Broadly speaking, real estate consists of two major branches: Commercial vs Residential Real Estate. On the surface, these two branches don’t look the same. Residential properties include both resale and new homes. This includes single-family homes, townhouses, vacation homes, investment properties, manufactured homes, and condominiums. Commercial includes shopping centers, medical and educational buildings, hotels, offices, and apartment buildings. What is the difference between Commercial and Residential Real Estate. There are many different paths you can take to get into this field, and it is important to do your research to find the one that best suits your skills and interests.

It’s not only structural and physical differences that separate commercial and residential. There are other aspects that further set the two apart when selling either type of real estate.

1. Purchasing Factors

Buying and selling real estate can be emotional. Home buyers make their decisions based on how the house feels to them. Factors such as family-size, location, home style or layout also come into play.

The process can also be emotional for commercial real estate buyers. But the layout and feel aren’t as drastic to the decision-making process. This is because the buyer is investing in commercial real estate to gain profit. This includes managing a multi-family housing property, retail store, or restaurant. It all comes down to economics. The purchasing process will take a bit of analytics to determine what will be the best fit for the business.

2. Commercial Competition vs Residential Competition

Head-to-head, residential real estate is more competitive than commercial real estate. It’s hard for home buyers to find their perfect “dream house”. This is due to a number of considerations in the home-buying process. When they do find it, they will give anything to have it. If the house is that good, there will likely be other potential buyers lined up.

There’s less competition for commercial real estate. Certain properties work better for an office space and others for a restaurant. The analytic research will determine what is affordable. Also, what location will produce the most profit and what layout will be most effective.

3. What is Market Stability

Residential real estate is less stable than commercial real estate. This is because there are many uncertainties. Including a declining market, a neighborhood status change, or a home type could go out of style. In commercial real estate, new companies will always need a space. Spaces can also be remodeled for various businesses. All that matters are the functionality and productivity within the building.

4. Real Estate Job Market

Population growth and the need for experienced, licensed professionals to assist with home buying and selling is expected to keep the job market for real estate careers positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that real estate jobs should increase by 11 percent over the next 10 years, going up from 422,000 in 2012 to 468,600 by 2022.

Ultimately, the real estate market is unpredictable and elaborate on either side. Each has its own set of perks for the real estate agent, Commercial vs Residential Real Estate, and what best fits you?

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