirements and process to become a commercial real estate agent vary per state or city.

Check your local area’s requirements and processes for more details.

What Skills Should Commercial Agents Possess?

Besides the credentials and experience, here are some traits and skills that a good commercial real estate agent should have.

• Numerical and Analytical Skills: Since commercial real estate is data-focused, the agent must be able to analyze data and calculate large numbers.
• Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Successful agents can easily connect and build rapport with various individuals, even in a fast-paced environment. This includes good speaking and listening abilities.
• Negotiation Skills: The commercial real estate world involves intense negotiations, so a good agent must be persuasive, open-minded, and adaptable to close commercial deals.
• Project Management: Effective commercial brokers or agents possess developed organization and scheduling skills to help them manage properties, schedules, appointments, and clients simultaneously.
• Networking and Prospecting: A commercial real estate broker must be skilled in finding potential clients, connecting with them, and building a solid client base.
• Market Knowledge: Agents must stay updated with the latest market conditions, laws, and trends.

Should You Work with a Commercial Real Estate Broker?

If you’re a physician planning to start your medical practice, consider working with a commercial real estate broker or agent to help you find your ideal location within your budget.

They can also guide you if you want to sell commercial properties or invest in real estate, a profitable passive income for doctors.

Ultimately, working with a commercial broker or agent specializing in helping healthcare professionals can help you buy, lease, or sell a space that aligns with safety standards, building codes, licensing and certification requirements, health privacy laws, and more.

Should You Become a Commercial Real Estate Agent?

Commercial real estate can be a lucrative career if you have the skills, credentials, experience, and network.

If you’re a doctor thinking of entering real estate part-time or transitioning to this industry, ensure that you understand the field and lifestyle required.

Although agents generally have flexible schedules, you may have to work long hours. Also, despite the high income potential, you can’t earn anything if you don’t manage to close deals successfully.

Consider the pros and cons carefully and see if it suits your financial needs, career goals, and lifestyle.

Plan Your Next Steps with Physicians Thrive

If you want to enter into commercial real estate as an agent, investor, buyer, or seller, consider seeking help from experts who know the industry’s ins and outs.

Physicians Thrive offers holistic planning services catered to physicians.

Whether you want to manage your finances, sell commercial real estate, start your own practice, or prepare for retirement, our experts can help you plan your next steps and build your future.

Contact our team today and explore how you can thrive with us!