Boutique industrial real estate brokerage

Industrial landlords, investors and business tenants looking for space. Commission is usually paid by the landlord or seller, and you split it with your agents.

Commission on completed leases and sales, plus a share of what your agents bring in. Repeat landlord clients and long-term listings help smooth income.

• Industrial market knowledge and a strong local network
• Negotiation and sales
• Managing and mentoring agents
• Running compliance and trust accounting

• Brokerage registration and a qualified broker of record are generally required, so check your provincial rules
• Trust account and record-keeping rules apply, so consider an accountant who knows real estate
• Check errors and omissions and commercial general liability insurance
• Deals take months, so keep enough cash to cover rent and wages in quiet periods
• Check employment or contractor rules, and WCB/WSIB coverage, before hiring staff
• In Quebec, check OACIQ rules and French-language requirements

Estimated startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on your office, staffing and region. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $5,000 to $25,000, but deals take months, so keep cash on hand for rent and wages.

Brokerage registration and a qualified broker of record are generally required, so check your provincial rules. Also check trust account and record-keeping rules, errors and omissions insurance, and in Quebec, OACIQ and French-language requirements.

Useful skills include industrial market knowledge and a strong local network, negotiation and sales, mentoring agents, and running compliance and trust accounting. Estimates suggest at least about 40 hours a week.