Brokerage (Sale) -> Lending/Debt side Possible?

Hello Everyone,

I currently work at cre brokerage firm as investment sales associate in NYC. Although I like what I do and colleagues around me, I just don’t find this job cerebral enough and don’t find physical aspect of real estate all that interesting, plus cold-calling is getting real tiresome. (I don’t mind doing sales, but given too much pressure to generate leads) I did some digging and found debt side of real estate to be more suitable to my personality and my interest.

I really want to make switch as soon as possible, so I wanted to ask if there is anyone on this from who’ve successfully made the switch from brokerage (sales) to lending side of real estate. If so, would you be kind enough to share your anecdote? and how should I prepare myself to successfully transition? Also, what caliber of firm should I be targeting? BB? Small mortgage brokerage firms?
Fyi I graduated from semi-target state school last year. I know pedigree matters minimal in real estate, but Just wanted to get it out there.

I know I asked a lot of questions, but I would really appreciate anyone whose willing shed some light on this. Thank you!

11 Comments
 

what size are you the deals you're working on? product type? how advanced and how detailed is the modeling you guys do? what is an example of a typical client? institutional?

 
Best Response

$3mm in NYC? That's tiny. Sounds like you're dealing with house flippers. Just kidding ... but in all seriousness, to answer your question, judging from your experience, I'd say it would not be easy to jump to a BB CMBS group. Maybe not impossible, though. No reason not to try.

Smaller mortgage broker, as you mention, would be easier to pull off. Hell, even the debt group at Marcus & Millichap. If I were you, I'd hit up anybody and everybody on the debt side to at least try to get your foot in the door in the debt world. I would also look at the smaller special servicers (Torchlight?) and smaller conduits (Jefferies?) and smaller multifamily lenders (there are so many).

I would do my best to avoid recourse lenders (in particular small banks) and small user/owner-occupant loans.

 

Just to interject, I don't see what the appeal of the CMBS group is. It seems like whole departments get axed every four years.

Please don't quote Patrick Bateman.
 

Qui eos quia inventore excepturi. Quibusdam qui velit sed in soluta error qui. Reprehenderit ut quidem autem dolores. Quisquam voluptatem quo molestiae voluptatem cum deleniti quibusdam ullam. Sed omnis deleniti necessitatibus aliquid et odit qui eius. Similique perferendis debitis enim et nihil adipisci.

Eveniet ullam consequuntur magni animi sit. Recusandae veritatis sed reiciendis consequatur beatae. Nihil animi perferendis qui accusantium. Eos fugit qui dicta quibusdam. Quos saepe doloribus quia iusto ut.

Fuga cupiditate animi fuga consectetur. Aut libero exercitationem sed suscipit repellendus. Tenetur animi minima velit et expedita ipsa.

Eos impedit eos eum repellat velit. Et aut illum vero et qui perspiciatis numquam. Non ullam alias voluptatem error. Sit sint accusamus quos.

Please don't quote Patrick Bateman.
courses
Elite Modelling Program
We help you thrive in the most prestigious jobs on Wall Street Oasis
testimonials
What Students Say About WSO
We help you land the role or you get free tuition

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”