By Progressive Real Estate Partners

5. CRE is a Revolving Door
Too often, people are bored with their 9-to-5 paper pushing jobs; probably because they stopped learning—and as soon as they stopped learning, they stopped growing. In the commercial real estate world, the education train never stops. Whether it’s learning about an emerging (or submerging) tenant/buyer, or helping a center blossom into a retail utopia, there’s never a dull moment in CRE.

4. Oh, The People You’ll Meet!
Interesting personalities are as common as taxis in Times Square—they’re everywhere! Some might have you rolling with laughter, while others have you scratching your head, but the diversity in CRE is what adds to the excitement of this career and even adds some zest in life to give you plenty of stories to tell and compelling moments to experience.

3. Working with Positive People
We’ve all had that job: your co-workers are Debbie Downer, Glum Chum, Negative Nancy and your boss is Johnny Raincloud. Suddenly their pessimistic perspectives begin to eat you alive. It’s been weeks since you’ve cracked a smile and maybe even months or years since you’ve really enjoyed your job and the company of your co-workers.
Commercial real estate brokers in general, are happy and optimistic workers because nearly everyone playing in the game (brokers, buyers, sellers, etc.) truly believes that he or she will be successful, and even if the market takes a nose dive, which it has, chances are they believe, everything will turn out fine in the end.

2. Money (If We’re Being Honest)
Sure, it’s the root of all evil, but money makes the world go ‘round and it certainly doesn’t grow on trees. In CRE, your income is directly related to your success in the business. According to salary.com, a broker can expect to earn an annual income from $200,000 to $500,000. Even during a down year, one can expect to pull in anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000. But like any industry, or anything in life for that matter, money should not be your primary motivator. Truth be told, if you’re considering a career in commercial real estate only for the greenery, it might take you longer to achieve your success versus someone who genuinely loves the work and treats the paycheck as an added incentive.

1. Bonding with Family (If We’re Really Being Honest)
I think we can all agree that time and life is precious. When providing for your family, it can be hard to take the time off work to attend a school or family function. Instead, we keep working thinking there’s plenty of time to spare. Meanwhile, your children and you get older, and before you know it, it’s too late to make up for lost time— “Cat’s in the Craddle” anyone? Although CRE requires a lot of hard work and long hours, the business gives tremendous flexibility. It is not uncommon for a broker to leave in the middle of the day to coach a little league game or take his child to the doctor. Among the perks of being a CRE broker, the opportunity to spend time with loved ones is perhaps the most rewarding.