Meeting with two CRE brokers. What do I ask them?
Good morning,

I live in a small but rapidly growing city. I did some research and there are no young guns in commercial real estate and I see a big opportunity for myself

I’m meeting two commercial real estate brokers who are in there upper 60’s who specialize in land,office and industrial. 

We are having lunch and to shoot the shit. What are some good questions I could ask these guys? I’m basically going in saying I see an opportunity and seeking advice now to get into the field. 

Any advice?
[{"id": "em2477z", "text": "&gt;there are no young guns in commercial real estate \n\nwrong\n\nAnyway just ask how they got into the industry and go from there", "replies": [{"id": "em24vik", "text": "&gt;wrong\n\nI think he's talking about his city in particular.", "replies": [{"id": "em25knm", "text": "Even if so, there's young people in the industry there too.", "replies": [{"id": "em265iv", "text": "I must have missed where he revealed the name of the town. If it is small and only started growing recently, he may be right that no younger brokers there are focusing on commercial.", "replies": [{"id": "em26uq1", "text": "If it's a rapidly growing city then there are enough people in the industry there to help support that growth. Not saying there isn't a lot opportunity for him, I'm sure there is, but to think there are literally zero young people already in the industry and/or trying to get into the industry there is very likely incorrect.", "replies": [{"id": "em279fm", "text": "I think you and I are imagining two different towns. I agree that op may not be aware of other players in his area, but without knowing the place or the demographics we might as well take op at his word for now.", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "em25bee", "text": "Ask them what opportunities they see currently. Also be aware, that they may have been in that market so long that they don't have the same perspective as someone seeing it with fresh eyes. Tell them about some potential you see in the local market and see if they agree. I wouldn't come out and ask directly for a mentoring relationship, but leave that door open and see where it goes. Look for either of them to express some interest in working together and explore how that might look.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "em26peq", "text": "Ask them broad question like how they gain new clients, what they spend their mornings doing, and why they chose the sector (office, retail, multi family, etc) that they operate in. \n\nThen at the end make sure to thank them and ask if there is anyone else they know that you might gain some wisdom from meeting with and have them connect you.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "em288c4", "text": "I have a few years under my belt and have been interviewing for interns. Here are some basic questions that I liked:\n\n1) Ask them if they remember their first deal and what was it like?\n\n2) What are they looking to have you do? \n\n3) What kind of database do they use?\n\n4) How many cycles have they gone through and what did they do to get through them?\n\nGood Luck!", "replies": [{"id": "emphwaf", "text": "Would probably avoid the database question for someone in the 60s", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "em46049", "text": "Don\u2019t get in over your head. Be there to learn not to present some grand idea that you thought up in the shower last night and try to snake your way into something.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "em56xrz", "text": "1) Track record. How many deals have they done? How many last year?\n\n2) Product type. Are they generalists or more specific?\n\n3) Company affiliation. Do they have national/international resources available for referrals, etc. or are they a stand alone shop.\n\n4) Most important, are they in the office all the time, how much face time will you get with them. Will they work with you on all or a vast majority of the deals and introduce you to the local players?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]