Industrial real estate agent

Landlords and owners paying a listing commission, and sometimes growing businesses, distributors and contractors who need space and are represented by you. In most deals the commission is paid from the lease or sale.

Commission on leases (often tied to the total rent over the term) or on sales, split with your brokerage. Deals take a long time to close, so income is lumpy and you need savings to cover slow months.

• Sales and relationship building
• Negotiation
• Reading leases and basic property numbers
• Self-discipline and follow-up

• Licensing: check your state's rules and whether you must work under a managing broker
• Income is commission only and can take many months to start, so plan your living costs
• Check how your brokerage handles errors and omissions insurance and what fees you pay
• Industrial deals can involve zoning, environmental and loading-dock issues, so involve attorneys and specialists rather than guessing
• Data tools used for finding properties and owners can be costly, so check what the brokerage provides

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your state's licensing, brokerage fees and any data tools the brokerage does not provide. Check how your brokerage handles errors and omissions insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many deals you close. Income is commission only and can take many months to start, so plan your living costs.

Check your state's licensing rules and whether you must work under a managing broker. Industrial deals can involve zoning, environmental and loading-dock issues, so involve attorneys and specialists rather than guessing.