Lean commercial property agent

Commercial landlords and property owners who want to lease or sell. Sometimes tenants or buyers who need a premises found.

Commission on a sale, or a leasing fee based on the rent. Income is lumpy, with a few larger payments rather than steady weekly pay. Some agents add a small fee for tenant search or rent reviews.

• Negotiation and sales
• Understanding leases and local property markets
• Building trust with owners and business tenants
• Organised follow-up and paperwork

• Licensing is set by each state and territory, so check what is needed to run your own agency versus working under another licensee
• Trust account rules if you hold deposits or rent, and any audit requirements
• Insurance, including professional indemnity, and any fidelity fund contributions your state requires
• Commission-only income can mean months without pay, so keep living costs covered
• Council approval may be needed if you run the business from home

Estimates suggest startup typically costs around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on your set-up, licensing and insurance. Running from home or a shared desk keeps premises costs down, and requirements differ by state and territory.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your listings and the deals you close. Commission-only income can mean months without pay, so keep your living costs covered.

Check your state or territory licensing, including what is needed to run your own agency versus working under another licensee. Also check trust account rules and audits, professional indemnity insurance, fidelity fund contributions, and council approval if you work from home.