Venturing into Commercial Real Estate

[Suzan Barros]

I have been selling residential real estate for the past 20 years.  Lately I have been venturing into commercial real estate since I have very wealthy clients who buy in the millions and want only non-listed-off market properties.  However, most off-market deals that come to me seem to have a string of brokers and non-brokers behind them and it is very difficult to find out WHO is the one dealing directly with the seller.  They lie and say they are "direct with the seller" but they are not.  This of course is a big problem because of the number of people involved in a transaction, the commission splits, and actual ability to delivery the goods.  I want to know if anyone here can suggest an excellent commercial real estate course and/or can give me ideas on how to connect with owners of apartment complexes, shopping centers, etc, directly and solicit the sale of their properties.