Starting your own commercial real estate firm requires time, lots of work and training. While the laws will vary in each state, starting a realty firm is usually a process that can take about two years.
Before you set out starting your own business, you have to be a licensed sales agent then a licensed real estate broker. However, starting your own brokerage firm requires some street smarts. The tips below will help you start a successful commercial real estate firm.
Know The Difference Between Brokerage And The “Business of Brokerage”
Many brokers think that just because they have been successful in leasing or selling properties they should immediately jump on the wagon of opening their very own brokerage firm.
A short time into their new venture, reality sets in for the brokers as they find out they require different set of skills, in addition to brokering. These skills include risk management, file management, accounting, operations, research tools, insurance analysis and needs, independent and employment contractor agreements, employment policies, and regulatory compliance.
In addition to selling or leasing, running a realty firm involves a host of responsibilities. Some of the responsibilities include putting into play measures that can help in managing debt for realty firms by using services like credit counseling.
Furthermore, the new realty business owners find out that all the activities that go into running the office eventually take them away from being able to lease or sell properties personally.
Set Up A System
One of the most important things you should know is that you and your agents should not be spending copious amounts of time re-inventing the wheel whenever a project comes in. Instead, create a standardized process that will help you underwrite or analyze, convert to a presentation for your client, and then convert this output for your marketing materials. Without a standardized process, your team will inevitably be spending too much time on non-income generating activities when it comes to every assignment.
Invest In Your Processes
Make sure you plan for investing on anything you need to run your business successfully – for example training, online resource, insurance, software, hardware and others. Also, take into consideration that you get an appropriate office space your clientele will instantly relate and identify with. Do not forget to take care of the legalities as well and take time to research on partner businesses like Amerinote Xchange that can help you succeed.
Speaking with the right attorneys will help you set up your entities for liability and tax purposes. Unlike the time you worked as a broker, the revenue or the commission you are generating in your new business is no longer profitable. The investments you are making, count significantly as they help you generate revenue while also eating away at your profits.
Appreciate Your Competitors
Whenever you make negative or derogatory remarks about your competition, your clients see this as a sign they are a threat to you. Keep in mind the old adage, “If you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all.” However, this doesn’t mean you have to be over flattering or complimentary about your competitors; it just means you should be gracious when commenting on your competitor – then outperform them!
Know What Sets Your Business Apart
As a broker, if you cannot give three good reasons why anyone should buy or lease a property, you probably should not be marketing it. This mantra also rings true in your business – if you can’t clearly articulate three reasons why clients should choose your business over the competition, you probably shouldn’t be running your own business!