Commercial real estate agent

Business owners who need space, landlords and property owners who want tenants or buyers, and investors. The commission is normally paid by the landlord or seller, but check how deals in your market are structured.

Commission on completed leases or sales, often a percentage of the rent over the lease term or of the sale price, shared with your brokerage. Income comes in lumps after deals close, which can take months.

• Negotiating and selling
• Reading leases and basic financial numbers
• Building a local network of business contacts
• Organised follow-up and paperwork

• Licensing is set by each province or territory, and you generally need to work under a registered brokerage, so check your provincial regulator
• Income is commission only and deals can take months, so plan enough savings to cover living costs
• Check brokerage fees, splits and who pays for errors and omissions insurance and board or association dues
• As a self-employed agent, check how GST/HST and income tax instalments apply to you
• Advertising, disclosure and conflict of interest rules apply, so check your regulator's guidance, especially if you act for both sides

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $10,000, depending on licensing, dues and your setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at about $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the deals you close. Income is commission only.

Licensing is set by each province or territory, and you generally need to work under a registered brokerage, so check your provincial regulator. Also check the regulator's guidance on advertising, disclosure and conflicts of interest, especially if you act for both sides.

Plan on at least about 25 hours a week as an estimate. Deals can take months, so plan enough savings to cover living costs. Check brokerage fees, splits, errors and omissions insurance, board dues, and how GST/HST and income tax instalments apply.