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.
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.
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.
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.
Congrats Bruce. Best of luck!
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?
What a great story!
Congrats Bruce and welcome to the club.
David Franke, Broker
Turnkey Real Estate Services LLC
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.
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.
A good guy that has the pulse of Richmond. All the best.
Good for you Bruce. I wish you all the best!
Best wishes on your new endeavor……Let’s make some deals!
Congrats Bruce and good luck!
Best of luck Bruce! I always look forward to reading your comments and insight to the articles here on Richmond BizSense.
Congratulations and good luck Bruce!
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!
Congrats, Bruce!!! You are going to do fantastic!
Congrats Bruce!
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.
From one Bruce to another, I wish you all the best of luck. Congratulations, my friend!
Congratulations Bruce! I enjoy your comments here
Congratulations Bruce! Good things come to good people, so you will do great.
Congrats Bruce-good luck!!