How to Get Started in Commercial Real Estate in 2026

Every year, I talk to people who say some version of the same thing:

“I want to get into commercial real estate… I just don’t know where to start.”

In 2026, that confusion is understandable. Commercial real estate (CRE) has been through interest rate whiplash, valuation resets, AI hype, and endless headlines declaring parts of the industry “dead.” Office is over. Retail is doomed. Industrial is too expensive. Multifamily is overbuilt. Pick your poison.

But here’s the truth most people miss: the fundamentals of CRE haven’t changed.
What has changed is the opportunity for people willing to start simply, think long-term, and actually learn how deals work.

If you’re looking to break into commercial real estate in 2026, whether as an investor, broker, operator, or all three—this is where to focus.

Step 1: Understand What CRE Really Is (and Isn’t)

Commercial real estate is not just “bigger houses.”

At its core, CRE is about income-producing property. That’s it.
If a property’s value is tied to its ability to generate cash flow, you’re in CRE territory!

Common asset classes include:

• Industrial (warehouses, manufacturing, flex)

• Retail (strip centers, single-tenant, service-based)

• Office (medical, professional, owner-user)

• Multifamily (5+ units)

• Specialty (self-storage, car washes, mobile home parks, etc.)

The biggest mindset shift for beginners is this: Value is driven by income, not emotion. That one idea alone separates residential thinking from commercial thinking.

Step 2: Learn the Language (Before Chasing Deals)

You don’t need an MBA. You do need fluency in the basics.

If you’re new, commit to mastering these fundamentals:

• NOI (Net Operating Income) – What’s left after operating expenses

• Cap Rate – NOI ÷ Purchase Price

• Cash-on-Cash Return

• Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)

• Lease types (Gross vs. NNN)

• Rent per square foot

• Expense recoveries

Here’s the mistake I see constantly: people chasing “off-market deals” before they can even underwrite a basic property. In 2026, knowledge is leverage. The better you understand numbers, the more confident—and credible—you become.

Step 3: Start Small (But Think Commercial)

You don’t need a $10M deal to get started. Some of the best entry points in 2026:

• Small mixed-use buildings

• Owner-user properties (Ideal for small business owners!)

• Small multi-tenant retail

• Business + real estate combinations

These deals often fly under the radar because institutional money ignores them. That’s good news for beginners.

The goal of your first deal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to get off the bench. Learn to be educational (through hands on experience) and survivable.

Step 4: Pick a Lane—At Least at First

CRE rewards focus. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, pick:

• One market

• One asset type

• One role (investor, broker, operator)

Learn what rents should be. Learn what expenses should look like. Learn what good deals actually look like before they’re marketed.

The bottom line is that you can always expand later. But early clarity accelerates progress.

Step 5: Build Relationships Before You Need Them

Commercial real estate is still a people business. In 2026, the winners aren’t the loudest on social media—they’re the ones with strong local relationships:

• Brokers who actually return calls

• Lenders who understand your niche

• Property managers who know real expenses

• Business owners who may sell someday

If you want deals, become useful first. Ask good questions, bring value and be consistent.

Step 6: Don’t Wait for “Perfect” Market Conditions

Every cycle feels uncertain when you’re in it.

In my experience, people who wait for clarity usually miss opportunity. The ones who start learning during uncertainty are ready when momentum returns.

CRE is a long game . Time in the market still beats timing the market.

Step 7: Focus on Durability, Not Hype

In 2026, the smartest beginners are asking:

• Is this property meeting a real market need?

• Can the tenant survive a slowdown?

• Can the deal withstand higher-than-expected expenses?

Forget Instagram cap rates. Look for boring, durable cash flow. This is how wealth is actually built.

Final Thought

Commercial real estate isn’t reserved for institutions, hedge funds, or insiders.

Instead, it’s built by people who:

• Take the time to learn the fundamentals

• Start before they feel ready

• Make conservative assumptions

• Stay patient

If you’re willing to do that, 2026 isn’t a bad time to start in CRE. It might actually be a great one.

If you want help thinking through your first commercial deal—or just want a second set of eyes on an opportunity—reach out. The right conversation at the right time can save you years of trial and error.

Commercial real estate rewards the people who start before they feel ready. If that’s you, now is the time. Learn the fundamentals. Think long-term. And take your first real step forward in 2026!