Let’s be honest, if you’ve been in residential real estate for a while, you’ve probably had a moment—maybe during your third “Can we paint the walls grey?” conversation of the day—when you wondered what it’s like on the commercial side.
Maybe you’ve heard commercial agents make big commissions, work fewer nights and weekends, and never have to tour a house with a toddler screaming in the background. Sounds dreamy, right?
Well… yes and no.
I’m a managing broker in commercial real estate, and I’ve seen a lot of residential agents make the leap. Some absolutely crush it. Others run back to open houses like they just saw a ghost made of spreadsheets.
So, if you’re on the fence, before you jump, let’s talk about what actually changes—and whether the grass is really greener on the other side.
There are some big differences between residential real estate (RE) and commercial real estate (CRE), starting with the timeline. In residential deals, you could be closing in 30 days, but with commercial transactions, you may still be in negotiating terms by the end of the year.
The deal volume vs. deal size is also a key distinction. Residential agents might close five homes to earn five paychecks, while commercial agents may close one big deal and, in theory, take the rest of the quarter off. The homework level is also notably different.
The financing varies dramatically too, as residential options include FHA, VA and conventional loans, which are plug and play. Commercial financing, however, can involve SBA, bridge loans and seller carrybacks. Marketing follows suit as residential agents rely on the MLS and a nice Instagram reel, while commercial pros dig into CoStar, LoopNet, aerial maps, rent rolls and ten cold calls before breakfast.
In terms of regulation, residential is heavily regulated to protect consumers, but commercial carries less oversight and more liability. When it comes to data, residential agents rely on a central MLS, while commercial agents maybe juggling multiple browser tabs and data sources.
Commercial real estate isn’t a magical escape from residential headaches—it’s a different kind of challenge. But if you’re wired for strategy, negotiation, and long-term wealth building, it might just be the smartest leap you ever make.
And hey, we don’t do open houses on Sundays. That alone is worth a coffee chat.
With a childhood passion for building and a knack for community transformation, Jana Truman brings a unique perspective to commercial real estate. Known for connecting the dots in complex deals and speaking ‘residential’; Managing broker for SVN Accel Commercial Real Estate, Jana is the go-to expert who maximizes value and maintains strong relationships, benefiting clients and residential agents alike.
