I would like to start a post not only for the benefit of myself, but this community. Many of the residential markets are failing miserably and commercial is a viable alternative for some.

I have found that many commercial practitioners are very withholding when it comes to commercial real estate and mortgage information. Thankfully the commercial end of the spectrum has a much sharper "survival of the fittest" mentality than most other parts of the industry.

For this reason I think that the select few that have the good fortune of being successful in the commercial industry should not fear the free flow of knowledge to those wanting. "The cream rises to the top" is how I personally see any industry.

What I would like to do is list resources for those wanting to break into the commercial real estate and mortgage industry. Give your fellow man a helping hand and help them to succeed. What is more satisfying in life? Please, if you find the time, list a few resources on breaking in, marketing, financing, strategies, and anything that you think would help a person begin to develop the skills needed to do what they've always wanted to do.

Consider this a special request from someone that has contributed to this forum. I have done my best to help the agents as well as the brokers through this forum, and I hope that the members of this forum will do the same for me and those out there that are hungry to learn and ready to work.

#1 (Marketing) http://www.loopnet.com
#2 (Info) http://www.creativecommerciallending.com/?spg=article.php*arid=333 There is some good info on this site for those who don't have much knowledge in the commercial end of the spectrum.
#3 (Info) http://www.realtor.org/commercial
#4 (Info) http://www.campusmba.org/AllLearningProducts/Commercial.htm
#5 (Info and Marketing) http://www.ccim.com
#6 (Info) http://www.scotsmanguide.com/default.asp?ID=2
#7 (Marketing and Research) http://www.costar.com
#8 (Stats and Info) http://www.city-data.com

ahh, nice thread. Thanks Adam.

I just hope others get involved...

Super and Paul, Jim where are you guys? Aaron Lazarus, any helpful hints you want to add?

#9 (Info) http://www.commercialmortgageteacher.com/commercial_mortgage.html Cheap too.


KEEP IN MIND THAT NONE OF THE PRODUCTS LISTED IN THIS THREAD ARE ENDORSED OR RECOMMENDED BY THE SITE OR THE POSTERS

http://www.icsc.org


Stands for International Council of Shopping Centers.

This is where you hobknob with Publix,Kroger,Developers,Commercial Finanncing etc. to build business and project contacts.

I have other ones but I will post later.

Thanks Super, just curious though, how many deals has this site helped you procure/close etc? Thanks for the resource either way.

#10 (Marketing) http://www.bizbuysell.com/

Hi Adam,
Just as an FYI - ICSC isn't just a site...it's a trade organization...and the benefite comes from being a member and attending the regional and national networking and trade events they conduct. Most commercial brokers involved in retail commercial real estate are members of ICSC.


Misc Info:
http://www.globest.com/
http://www.officespace.com/Terms.cfm
http://www.tdogs.com/
http://www.tristaterca.com/tristaterca/
http://www2.gmhcp.com/


Institutional Property Ownwers:
http://www.vno.com/index.phtml
http://www.preit.com/
http://www.kravcosimon.com/
http://www.simon.com/

Thanks! I am understanding more and more how beneficial being part of a lot of different organizations like that could be. I bet it could get pretty expensive quick though.

Also, do you have any experience with Top Dawgs?

Lol - yeah, you have to pick and choose...one can go broke joining all the organizations out there.

Re Top Dogs, I recently attended their training - the material was great, but also the stories and experiences that the trainer/co-founder of T Dogs shared was a great benefit as well.

My $.02....

Join your local Commercial Alliance and attend as many mixers with them and other organizations as you can. CCIM is also very valuable.

Most of the properties I've dealt with, due to the nature of the city I'm in, are not openly marketed or listed. They are sold and financed quietly without the media and the market hearing about it until afterwards.

That being said, for the most part we get wind of it under the radar, and although we might have an in with the sellers, buyers, borrowers, or investors of high end properties we usually don't have the other party.

This is why it's good to especially network with others in the industry. I would also make sure that you work honest and don't try to cut your fellow brokers out. Those who end up getting to greedy in the end usually get a fat chunk of NOTHING.

Non-circumvention agreements and mutual confidentiality agreements are a must before you lay all the cards on the table about what you and your clients may and may not have to other brokers and their principles. And even then, never disclose more specifics about who and what you may be working with unless you absolutely must.

The commercial game is a doggy dog market and alot of people out there will cut you out in a heartbeat if they can. It's not for the faint of heart and you really need to have a thick skin (in my experience.)

Vegasbroker could not have said it any better.

Do you know something? Now that you posted this...I already start thinking in making my move to the commercial arena. At first I was reluctant but I helped out another colleague on a commercial deal and it was a smooth ride. Thanks for the links posted, they are a great tool to look for.

Awesome, I'm glad that this has helped. I hope we keep going! Super, are you still out there? You said you have some more resources for us, care to post a few more?