Looking to network in Denver, multifam (6-75 units)
I am a residential agent whose client base has been growing and shifting toward the commercial side. Started out with some duplexes, 4plexes, and so on. Closed a 10plex at the end of last year, and my buyers are wanting to keep pushing upward to larger deals. The transition has been happening at a slow enough pace that I feel comfortable with my skillset in the 6-25 unit range, though they have voiced an interest in starting to look beyond that into larger properties later on this year. 

As such, I have about 6 months to build relationships with the commercial guys in my area and do a ton of research to see what else we need to consider on the larger complexes. I am well aware that the majority of commercial deals don't make it to the MLS (I am a member of the commercial MLS as well) so I have been leaning fairly hard on the commercial agent I closed with last year to try to get first pick (okay, second pick after his clients) of the properties on his roster. 

I have managed to make it in front of several other of the commercial agents in town by way of asking questions about some of their listings as I ran numbers to see if the deal would work for my clients, but I don't imagine they remember me from such minute interactions. So I suppose the question is, if you are a commercial agent, what is the best way for me to be taken seriously? I'd like to close a couple more smallish commercial deals between now and August when we will ramp up, as I imagine that is truly the best way to be credible. In the event that is not possible, are there any good ways to get on their minds to send me properties?

If anyone here is a Denver-area commercial agent who deals with multifam, I would love to get together for coffee and pick your brain.
[{"id": "hxc0439", "text": "Honestly, ask them good questions. Most CRE Brokers will gladly talk to someone who has a good client base that wants to move up. Ask them about their numbers, how accurate(current or past), what the proforma forecast is, and why the owners is exiting the asset. All these questions will open up a solid rapport with that listing broker and teach you about the asset and valuation. But\u2026Please tell me what is your commercial mls?", "replies": [{"id": "hxc39pf", "text": "Thanks! That makes sense that asking intelligent questions is a good start, and I have certainly learned some things just from talking to the listing agents and reading OM over the past year. The commercial MLS here is Catylist.", "replies": [{"id": "hxdopak", "text": "I am not familiar with Catylist, but you are right in assuming that most deals are not listed anywhere(MLS). Costar has improved over the years, but still lacking a ton. Crexi is limited, and LoopNet is the costar family free side. Most CRE brokerages will make you build a database and actively outbound market it. Calls, email, mailers, etc. \nI have spent many of my 21+years in real estate in the CRE area. You create your network and maintain it. Honesty and determination will get you plenty. Learning about finance and models to hold assets, will help you speak to owners and investor groups. Being connected with commercial loan officers will also help you a ton. All people will gladly help you, because we all started the green at one point. Dm me for more if you want", "replies": [{"id": "hxdx8f7", "text": "Thank you! Catylist is the industry-facing side of Commercial Exchange. It's owned by Moody's. \n\nI may very well send you a DM, thanks for your help.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}, {"id": "hxebxcz", "text": "Newb question: do you build the list from all of these sources or is there one that works better than others? Maybe a better question, what\u2019s the best way to build this list?", "replies": [{"id": "hxk1wi6", "text": "Multiple ways to attack this, but most brokerages will scrape the city data of owners in commercial buildings. Then you have compile different asset classes, then you find current and relevant contact information, then you separate by zip code, then you outbound market forever. There are database sources that you pay for\u2026costar, Reis, reonomy\u2026etc Or just go completely old fashioned and do it guerrilla warfare style through the city.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hxc49sm", "text": "My sister is a commercial agent in that area.\nHonestly, if you are residential and it\u2019s only one commercial deal without you moving up to be a commercial agent it\u2019s not worth the cost. Just flip it to a commercial agent and take 25%.", "replies": [{"id": "hxc6toy", "text": "I hear what you are saying, but this is not just one deal. It's the trajectory of my business. I don't think it makes sense for me to move to a commercial brokerage quite yet, but that's a direction I am considering.", "replies": [{"id": "hxcfc1i", "text": "Go get signed up for CCIM then. Start going to commercial meetings in your area. Look at the costs of advertising properties.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hxc5pty", "text": "SVN Denver, Pinnacle, and any of the big guys are all there", "replies": [{"id": "hxc7004", "text": "I know? I'm not short on names of commercial brokerages, just trying to figure how to make them take me seriously when I inquire on their properties and submit an offer.", "replies": [{"id": "hxc9ox1", "text": "Can you find a way to 1031 exchange one of the multi family properties into one of their listings?", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hxe2n8i", "text": "I\u2019m a commercial appraiser in the Denver area. Honestly very few apartment deals are on REColorado (Denver MLS) you\u2019d be better off looking at CoStar/Loopnet. Though some brokers just advertise exclusively through their own offices.", "replies": [{"id": "hxe86mu", "text": "I'm on Catylist, but not CoStar. Have you used Catylist? It's the one tied to DMCAR, so I assumed it was the best bet, but I admit the listings seem a bit sparse (could be the market, though). Maybe I need to switch to CoStar. I'm well aware that these wouldn't be in REColorado.", "replies": [{"id": "hxe91hb", "text": "I\u2019ve seen Catalyst, was intrigued by it, but after asking commercial brokers where their listings were (for comp verification) catalyst never came up as a source, so I just never pursued subscribing to it. I have learned though that most are either on CoStar, or listed through the brokers office. I might see one every now and then on REColorado. If you are looking at other front range markets, you\u2019ll find a decent amount on their local mls (pikes peak mls - Colorado Springs or IRES - northern Colorado)", "replies": [{"id": "hxe9exv", "text": "Thanks for that info, I'll look into CoStar for sure, then.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hxenmge", "text": "Do you have the ability to go get your own multi-family listings to sell to your clients? If you can\u2019t then you probably aren\u2019t the best conduit for your clients to source deals, as most multi-fam transactions don\u2019t make it out of the listing office. If you\u2019re confident in your literacy in this space make some phone calls and start building a business rather than trying to sell your clients on someone else\u2019s leftovers.  I don\u2019t try to buyer rep on MF right now because my guy\u2019s offer would just get shopped if it\u2019s not my listing or a friendly competitor. Im just honest and tell them their best chance of success would be to call the listing office and my best way of serving their interest is to help with any advice along the way.", "replies": [{"id": "hxeoi49", "text": "A valid point. I don't know that I could drum up the listings of the size that my buyer is thinking. Is co-op amongst CRE agents really that rare? And no client loyalty if they want to see all the options. It seems a little wild to me that in order to get the property, the buyer pretty much needs to give up having their own representation. Dual agency is illegal in Colorado because the real estate commission recognizes that it's impossible to serve two masters. Our version (transaction broker) or using a different agent from the same brokerage still presents some big potential issues. \n\nI do know my client also spoke to someone from one of the big offices who offered to send him some listings. He was not amused when they sent him a 3 cap.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "hxewpx2", "text": "Sent you a DM", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]