Leveling the Playing Field for Independent Commercial Brokerages
Commercial real estate has never been more competitive.
Over the last decade, regional, national, and international brokerage firms have continued to consolidate power—larger budgets, deeper infrastructure, national research teams, and global reach. Meanwhile, many of the most capable and talented independent CRE brokerages have been left competing against giants without the resources to match them. That imbalance is exactly why we launched the CRE Affiliate Network.
The Moment That Changed Everything
The idea didn’t come from a boardroom—it came from a client we lost, even after doing everything right. An international company reached out to our brokerage, Commercial Brokers International, looking to relocate their operations to the United States. They needed help across multiple fronts: retail locations, outlet space, warehouse and distribution facilities—and even housing for employees relocating to the U.S.
We delivered.
Our team helped them successfully enter the U.S. market, secured multiple retail, outlet, and warehouse locations, and assisted with housing solutions for their relocating workforce. It was a complex, multi-layered assignment—and we executed at a high level.
Once the dust settled, the client was ready for the next phase: expanding across the U.S.
That’s where the problem surfaced. Because we only had one office and weren’t part of a national network, we couldn’t support their expansion at scale. Despite the trust we built and the results we delivered, we ultimately had to give up the client.
That moment was the wake-up call.
Digging Into the Real Issue
We immediately started making calls—learning how affiliate networks worked, what they offered, and what they cost. We spoke with other independent brokerages and asked who they were affiliated with.
What shocked us most was how many said: “We’re not part of any group.”
When we asked why, the answer was consistent: cost.
Most affiliate networks were priced in a way that made participation impossible for smaller brokerages. High upfront fees, ongoing dues, and requirements that only larger firms could realistically absorb, all without any guarantees that their business would benefit or grow.
That explained everything.
Independent brokerages weren’t opting out of networks because they didn’t see the value—they were being priced out of them.
Building a Different Model
That’s when we went to work building the CRE Affiliate Network.
From day one, the mission was clear:
Any qualified independent CRE brokerage should be able to compete—without cost being the barrier.
That’s why the network is free to join for qualified firms.
No franchise fees.
No forced rebranding.
No expensive buy-in.
Instead, we focus heavily on vetting. To ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the network, member firms must be truly independent CRE brokerages, actively transacting and meet a minimum production threshold, preferably offer full-service capabilities, maintaining strong client reviews and a strong market reputation, and active and engaged within their local community.
This ensures the network isn’t just large—it’s credible.
What CRE Affiliate Network Delivers
The goal isn’t to compete internally amongst one another—it’s to compete externally.
The network provides independent firms with:
National and regional vetted referral opportunities
Trusted cross-market execution for expanding clients
Shared knowledge, relationships, and deal flow
Growing access to tools, services, and strategic resources
As the company grows, we continue to add new features, expand capabilities, seek and negotiate discounts on services and industry memberships that our members can utilize, and build infrastructure that would otherwise be out of reach for smaller firms
Independence Without Isolation
The CRE Affiliate Network creates strength through collaboration—without sacrificing autonomy.
Members keep their brand, leadership, culture, and equity.
What they gain is scale, reach, and credibility—the same advantages larger firms use to win business.
The Bigger Vision
This isn’t just about affiliations—it’s about protecting entrepreneurship in commercial real estate.
The best broker in a market shouldn’t lose a client because they don’t have 50 offices nationwide. They should win because they know their market, execute at a high level, and have access to a trusted national network when their clients grow. That’s why we launched the CRE Affiliate Network.
And that’s why it matters now more than ever.
If you are seeking someone to help find you properties- Please let me know which market you are seeking.
If you’re interested in becoming a member, please share a brief overview of your company—such as how long you’ve been in business, which markets you serve, your typical client base, whether you’re full-service, the number of agents on your team, and how many transactions you completed last year.
If you have questions or want to go deeper on any of these topics, feel free to leave a comment. Taking that first step can feel daunting—but it’s also where the journey begins.
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