Commercial Real Estate Agents

Let's face it - you cannot intelligently buy commercial real estate properties without the help of an expert. Hiring a commercial real estate agent is your best bet against losing thousands of dollars you'll likely spend, when you make costly mistakes or miss out on solid, commercial real estate investing opportunities. That is why finding and hiring a commercial real estate agent should be your first and most crucial step - it can make or break your commercial real estate venture.

Benefits of hiring commercial real estate agents

Professional commercial real estate agents or broker companies give you access to the best commercial real estate information available. They provide you with information about the latest sales price data, vacancy and absorption rates and comparative tax and labor costs to help you make informed decisions.

Experienced commercial real estate brokers can also help explain to you the present market lease trends, the current demographics, and they will give you a straightforward competitive analysis of different commercial properties that fit your purpose and budget. Professional commercial real estate agents or broker companies give you all this information so that you can anticipate opportunities, gain a competitive advantage and implement the best possible real estate approach.

If you plan to build commercial real estate, an agent can help you determine the best location using scientific local market data and a keen knowledge of the economic trends that affect the commercial real estate market. These agents are specially trained to handle very large transactions - millions upon millions of dollars. Their purpose is to find investments that will not only increase in value, but also give the investor a good revenue stream.

Never try to invest in commercial real estate property without consulting a commercial real estate agent. He or she will have the right training to impart helpful research, advisory and transaction services to you so that your commercial real estate venture goes smoothly.

Commercial Real Estate provides detailed information on Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate Loans, Commercial Real Estate Agents, Commercial Real Estate Brokers and more. Commercial Real Estate is affiliated with National Association Of Realtors [http://www.Realtors-Web.com].

Why Your Commercial Real Estate Broker Doesn't Find You Deals

Here they come....the emails you've been waiting for. You open them. You see a pattern. These commercial property listings are all the same. You choke it up to the fact that you contacted the commercial real estate brokers at the same time and they're sending you what's available on the market. A few weeks go by, and the investment property sales lists dwindle and no agents are calling. What happened?

You're every commercial broker's business and no broker's responsibility.

Rewind a few weeks. You're a commercial real estate broker. You receive a phone call from an investor who's looking for a good deal in your market. He wants you to send him a good investment property to buy, so keep your eyes open and start hunting. You want a commission right?

Well, sure. But here's the catch. You get at least one phone call like that every day. You're asked to find a good deal for this investor, maybe go hunting for him, and start sending him listings. He's probably not a hot horse who's going to buy a property off the first list you send him and he's likely having the same conversation with other investment property brokers in your market.

He's everyone's business and no one's responsibility.

You add him to your database. Maybe you put him in your email distribution list and figure that something might happen, but if not, you may get a call one day when he has a property he needs to lease or sell is commercial property.

After a few weeks, you stop sending him lists of investment properties for sale because you've also been asked by 15-20 other investors in the same period of time to do the same activity. Somehow, they think you're out there working for them, too, because they're getting the same listings as everyone else. What they don't know is that no commercial broker's out there hunting, they're just entering a search and clicking the send button.

You've been selling investment properties long enough to know that most of these calls are a fool's errand. The promise of a commission looms on the horizon, but you know you're going to have to spend more in time and resources to maybe get that commission than you'll likely earn, plus you have no commitment from any one investor that they'll honor your commission if you bring them a commercial real estate investment opportunity. Pretty risky if you're a broker. You decide you're better served investing in those who have hired you to help them acquire and dispose of investment property.

Ultimately, as an investor, ask yourself, when you repeat the same behaviors as everyone else by calling a bunch of brokers to tell them what you want, should you expect an outcome that's different than everyone else who's doing the same?

The next time you're on the phone with a commercial broker, try asking him how many calls he's had from investors "looking for a good deal" in the last 30 days. Then ask him how many of those investors he's spoken to after the initial conversation. Chances are you already know the answer.

To get different results than everyone else, change your approach. Ask your investment property brokers how many investors they're representing. The ones who have clients are getting deals done, while the ones who aren't....well, just check your email box for the latest commercial property listings.

By taking a different approach and employing an investment property broker to execute a search and acquisition on your behalf, you may be delighted that when you become someone's responsibility, you're everyone's envy.

Jeremy Cyrier, CCIM believes that actions without meaning are worthless. He is the President of MANSARD, a Massachusetts commercial real estate marketing and brokerage firm and is a member of the CCIM Institute faculty. You may reach Jeremy at Jeremy@Mansardcre.com or at http://www.masscommercialproperties.com.

Why Commercial Real Estate Brokers Are Worth Every Penny

Some clients in commercial real estate are unaware that they have a problem with their property, or do not really know or can define specifically what the problem is. They struggle to find the way ahead; they do not really know or will admit that they cannot get themselves out of a property problem.

Do you think there are some businesses and property owners out there at the moment with problems? Of course there are, and you as the real estate agent or broker have to be the relief to the property pain. You can only be so when you really know what you are doing. That means a really good knowledge of property types, leases, and rents, building costs, regional demographics, and operating costs.

It is not sufficient to think you know how to sell or lease a property. That skill is not enough as most other agents will think the same. After coaching agents for many years, I know that the reality is most of your competition is very ordinary in knowledge and property understanding. That is the leverage you should work with to generate a massive real estate sales and leasing business. Serve your clients as the best choice in the industry. Is that hard? Perhaps it takes more personal effort and certainly more study, but the rewards are significant.

Let's just look at the types of clients you could have for a moment; they are landlords, business owners, tenants, and investors. Within those groups you have differing relationships to the property improvements, rent, lease, location, operating costs, tenancy mix, and the list goes on. So what do you know about these things? What should you do?

Become an expert in every sense of the word. Supply the best and most important information about property that you can for the client. Make sure that you are better than the rest of the real estate people in the local area. Become the property strategist and not just a salesperson; know what are the real reasons for a sale or lease, and help the client understand them. Provide the best timings to use in the sale or lease processes.

The problems and challenges that these client groups have are radically different than each other. Your solutions and responses should be set accordingly. The best model for a real estate agent or broker in a client relationship is to become an advisor that is trusted. Your knowledge should stand head and shoulders above the rest. There are three stages to the process.

Seek to become the clients trusted advisor from the outset. This means building the relationship before the client really wants to do something with their property. Prospecting is essential every day of your business life. Your database is the tool to progress.
Get the client to agree that there is a need with their property or business. Knowledge of the property types, performance issues, lease strategies, development alternatives, tenant mix alternatives, are just some of the things to learn.
Plan your solutions around the problems. When the client fully understands the problems that you have identified with the property, and that you really know what you are doing, the choice of property agent becomes an obvious choice.

Stop thinking that as an agent you must discount your commission, or pay all the advertising costs for the client just to win the new business. These clients are not the ones you want. In most cases they are the hardest to deal with because their motivation is 'cheap'. Logical decisions are not part of their mindset and negotiations are therefore harder with these clients. More often than not the listing does not sell because the client will not listen to the market trends and choices (they think they know better). Time does invariably take care of these unreasonable clients, with no sale resulting and a distressed property sale or lease later on. You can then move back into the picture to offer your special services.

Be the best real estate agent out there and make sure your clients know it. Chase the quality listings owned by quality clients that will listen to the market trends and choices that you offer.

John Highman is an expert in investment real estate strategy, property performance, and tenant mix analysis and strategy. He is an author and coach that helps property investors, and real estate agents improve their retail, industrial, and commercial real estate opportunities and targets.

John has specialised in major commercial, industrial, and retail property for over 30 years. He knows what works and what doesn't. He gives you the 'good oil' on getting active and achieving results.

You can get John Highman's free tips and tools in commercial, industrial, and retail property at http://www.commercial-realestate-training.com

9 Reasons For Hiring an Exclusive Real Estate Broker

The following are 9 reasons why you can financially benefit by retaining an experienced broker as your agent. A broker with many years of experience can help you objectively evaluate all the alternatives without potentially self-serving points of view. A broker's market knowledge is a critical factor in assuring you will be submitted all the available properties for your consideration. Maximize your broker's knowledge base by having them focus on you.

Accountability

Your own broker is directly accountable to you. You will not receive as much responsiveness, dedication and accountability with a non-exclusive broker.

Added Value at No Cost

Think of the real estate broker as your very own real estate department without paying for it. The owner of the property typically compensates the real estate broker. Most owners already have included a real estate fee in their leasing plan for the property.

Broker Selection

Using an exclusive broker allows you to select and retain the best professional available. Consider interviewing at least three (3) brokers prior to the relocation project. Your broker of choice may not be the broker that has been currently calling on you. Retain the real estate professional with the best track record in the area, regardless whether or not they're the first in the door.

Indicates a Serious Prospect

Hiring an your own agent will indicate to the owner's and brokerage community that you are a serious prospect. This may place you at the head of the pack if you find yourself competing for a property.

Negotiating Experience

The experience of a broker in negotiating a lease or purchase will result in obtaining better terms and conditions for you. The broker's "deal making experience" is vital to you achieving your economic goals.

Efficiency/ Minimizes Legal Entanglements

An exclusive broker provides you with a single point of contact. Without an exclusive broker you are faced with wasting your valuable time screening a multitude of brokers, ownership calls and or proposals.

Extensive Industry Contacts

An experienced broker will have extensive contacts with the owners of properties, vendors/contractors, and the brokerage community. These long term contacts in the industry will save you time and money.

Lease Ownership Analysis

A knowledgeable broker has the financial analysis tools and access to information which will help you evaluate the best real estate solution for your company.

Selection and Coordination of Space and Design Firms.

An exclusive broker can assist you in the selection and coordination of space planning and design firms.

use of your own agent ill maximize the leverage you will need to strategically plan and relocate your facility at the best economic terms and conditions possible. Your relocation will be fully documented and best of all, most of the time the property owner pays the commission. An experienced exclusive broker with a "deep bench of contacts" on your team could potentially save your company well above a hundred thousand dollars ( $100,000) against the bottom line. TRY USING AN EXCLUSIVE BROKER ON YOUR NEXT LEASE OR PURCHASE.

For more information on this article, Please Contact:
Dan Weil
(310) 792-9400
dan@weilcommercial.com

Market Knowledge
Since 1981 Dan Weil worked as an industrial real estate broker in the greater Los Angeles area at 2 major commercial real estate firms and in 2002 started his own firm Weil Commercial Properties, Inc. Dan offers 27 years of experience with many long term client relationships. For assistance with your commercial industrial need, please contact Dan at 310 792-9400 or visit the web site at: http://www.weilcommercial.com/resources.html

Commercial tenants Guide to selecting the best commercial real estate broker

Choosing the right real estate professional is the first and most important decision you will need to make when embarking on the commercial real estate leasing, lease renewal negotiating, subleasing or buying process.

As a prospective buyer or tenant of commercial real estate, it's important to take advantage of the valuable service a professional real estate advisor can add to a process can quickly become risky, expensive and time consuming. Like any large business undertaking, failure to seek professional advice on an area outside of your expertise may lead to misinformed decision making that will place your business at risk and certainly the lack of market knowledge and negotiating expertise to extract the maximum concessions from a transaction.

Fortunately however, most business owners are only faced with a corporate real estate transaction or challenge every couple of years. That being said, if you don't already have one, how do you go about choosing a commercial real estate advisor who's qualified to achieve your goals? And if you do, how do you determine your current representative is up to the job this time around?

Below are eight hard and fast rules to thoroughly consider for choosing the best commercial real estate advisor for the job:

1. Choose a broker who will represent your best interests, not the landlord's or seller's, to avoid a Dual Agency situation.

First and foremost, choose a broker without the conflicts of interest associated with representing landlords and sellers. And whatever you do, don't choose the landlord's/buyer's broker to represent you! While this may seem obvious, it's the biggest mistake tenants and buyers make, often perpetuated by the listing broker who may claim you will save money because they don't need to pay your representative and you will save time as you can negotiate direct. It's important to understand the listing broker is motivated to create a dual agency situation because he will receive the entire fee for negotiating against you, the tenant or buyer, who lacks his negotiating expertise and market knowledge. Hence the landlord wins, you get a raw deal and can only hope that the listing broker assists you with the often time consuming tenant improvement and relocation process once the deal is closed and he's been paid.

While dual agency is perfectly legal in California and can sometimes result in a fair outcome, it is fraught with potential conflicts that must be managed by the broker to protect the best interests of both parties to the transaction and himself. Quite frankly, no matter how convinced the listing broker is that he can avoid conflicts of interest in a dual agency situation, it's practically impossible to do so. Thus, choosing a buyer/tenant representation specialist is essential to achieve optimum results. In doing so, you instantly avoid the conflict of interest risk and can be confident that you have an expert on your side (not the landlord's!) that will work hard and provide the expertise and knowledge to understand and achieve your needs and represent your best interests only. Would you hire the same attorney as your adversary to represent you in a lawsuit? Of course you wouldn't. Hiring a real estate representative should be treated in the same fashion.

2. Choose a broker who is a specialist in Tenant/Buyer Representation

Besides not having conflicts of interest to manage, a specialist in tenant/buyer representation provides many other services exclusive to his specialty and will provide a much higher level of service and commitment than a generalist that represents both landlords and tenants. With depth of experience and expertise in specializing in representing tenants comes the wisdom to apply the knowledge, tools and resources to achieve your objectives and to serve your best interests. A specialist will also likely be able to dedicate more time and energy to serving your needs than a broker that represents both landlords and tenants. They will not be overwhelmed with having to juggle as many transactions and constantly preparing time consuming marketing reports to landlords. They'll also be there for you to project manage any tenant improvements and facility needs you have either immediately after the transaction has closed or at any time during your lease.

3. Choose a broker who has experience in your immediate area.

There is no substitute for true market knowledge; knowledge, which can only be gained through extensive transaction experience in a defined geographic area. It is, quite simply, the only way to acquire the market 'intelligence' required to drive the hardest bargain for a tenant or buyer. An experienced tenant/buyer representation specialist who works in your target market knows not only what is available in your market before anyone else, they know every landlord's negotiating strategy, motivations, financial constraints, operating expenses and other key information he can use to your advantage. Be careful of tenant/buyer representatives who don't specialize geographically. They don't have the required market knowledge to get you the best terms, and must rely on unreliable and incomplete third party databases for market data.

4. Choose a broker who has experience in your particular product type.

The importance of specialization also applies to the type of property contemplated in the lease or sale transaction. There are stark differences between industrial, office and retail properties. The physical aspects of each are substantially different, as are the lease structures, term, conditions and operating expenses, among other things. For example, a full service gross office lease is a completely different challenge than a single tenant industrial triple net lease. So, make sure that the real estate advisor you choose has a track record of handling transactions like yours.

5. Choose a broker who has experience representing your type of business

Understanding how your business utilizes space and its specific operational requirements, as well as how your space requirements may change in the future, is an important component in choosing your next location. A broker who has experience in representing businesses like yours in your industry and location will help streamline the process of finding the right property, especially if your operation requires specialized improvements, proximity to other service providers or regulatory approvals. If your real estate broker does not possess a complete understanding of what you do, valuable time could be wasted and opportunities may be lost. The first thing your commercial real estate advisor should do is ensure he fully understands your business and, in turn, your real estate needs. Experience in representing similar companies will expedite this process and may even be able to offer valuable recommendations you hadn't considered.

6. Choose a broker who has a clearly defined process for achieving your needs and a high level of accountability to you throughout that process.

While every real estate transaction will have its unique challenges, the commercial real estate advisor you choose should demonstrate to you that they employ a logical, step-by-step process for handling your assignment. Unexpected surprises will be minimized if your broker handles the mechanical aspects of your transaction in sequence and in timely fashion before moving to the next step. As important as the process is, your broker should have a way of holding himself accountable to you as the transaction progresses, so that you are assured that nothing is overlooked and your interests are being thoroughly served from start to finish. Surprises are great at parties, but not in real estate transactions.

7. Choose a broker who has the necessary tools and support to give you the highest level of service.

Having the best information at your disposal is a key element in the making of a good real estate decision. Knowledge is power and, as such, your broker should have access to the best market information, analytical tools and human resources available to assist him in executing the transaction on your behalf. Ask for a list of these resources with an eye for their relevance to your requirement. The best real estate advisors at the top brokerages have access to the best resources and the most in-depth and timely information and they know how to use these tools to your advantage throughout the real estate process.

8. Choose a broker who you trust and you connect with on a personal level.

Choosing a real estate advisor with all the skills, experience and expertise for achieving your real estate needs is all well and good but don't overlook the personal touch. We all naturally associate with people we like and have something in common with. Once you've selected who you believe can best represent your needs, be sure you both get to know each other on a personal level as best as possible. With good instincts this shouldn't take long. If you and your real estate advisor get on great, not only will you both gain each other's trust, but your representative will likely have a higher level of commitment to you on an emotional level and will want to work harder for you than if you were just another one of his clients.

Finally, when a real estate advisor claims they are the most qualified for the task at hand, don't necessarily take their word for it. Always ask for references and to see case studies that clearly demonstrate their claims. Don't hire a real estate advisor unless they can prove they've achieved great results for someone like you!

You can click HERE to view some of our clients' success stories.

For free advice, a no-obligation consultation or lease audit to determine the cost-savings and real estate strategies available to you, call Stefan Rogers direct: (949) 263 5362.

By Stefan Rogers, MRICS: (949) 263 5362
srogers@voitco.com
Voit Commercial Tenant Solutions is part of Voit Real Estate Services - 2020 Main Street, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92614

Our corporate real estate services provide strategies and solutions that optimize business growth and profitability, maximize time and money savings, and minimize exposure to risk.
http://www.voitcts.com

Where to Go For Commercial Real Estate Training

Commercial real estate has been hugely successful for many people. Big names that come to mind are Trump and Zell are just two names that come to mind who have made billions in commercial real estate. The question becomes, with all of the complexities involved in large property transactions, where does someone go to train to be a commercial real estate broker?

This article will talk about some of the sources for training in this field that will help people get practical experience and understanding of how the commercial real estate market works.

Your best source of training for commercial property is to find entry level work in a successful commercial real estate company. It doesn't really matter if it is a receptionist position or working in the mailroom. Just being surrounded by the conversations involved the buying and selling process will give you a first class education in the intricacies of a transaction. It is a great way to get first hand experience while you complete your formal training and will help build your resume for future jobs in higher level positions.

Degrees to consider for future commercial brokers are law degrees and MBA programs with a focus on finance. Commercial transactions require extensive detailed contracts concerning the exchange of incredibly expensive property or multi year leasing agreements. With that in mind, an understanding of the law or the ability to structure beneficial financing packages will have a huge effect on your success as a broker.

For those that do not wish to go the formal education route, sales experience is a must and can be much more highly prized than a degree. The truth is that several people can handle the technical side of a commercial transaction, but the ability to bring parties together and reach amicable agreements is a talent that will make a commercial real estate broker very successful. Take a sales training class to sharpen your skills and get out in the real world of sales to learn how to overcome objections and make a deal work.

Finally, you need to find a professional commercial real estate training center that will educate you and take you through the licensing process. Continuing education is the name of this game as will not only need a commercial broker license, but need to constantly keep up to date on new best real estate practices, so that you can be a leader in your field.

Commercial real estate training is a constant and evolving process that once starts will never stop. As you learn to become a broker, your understanding of the business world will grow as your income increases. Take the time for serious training early on and you will reap the rewards for years to come.

James provides information about commercial real estate training [http://franklinmastersinstitute.com/commercial-real-estate-training/] through his website on real estate training [http://franklinmastersinstitute.com/].

A Killer Prospecting Model for Commercial Real Estate Brokers

Do you want more commissions and listings? You simply have to be great at prospecting and cold calling. The rest of your business will follow.

Guess what? Most real estate agents and brokers are not sufficiently disciplined to do the right levels of prospecting on a daily basis. That is the most significant opportunity that exists in the property industry; you just have to be better than the rest at prospecting. Sure listing, negotiating, and closing are other important skills, but they will come as a natural by-product of prospecting.

Focus on cold calling and prospecting. So how do you do this? You set some prospecting rules and you start practice. The words 'rules' and 'practice' are another couple of problem words for many in the industry. Many struggle with doing both.

So let's get away from the negative and presume you have the determination, the focus, and the drive to prospect for new business on a daily basis. Here is a 'killer prospecting model' that really works. The rest will be up to you. This model takes 3 hours a day, 5 days per week.

There are no gaps and Saturdays and Sundays are the only days off in the prospecting process. That is the first rule; probably the most important.
The second rule in the process is that you must prospect on the telephone in the morning because after that you will be distracted by other things and not stick to it. Without going deeply into it, there are established facts of personal performance in business that show the morning is the right time to do prospecting.
Get away from setting any meetings in the morning. Tell the boss that you prospect at that time and that you would prefer to set meetings with him and anyone else in the afternoons. Even meetings with clients and prospects should not occur in the morning unless it is an absolute necessity. The only reason to break the rule is if the meeting is for an active deal that is closing.
The 3 hours of prospecting each day in the office is done from the telephone. In commercial real estate you are predominantly dealing with business people and they generally will take your call if commercial real estate is an issue for them. If it is not an issue then you simply move on. Do not set up a meeting with someone who has no interest; remember that your time is precious.
Drop the cold calling scripts and use your own words; that will be the way you will feel comfortable with the process. Use trigger words to flow the discussion, but do not use scripts as the listener will sense the processes and turn off.
Know that it takes you about 20 minutes of cold calling every day to get the process into momentum. Once you are through the 20 minutes you must keep going and not stop for 2.5 hours. In that way you will make progress.
Find a quiet place to make your calls so that you can focus without distraction. Your success in tele-prospecting depends on it.
Research your call list the night before so you do not waste critical call time in research. This is critical to the call process.
Create a series of simple forms to use in the call process so that you can capture the results later in the database. You must not stop the call momentum.
Try to contact 10 new people on the telephone each day. If they are not in the office when you call then simply make a note to call back. You should be able to make 50 calls in 3 hours.
Your only reason for calling prospects is to see if they have a need or an interest in commercial property. When you really understand that yourself, then the calls will be easier and the quality of the discussion will be higher.
Have a great database to record everything. Use something that you are comfortable with. At the basic end of the database alternatives you can use Microsoft Outlook, or Access. Both are useful, low cost and user friendly. When you want to move to something more relevant to the property industry you can spend many hundreds dollars; personally I believe you can do very well with the basics providing you know how to use a computer well (in that you have no choice).

These are the rules that you need to set in your cold call prospecting. After you set the rules, you start the practice and you will need to do that for a couple of weeks until things are moving well. To your success in commercial real estate prospecting!

John Highman is an expert coach in investment real estate, property performance, and tenant mix analysis for Real Estate Agents and Brokers. Learn about real performance opportunities here at http://www.commercial-realestate-training.com/sign-up-here.html

John helps brokers, and real estate agents improve their listing opportunities and commission targets. He has personally specialised in major commercial, industrial, and retail property for over 30 years and knows what works and what doesn't. Get John Highman's free tips and tools in commercial, industrial, and retail property at http://www.commercial-realestate-training.com