1. Alignment with Client Schedules
The primary reason for the Monday–Friday schedule is that decision-makers are at work.
- The Clients: Brokers deal with CEOs, CFOs, and Operations Managers. For these clients, finding office or warehouse space is part of their job description. They tour properties during their workday, not on their weekends.
- The Goal: A company viewing office space wants to see what the building feels like when it is “alive.” They need to see the lobby traffic, the elevator wait times, and the natural light during working hours. Visiting an empty office building on a Sunday doesn’t provide the necessary data to make a business decision.
2. The Support Ecosystem
Commercial deals are complex and rely on a vast network of other professionals who also work standard business hours. A broker cannot effectively move a deal forward on a Saturday because the rest of the chain is closed.
This ecosystem includes:
- Property Managers: Who need to unlock the spaces for tours.
- Real Estate Attorneys: Who draft the leases and purchase agreements.
- Lenders and Bankers: Who underwrite the loans.
- City Planners/Zoning Officials: Who answer questions about usage permits.
3. Residential vs. Commercial: A Distinct Contrast
To understand the CRE schedule, it helps to compare it to Residential Real Estate.
| Feature | Residential Agents | Commercial Brokers |
| Client Type | Individuals/Families (B2C) | Businesses/Investors (B2B) |
| Touring Time | Evenings & Weekends (when clients are off work) | M-F, 9 AM – 5 PM (when clients are at work) |
| Emotion vs. Logic | High Emotion (buying a home) | High Logic (ROI, Cap Rates, Utility) |
| Access | Lockboxes (agent goes in alone) | Scheduled Tours (usually requires building staff) |
4. The “Retail” Exception
There is one major exception to this rule: Retail Brokers.
If a broker specializes in leasing shopping centers or restaurants, they may occasionally work weekends or evenings. This is because their clients (restaurant owners, shopkeepers) are often busiest during the day and can only meet before the store opens or after the dinner rush.
The Reality: The “9-to-5” is an Illusion
While a commercial broker may not be touring properties on Saturday, successful brokers rarely work a strict 40-hour week. The nature of the job is highly competitive and commission-based.
- The “5 to 9”: Many brokers spend their early mornings and evenings doing administrative work, financial analysis, and market research so they can maximize their “9-to-5” hours for client meetings and cold calling.
- Networking: Much of the job involves networking events, galas, and dinners which frequently take place in the evenings.
- The “Always On” Mentality: When a multimillion-dollar deal is nearing closing, brokers are often on calls with attorneys and clients late into the night and on weekends to ensure the deal doesn’t fall apart.
Summary
Commercial brokers work M-F 9-5 because that is when the market is open. You can’t trade stocks when the exchange is closed, and you can’t tour commercial assets when the building is locked and the decision-makers are at home
Smart move: Work with a broker who understands the high-stakes timing of business-to-business transactions as a leading Toronto commercial real estate broker, Allen Mayer provides the strategic insight needed to navigate the GTA market efficiently. Businesses looking for space should review available commercial listings in Toronto by visiting the Industrial Listings curated by Allen Mayer to find their next strategic location.