Career Advice! Commercial v Residential

[Andrew Hamilton]

Hello!

I've been on BP for a few months now. Never posted or commented just reading. But now I need some advice.

Background: I have a double major in Finance and Economics so I like the numbers but I don't like crunching numbers 40 hours a week. I have a great job(as good as the corp world gets). I own my condo. I'm 23 and very good with my finances.

Advice: I was originally just assuming that I had to start in residential real estate. I thought about commercial early on but then I just assumed that residential experience was needed. But after doing some more research I don't think that's the case. I have learned that since they are completely different in many ways experience in residential isn't that much more valuable. I understand that commercial is based on business decisions and residential is emotions. I would work toward the CCIM if I took the commercial route.

Question: Thoughts on jumping right into commercial/investment space rather than residential?

P.S. I'm willing to make this a career just not right away

[Matt M.]

Unless you have connections or get lucky, you will be in a cubicle cold calling for commercial real estate business. IF you make it past that and do well, you'll do great in commercial. It is cut throat.

Residential is a different animal. You have to find business, and hand hold people through the most important financial decision of their lives. 

Why are you leaving your day job?