McCroskey finds variety in residential, commercial sales

While he's mostly known for selling real estate in downtown and midtown, Bob McCroskey said he enjoys selling commercial and residential properties all over Springfield.

Some of the buildings he has sold in the midtown and downtown areas include 300 W. McDaniel St., the home of Urban Districts Alliance and Wellspring Cafe, and 225 E. Commercial St., formerly a music store, now a retail store and loft apartments.

He also sold the Professional Massage Training Center a bigger building at 229 E. Commercial St., just up the street from the center's former location.

McCroskey has been a Realtor for 24 years. He said he got into the business because it offered the ability to make a living without having to travel.

"You can work for yourself," McCroskey said. "But, financially, you only get out of it what you put into it."

He has no employees preferring to work alone with his cell phone.

His company, Bob McCroskey Real Estate, is located on his property north of Springfield.

He said he sells commercial and residential properties because both have their positive aspects.

"Residential is more cutting-edge," he said. "There are more innovations. Things change faster with residential properties."

But while selling residential property can become repetitive, commercial real estate is more varied, McCroskey said. "This is because when you're selling commercial property, it's often more technical and takes more creative financing."

McCroskey has a restaurant and a convenience store for sale. But because they're older businesses, they present a challenge in selling that he enjoys.

"All new developments are simpler to sell," he said. "But with the older ones, there's more to consider with profit and loss margins and that kind of thing."

He gets a number of his business referrals from people he's met while involved in various midtown and downtown civic groups. Until recently, he was the president of the North Springfield Betterment Association for three years.

"I have a high exposure due to my civic activities," McCroskey said. "I get a lot of referrals and know a lot of people."

In addition to selling real estate, McCroskey is hoping to have 324 Park Central West renovated.

"It's in the planning stages right now," he said. "There will be either a restaurant or a retail store on the first level. The second, third and fourth floors will be loft apartments." McCroskey said the real estate market in Springfield has been great for years and it looks like it's going to stay that way.