Learning the Ropes: My First Steps in Commercial Real Estate

When I tell people I started a career in commercial real estate, I usually get one of two reactions: “You can make a lot of money doing that,” or “Isn’t that a tough industry to get into?” The truth is—both are right. But what I’ve learned already is that CRE is mostly about building + maintaining relationships, providing market insight, creative problem solving, and a willingness to keep learning.

I’m proud to be starting my journey under the guidance of Bill Gladstone, one of Central Pennsylvania’s most respected names in commercial real estate. As part of The Bill Gladstone Group at NAI CIR, I’ve experienced many aspects of the business—touring properties, sitting in on client calls, learning from negotiations, and asking more questions than I can count.

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Why Commercial Real Estate?

What drew me to this field was the opportunity to help other people chase their dreams. Whether it’s helping a small business find the right retail location, or assisting an investor in repositioning a property, every deal has a story—and an impact.

I’ve always been fascinated by how real estate is developed over time. Starting this career in Central PA means I get to see that impact first-hand, from downtown Harrisburg to growing suburban corridors.

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Mentorship Matters

Working alongside someone like Bill has been a masterclass in itself. He has seen market cycles rise and fall, helped businesses navigate everything from expansion to consolidation, and built a reputation on trust and results.

Each day I’m gaining exposure to the real decisions behind the listings—the questions clients ask, the trends driving investor activity, and the strategies that go beyond the sale.

It’s one thing to study real estate. It’s another thing entirely to learn it in real time, with someone who’s been shaping this market for decades.

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What to Expect from Me

This is the first of many blog posts I’ll be sharing as I document my journey into the world of commercial real estate. I’ll be writing about what I’m learning, sharing takeaways from the field, and asking questions that others—especially those just entering the business—may be wondering too.

Whether you’re a longtime investor, a local business owner, or someone just curious about how commercial deals get done, I hope this series adds value, sparks ideas, or gives a behind-the-scenes look at life in CRE.

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Let’s Connect

I’ll also be sharing regular insights on LinkedIn as part of this journey—if you’re in the industry or just interested in the local market, I’d love to connect.

Thanks for reading. I’m excited to be part of The Bill Gladstone Group and even more excited for what’s ahead.