Commercial Leasing/Real Estate, how do I get started?
I'm a 21 year old still chasing my degree. I'm currently working in residential leasing, leasing apartments to students mainly. How can I take the steps to become a commercial real estate agent?

I have so many questions about the field as well. For example, I know of a few vacant commercial spaces around my city. Is it typical for someone such as myself (a random agent, essentially) to be the middleman in the lease deal of commercial space? Example, I find someone looking for commercial space, call the owner of the commercial space and get the deal leased out and make commissions off the deal? Or would I typically have to work for a company?

I'm very interested in learning more about commercial real estate and commercial leasing, any useful information would be greatly appreciated.
[{"id": "dqdl7jj", "text": "I am in Virginia so some of this may change per state laws and local standard practices.\n\nStart talking to local commercial brokerages, small and large, and ask what opportunities are available. A lot of people get started in commercial property management and eventually switch over to sales and leasing, but if you find the right opportunity you can go right into deal making. \n\nI highly reccomend making sure you have good teachers and mentors above you who are willing to take the time to answer questions, let you observe their day-to-day, and maybe even bring you in on deals or put you on their listings and signs. \n\nIf you're lucky you might be able to find a place thay will pay you a small salary for a year or two. After that, probably the best you can hope for is a draw against your commission. This is essentially an inteterest free loan so you can collect a paycheck and pay it back as you close deals and collect commissions. \n\nYou can find owners/landlords/properties that need help finding tenants and/or buyers (landlord rep). Or, it sounds like you are asking about tenant representation, helping business owners/operators find properties to buy or lease. Typically you are still paid a commission by the owner/landlord but make sure that is agreed upon early in the process. To do any of this with a salesperson license, your license has to hang with a broker who is basically willing to vouch for you and supervise what you're doing.\n\nCommercial real estate in general is usually divided up by retail, office, and industrial space. There is also land, multi-family, and hospitality/hotels. Most people focus on one asset class, but its easier to start as a generalist if you can learn from multiple people.\n\nI'm still fairly new to CRE. I came in from a completely different industry and jumped right in to deal making. I'm definitely not an expert but message me if you have more questions or if I can connect you to anyone in your area. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dqdohaa", "text": "Which city are you in?", "replies": [{"id": "dqe3cgx", "text": "I'm in the Phoenix area", "replies": [{"id": "dqekun6", "text": "So if you were in New York City I would have told you to come by for an interview. But it's also important to ask where you are because commercial leasing is a very similar job everywhere with the exception to certain pockets. \nAZ is a great state. The Phoenix MSA has amazing numbers. (without googling) growth rates are some of the best of the country and it's in that sweet spot. I think 5MM.\nYou get paid by the landlord when you close the leases. I'm sure people have gone through this by now. I've been doing this for a long time so if you have any questions please don't hesitate to give me a call.", "replies": [{"id": "dqfxlq1", "text": "PM'd you!", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dqdtc19", "text": "I got into Commercial Leasing (Tenant Rep) by transitioning into the real estate arm of a company after a few years. I'm still relatively new to it, but from what I've seen the best way would be to work for a REIT or real estate firm to get experience and network. Commercial deals are often high value/risk so they wont want to use a random real estate agent. Networking at a national level is whats important. When negotiating deals it helps to have exisiting relationships out there. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "dqic6v2", "text": "You need to get a license and you will need to be connected with a brokerage. I would recommended finding a brokerage firm to intern with. Checkout this list of top brokers and brokerages in your market.\nhttp://costarpowerbrokers.com/power-broker-award-winners/?search_year=2016&amp;search_market=Phoenix ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]