Why do you like working in CRE?
I'm considering a career change (25M) and I think CRE would be a great fit for me. For those of you already working in CRE, what do you like about it? 

Edit: Good point by spittinonit. What don't you like about it?
[{"id": "d062hv0", "text": "I love the challenge... everyday is brand new and you are constantly being pushed to find new solutions to problems (from finding someone space in a tight market, to negotiating a deal where your client has to get some specific terms, bridging the gap between a developer's dream project and city regulations, etc...). When you work really hard on something it is tremendously satisfying to see it come to fruition.\n\nI also really like learning... because of the above challenges you are always pushed to learn more about nearly everything... I have researched zoning codes and city regulations, manufacturing and distribution processes, marketing practices, construction processes,  and many many other things... again it goes back to the challenge... it really pushes me beyond what may be my normal comfort zone.", "replies": [{"id": "d06bx4i", "text": "Could not agree more. I have been in the business for about a year and the fact that it's up to me whether I make it or not is the most exciting/terrifying part of the job so far. \n\nThat and the fact that you have to be a jack of all trades.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "d064pnk", "text": "I like the aspect that I am promoting, in a small way, small businesses. Our business grows along with theirs, and when they outgrow their space, we hopefully have something better for them to move into.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "d067ngt", "text": "as an investor, its great because i get to force appreciation and make millions. ", "replies": [{"id": "d068c38", "text": "Yeah, the money isn't bad for some people in our industry, too. \n\nThat's why a lot of people get into CRE, but I also think there are a bunch of rewarding aspects outside of the money:\n\n* You can run a business and don't have to resort to \"shady\" tactics to beat out the competition. I.e., clothing places might outsource to labor farms in the 3rd world, restaurants might buy food from places that don't take good care of animals, etc.\n\n* We can work together and with local governments to revitalize areas that are on the downswing (no other industry really has as much power over this than we do).\n\n* A lot of blood, sweat, and tears go into the design, construction, and management of a building, and it's mostly underappreciated by the public. I like to say that every floor of a building higher than the 3rd floor represents a failed marriage, because somebody had to love that building more than their spouse in order to get the building where it is today. From the jr. architect working overtime to impress his boss, the developer pouring over regulations and finding investors from across the globe, to the lowly pest control guy who gets called for service midday but has to come back at night because the tenants were afraid of the poison. Buildings are living, breathing machines, and if we're doing our job right, the public doesn't notice at all.", "replies": [{"id": "d06sjxd", "text": "i completely agree with all of those points.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "d0af76m", "text": "&gt; I like to say that every floor of a building higher than the 3rd floor represents a failed marriage, because somebody had to love that building more than their spouse in order to get the building where it is today\n\nBecause of the higher costs of anything over 3 floors? (The highest a concrete tilt up can go.)", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "d068e0a", "text": "Not to be a downer,  but I think it's most important to know what they hate about it.  \n\nI never did a lot of commercial real estate, so I can't answer your question.  But I did work as a broker for 5 years on residential deals.  \n\nBy far, what I hated about it outweighed what I loved about it ( the money ). And you never really hear the bad stuff. \n\nGood luck. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "d06duk6", "text": "The major advantages for me are: **1.** There is no ceiling on how much money you can make or how successful you become (there is a difference between the two). It all will depend on how much effort you put in (mixed with good timing). **2.** You make your own hours. When you start out you may be working under a principal broker so this may not apply immediately, but once you are on your own, your time is spent how you want to spend it. When I want to take a Friday off I do. When I want to work a Saturday I do. **3.** If you are a good broker you won't be stuck at your desk all day, you will be out in the field. That for me is huge. **4** If you work hard enough and long enough you can get to a point where maybe you just renew a few big clients a year, or sell/buy properties for one gigantic client. Minimal work with a huge payoff.\n\nSomething that can scare people away is the fact you don't have a monthly or weekly paycheck you can rely on. There WILL be times you go longer than you'd like without a check. I spent 3 months in the hospital and it really hurt the bank, not only because I wasn't closing deals, but time passes and you may lose clients.\n\nTake everything into consideration. It's definitely not for everyone. But if you need any advice let me know!\n\nBTW I specialize in leasing for office and retail space.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "d07k0px", "text": "Clients don't make decisions based on emotional triggers. The #'s either work, or they don't. ", "replies": [{"id": "d09ftfh", "text": "Except when they won't accept realistic estimates and put in their own inflated estimates into the model\n\n", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "d09fwmw", "text": "I like the tangible nature of the business. You can drive past a block and know the story about what happened there. even better if you played a role in making something happen.  \n\nI have a family now and didn't get into the real money side of the business (I work for a bank). The 'eat what you kill' nature of the business is scary for me - I need to be able to pay the mortgage &amp; feed the family and can't afford a year or 2 with 0 income. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]