Veteran commercial real estate broker branches out with one-man shop

1.14R Bruce New

Bruce Milam launched his own firm after more than 25 years in Richmond real estate.

After four decades in commercial real estate, Bruce Milam is going it alone.

Milam in recent weeks launched Bruce Commercial Realty, his own one-man real estate firm.

Milam started his career in real estate in the late 1970s as a developer in Northern Virginia, building up all sorts of projects around Dulles International Airport. Shortly after the real estate market crashed in the early 1990s, he moved to Richmond and the brokerage side of the business.

“I said, ‘I’m tired of fighting these battles.’ I sold my interest in what I had left and I moved to Richmond. I found that life was a lot easier down here. The whole blood pressure thing goes down,” Milam said, laughing.

Locally, he’s worked for Harrison & Bates, Colliers International, and most recently, Commonwealth Commercial Partners. He specializes in land and multifamily residential deals, areas that he’ll continue to focus on at Bruce Commercial Realty.

1.14R Bruce

Bruce Commercial Realty is a one-man shop. (Courtesy of Bruce Commercial Realty)

Milam said working from his home in the Museum District for an extended period of time in 2020 helped him realize that he could strike out on his own until he begins to look to retirement, something he foresees being about five years away.

“For a period of six or seven months I only went to the office twice, and I thought, why do I need to be working for someone else?” Milam said. “I realized I could do it independently and it’s a good way to wind down my career.”

Bruce Commercial Realty’s initial listings span the city and surrounding counties and include the 120-unit Atlantic at Brook Run apartments and a 17-acre commercial site just off Interstate 95 in Ashland.

Another perk of being veteran in the final stages of his career: Milam said he’s being picky about his clientele.

“I’m working with people I like: friends and long-term clients. I’m not taking on any work that’s not associated with that. It makes it easy,” he said.

1.14R Bruce New

Bruce Milam launched his own firm after more than 25 years in Richmond real estate.

After four decades in commercial real estate, Bruce Milam is going it alone.

Milam in recent weeks launched Bruce Commercial Realty, his own one-man real estate firm.

Milam started his career in real estate in the late 1970s as a developer in Northern Virginia, building up all sorts of projects around Dulles International Airport. Shortly after the real estate market crashed in the early 1990s, he moved to Richmond and the brokerage side of the business.

“I said, ‘I’m tired of fighting these battles.’ I sold my interest in what I had left and I moved to Richmond. I found that life was a lot easier down here. The whole blood pressure thing goes down,” Milam said, laughing.

Locally, he’s worked for Harrison & Bates, Colliers International, and most recently, Commonwealth Commercial Partners. He specializes in land and multifamily residential deals, areas that he’ll continue to focus on at Bruce Commercial Realty.

1.14R Bruce

Bruce Commercial Realty is a one-man shop. (Courtesy of Bruce Commercial Realty)

Milam said working from his home in the Museum District for an extended period of time in 2020 helped him realize that he could strike out on his own until he begins to look to retirement, something he foresees being about five years away.

“For a period of six or seven months I only went to the office twice, and I thought, why do I need to be working for someone else?” Milam said. “I realized I could do it independently and it’s a good way to wind down my career.”

Bruce Commercial Realty’s initial listings span the city and surrounding counties and include the 120-unit Atlantic at Brook Run apartments and a 17-acre commercial site just off Interstate 95 in Ashland.

Another perk of being veteran in the final stages of his career: Milam said he’s being picky about his clientele.

“I’m working with people I like: friends and long-term clients. I’m not taking on any work that’s not associated with that. It makes it easy,” he said.

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Taylor Williams
Taylor Williams
3 years ago

Congrats Bruce. Best of luck!

samuel nelson
samuel nelson
3 years ago

Congratulations to Bruce, a friendly fellow. It is interesting to hear remote working was a catalyst for his decision. How many other workers in other fields are thinking the same as Bruce?

John Jones
John Jones
3 years ago

What a great story!

DWF
DWF
3 years ago

Congrats Bruce and welcome to the club.
David Franke, Broker
Turnkey Real Estate Services LLC

Guy Blundon
Guy Blundon
3 years ago

Congratulations, Bruce! A great guy, and equally important, plugged in to the multi family scene in Virginia like nobody else. I’ve lost track of the number of deals we’ve done together.

Mac Bates
Mac Bates
3 years ago

Best of luck Bruce. I have fond memories of the years we worked together. Now you will find, as did I, you can’t beat the commute.

Deon Hamner
Deon Hamner
3 years ago

A good guy that has the pulse of Richmond. All the best.

Jay Wells
Jay Wells
3 years ago

Good for you Bruce. I wish you all the best!

Connell J Blankenbeckler
Connell J Blankenbeckler
3 years ago

Best wishes on your new endeavor……Let’s make some deals!

Duke Dodson
Duke Dodson
3 years ago

Congrats Bruce and good luck!

Julian Utley
Julian Utley
3 years ago

Best of luck Bruce! I always look forward to reading your comments and insight to the articles here on Richmond BizSense.

debbie reading
debbie reading
3 years ago

Congratulations and good luck Bruce!

Pete Cleal
Pete Cleal
3 years ago

Congratulations, Bruce, and best wishes for continued success. I made a similar move after 30+ years in the banking business, and wished I had done it 10 years earlier. Go Hoos!

Jen Martin
Jen Martin
3 years ago

Congrats, Bruce!!! You are going to do fantastic!

Zirkle Blakey
Zirkle Blakey
3 years ago

Congrats Bruce!

Bruce Milam
Bruce Milam
3 years ago

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and nice comments. (is this, like, Facebook?) I cant wait until we have business and friends social events again. but I swear I look better than that photo. at least a little bit.

Bruce Anderson
Bruce Anderson
3 years ago

From one Bruce to another, I wish you all the best of luck. Congratulations, my friend!

charles Frankenhoff
charles Frankenhoff
3 years ago

Congratulations Bruce! I enjoy your comments here

C. Samuel McDonald
C. Samuel McDonald
3 years ago

Congratulations Bruce! Good things come to good people, so you will do great.

larry horton
larry horton
3 years ago

Congrats Bruce-good luck!!