Office leasing agent

Landlords and property managers usually pay the commission. Tenants sometimes pay a fee when you represent them directly.

A commission, typically a share of the lease value, paid when a lease is signed. You may share it with your brokerage and with the other side's agent.

• Sales and negotiation
• Reading lease terms and numbers
• Building a local network of business contacts
• Staying organized across many deals

• Licensing: rules differ by province, so check with your provincial real estate regulator
• Most agents must work under a registered brokerage, so check what desk fees and splits apply
• Income is commission-only and can take months to begin, so plan for living costs in the meantime
• Check what errors and omissions insurance is required in your province
• Check the rules on disclosing and handling a conflict of interest if you act for both sides
• Register for GST/HST if your commission income passes the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $10,000, depending on your province and brokerage. Check which desk fees, splits and insurance apply to you before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on the deals you close. Income is commission-only and can take months to begin, so plan for living costs in the meantime.

Check licensing with your provincial real estate regulator, as rules differ by province. Also check brokerage requirements, errors and omissions insurance, rules on conflicts of interest if you act for both sides, and GST/HST registration.