In the recently completed 2007 National Association of Realtors Member Profile more than 10,000 Realtors responded. Commercial real estate both as a primary specialty and as a secondary specialty appears to be gaining momentum and has grown quite significant.

Among brokers, eight out of 10 report their primary business specialty is residential brokerage, however commercial brokerage, property management, and land and development account for 12%."? As a secondary business specialty NAR members sited 18% in commercial brokerage, 18% land development, and 19% property management. This combines for a whopping 55% with some sort of commercially based secondary specialty.

This trend may be no surprise to some, as residential markets have lagged, the commercial markets have been very active and performing quite well in recent years."? Many"?have credited the commercial real estate market as the"?primary cushion"?to the national economic impact of the decline in the residential market.

As most of you know there is a wide gap in the"?skill set and competencies required in many commercial transactions."? Most of"? the training and communication to agents is in the residential brokerage arena which is definitely"?"the 800 pound gorilla". Might there be a need for expanded training and discussion in the merits or lack of for entering the world of commercial real estate? There are many life long residential agents that have made either a part-time or full-time switch."?It is not easy and we would like to hear any advice or "war stories" you might have for those of you that have succeeded or not.