I've never relied on just one tool or piece of software.

The real advantage comes from experience, market knowledge, and a strong team that knows how to use technology effectively. Tools evolve, but fundamentals and expertise are what truly drive results.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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One of the things I've learned over the years in commercial real estate is that big projects attract big opinions.

And sometimes the loudest voices are not necessarily the majority voices.

In Episode 9 of The Bob Knakal Show, MaryAnne Gilmartin talked about the psychological side of leading Atlantic Yards, one of the most complex and controversial development projects in New York history.

What struck me was her perspective on conviction.

She talked about having the data. She talked about having support. But she also talked about how technology and media can make it difficult to separate perception from reality.

Her point was simple.

If you're building something meaningful, you better believe in what you're doing.

Because leadership gets tested when there's pressure, criticism, and uncertainty.

MaryAnne shares lessons from a career spent building some of New York City's most important projects, and there is a lot in this conversation that applies far beyond real estate.

Watch the full Episode 9 here: https://youtu.be/3ORD_4WszxE

Once again, thanks to Crexi for sponsoring The Bob Knakal Show. Couldn't do it without you, my friends!

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How do you go from a young urban fellow to one of the most influential real estate developers in New York City?

In this episode of The Bob Knakal Show, MaryAnne Gilmartin shares her incredible journey through public service, real estate development, leadership, and some of New York City’s most transformative projects. From MetroTech and the New York Times Building to Atlantic Yards and MAG Partners, this conversation dives into resilience, ambition, mentorship, and what it really takes to succeed in one of the toughest industries in the world.


– Why being underestimated became one of her biggest strengths
– The lessons she learned from public service and economic development
– How Brooklyn became a major business district before anyone believed in it
– What it was like leading the controversial Atlantic Yards project
– Why relationships and mentorship matter in real estate
– The importance of resilience, preparation, and “weaponizing competency”
– How MAG Partners was built around purpose-driven development
– Why New York City remains one of the hardest—and most rewarding—places to build

🔔 Subscribe & hit the bell to get notified when new episodes drop

▶️ Whether you're a young broker, developer, entrepreneur, or simply fascinated by New York City real estate, this episode is packed with wisdom, leadership lessons, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the industry’s top builders

Connect with Bob:

🔔 Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://linktr.ee/bobknakalnyc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobknakal/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BobKnakalNYC
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobKnakal

#nycrealestate #investmentsalesnyc #capitalmarkets #bobknakal

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Our map room has always been something special, reserved for clients we know and trust.

It's a place where real insights and real conversations happen. But I do see a future where we open that access up a bit more.

The value is too great not to share.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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In today's business world, information alone is no longer enough.

The real competitive advantage comes from proprietary information.

In this video, Bob Knakal explains why unique market intelligence, specialized knowledge, and relationship-driven data create opportunities that others simply cannot see.

After competing against some of the largest firms in the world for a major assignment, one lesson became clear:

The firms with the most resources do not always win.

The firms with the best information often do.

You'll learn:

• Why proprietary information creates a competitive edge
• How better market intelligence improves decision-making
• Why specialization matters in commercial real estate
• The role relationships play in creating unique opportunities
• How information can drive billion-dollar outcomes

Whether you are a commercial real estate investor, broker, entrepreneur, developer, or business owner, understanding how information creates leverage can completely change the way you approach your business.

We are not just in the real estate business.

We are in the information business.

Subscribe for more insights on commercial real estate, investment strategy, brokerage, negotiation, and maximizing value.

#BobKnakal #CommercialRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #NYCRealEstate #CapitalMarkets #RealEstateBroker #InvestmentSales #BusinessStrategy #MarketIntelligence #Entrepreneurship

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At Massey Knakal, we focused on building more than just a team, we built a culture.

We hired people with different backgrounds and skill sets, because diversity made us stronger.

But just as important was creating an environment where everyone felt connected and supported. That sense of camaraderie is what drove our success.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Who actually succeeds in commercial real estate?

One of the hardest things to predict in this business is who is truly built for sales.

Early on, we hired someone who was the valedictorian at Harvard. On paper, he looked like the perfect candidate. Smart, accomplished, impressive credentials. Less than a year later, he was out of the business.

Success in brokerage is not determined by resumes alone. It comes down to characteristics that can't always be measured on paper.

A few qualities we always looked for:
→ Likability and the ability to connect with people naturally
→ The kind of personality you genuinely want to spend time with
→ Resilience and comfort handling rejection
→ Communication skills that build trust quickly

If you didn't want to go out and have a beer with them at the end of the day, you didn't offer them a job.

#CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #NYCRealEstate

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In New York, I've seen a clear shift. Class A space continues to outperform, driven by demand for quality and upgraded amenities.

Even with affordability concerns, tenants are still gravitating toward better products. It's a reminder that in every market, people will pay for quality.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Long-term planning matters more than most people realize.

In this conversation with Eli on the SFB Podcast, Bob Knakal talked about the decision-making process behind selling Massey Knakal and how years of preparation, market awareness, and discipline positioned the firm at the right moment.

What stood out most was how far in advance the plan was made. The decision to potentially sell the company was discussed years before the transaction actually happened, with a focus on timing, leadership perception, and market conditions.

A few important themes from the conversation:
→ Building a business with a long-term exit strategy in mind
→ Understanding how buyers evaluate leadership and longevity
→ Navigating the financial crisis while protecting the company's future
→ Reinvesting in people and rebuilding quickly when the market recovered
→ Recognizing when market momentum creates opportunity

One of the most interesting parts of the discussion was the reminder that strong businesses are often built during difficult periods and rewarded when markets rebound.

Timing matters, but preparation matters even more.

#CommercialRealEstate #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth

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One lesson I've learned over the years: don't do it alone.

Some of the best decisions I've made came from seeking advice and surrounding myself with people who had deeper experience than I did.

Mentors and advisory boards can save you from costly mistakes and help you see opportunities you might have missed.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Early in my career, I came to believe something that might sound counterintuitive.

The best prospects were often the ones who wouldn't take your call.

The people who hung up on you.
The people who never called back.
The people who seemed impossible to reach.

Because if you could eventually break through and build a relationship with them, you knew something important.

Why the hardest prospects can become the best clients

• If they hang up on you, they're hanging up on everyone else too
• Breaking through creates a real competitive advantage
• Persistence is often what separates you from other brokers
• The toughest relationships to start can become the strongest over time

Over the years, many of those once "unreachable" people became clients.

And eventually, many of them became friends.

#CommercialRealEstate #BrokerageLessons #RealEstateCareers

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One thing I've learned over the years is that the top producers in any business almost always share the same traits.

Passion.
Expertise.
Discipline.

The other morning, I found myself walking the streets of Nebraska City, Nebraska, on my way to speak to a group of top-producing agents at the Keller Williams Realty, LLC Top Producers event at Arbor Day Farm Resort.

It reminded me of something important: success leaves clues.

The people who consistently perform at a high level are usually not the smartest in the room, the luckiest in the room, or the most connected in the room. They are simply the people who show up every single day with consistency and purpose.

They make the calls. Follow up. Network. Learn. Improve. They stay disciplined when others become distracted.

Over four decades in this business, I've found that passion is what gets you started; expertise is what creates value, but discipline is what separates the professionals from everyone else.

Discipline is making the extra call when you're tired. It's preparing when nobody is watching. And staying focused when the market gets difficult.

Momentum tends to follow disciplined action. It's not motivation or inspiration. It's action.

As I've said before, the longest journey begins with a single step. Once momentum builds, remarkable things can happen.

Wherever today finds you, keep moving forward.

Make the call.
Set the meeting.
Take the flight.
Walk the street.
Build the relationship.

You never know which small action today will become the foundation for something extraordinary tomorrow.

#WednesdayWisdom #AWalkDownTheStreet #BobKnakal

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My success has always come down to focus and putting clients first.

This business isn't just about real estate, it's about information and relationships. Every deal is a series of small wins, and those moments are what keep me motivated every day.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Episode 8 of The Bob Knakal Show features an incredible conversation with Mary Ann Tighe, CEO of the Tri-State Region at CBRE and one of the most accomplished commercial real estate brokers in the United States.

In this clip, Mary Ann shares the unbelievable story of how she went from working at the Smithsonian to receiving an opportunity at the White House after boldly offering to write speeches for the Vice President's wife.

The lesson?

Success in commercial real estate, and in life, often comes down to having the courage to take a shot before you feel ready.

This episode is filled with insights on:

Commercial real estate brokerage success
Competitive mindset and leadership
Career growth and personal ambition
Risk-taking and opportunity creation
Building confidence in business
Lessons from one of the top brokers in CRE

Mary Ann's journey from the South Bronx to the top of the commercial real estate industry is packed with lessons for brokers, entrepreneurs, investors, and young professionals looking to elevate their careers.

🎥 Watch the FULL Episode 8 here:
https://youtu.be/3wCAczU83gg

Subscribe for more interviews with the biggest names in commercial real estate, investment sales, development, and brokerage.

#MaryAnnTighe #BobKnakal #CommercialRealEstate #CRE #CBRE #RealEstateBroker #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #SuccessMindset #NYCRealEstate

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Four decades in the New York real estate market have taught me one thing:

Passion for the business never stops evolving.

The key is staying curious, continuing to grow, and always finding new ways to add value in the industry.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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What makes someone truly successful in business?

According to Bob Knakal, it starts with passion.

In this clip, Bob shares why the most successful people treat their work like a hobby—and why loving the process is often the biggest competitive advantage in business.

He explains:
→ Why passion helps people survive tough market cycles
→ The danger of chasing money instead of purpose
→ How top performers outlast the competition
→ Why burnout happens when motivation is only financial
→ The mindset young professionals need to build long-term success

Whether you're in commercial real estate, entrepreneurship, sales, or leadership, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success usually follows people who genuinely love what they do.

Thanks, Nadav Benedek for this podcast. Incredible what you're doing and I am happy to have been a guest on your show. You can catch the whole episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghvy21vXX3s

#CommercialRealEstate #Entrepreneurship #SuccessMindset #Leadership #BobKnakal

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What happens if you don't evolve in real estate?

You get left behind.

On The Bob Knakal Show, Bruce Mosler shared how the industry rapidly shifted from local to national and eventually global.

And they saw it early.

If they stayed local, they would lose major clients.

So they made a move.

They expanded, built a national platform, and scaled across the country.

That decision changed everything.

In this business, standing still isn't safe.

It's a risk.

The winners don't react to change.

They move before it happens.

#BobKnakalShow #BruceMosler #RealEstate #BusinessGrowth #ThrowbackThursday

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I've always believed that expertise matters, but context matters just as much.

You can know a product inside and out, but without a deep understanding of the local market, you're missing half the picture.

The best brokers combine both product knowledge and market insight to truly serve their clients at a high level.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Become the expert.

I get calls every week from young brokers. They say, "Bob, I've been in the business two or three years. I'm competing with people who have been doing this for twenty. How do I compete?"

The assumption behind the question is that time in the business equals expertise. It does not.

Focus equals expertise.

Let me ask you a simple question. If you sell apartment buildings in your market, how many buildings are there? Not approximately. Exactly.

How many sold last year?
How many sold the year before?
What was the average price per square foot?
The average price per unit?
The average cap rate?

If you do not know the answers to these questions, someone else will. And that someone else becomes the expert.

Early in my career, we learned that knowing your territory was not optional. It was mandatory. Our entire system was built around becoming hyper focused experts in defined geographic areas . When you know every building, every owner, every sale, every zoning nuance, you walk into a meeting differently.

Confidence is born from preparation.

Imagine sitting across from an owner who is considering selling. Instead of speaking in generalities, you say:

"There are 312 buildings like yours in this market. Twelve sold last year. The average price per square foot was $487. The average cap rate was 5.6 percent. Based on your rent roll and location, here is exactly where you fit."

You think that owner is not impressed? You think the broker with twenty years of "experience" who cannot quote those numbers off the top of his head has the advantage?

Experience without focus is just time.
Specialization is a competitive weapon.

When you narrow your territory and master it, you compress decades of perceived experience into a few intense years of disciplined study and action.

Walk the streets. Count the buildings. Track every sale. Know the players. Understand the zoning. Study the trends.

Do this consistently and you will not feel like the young broker trying to compete with veterans. You will be the market expert.

And here is the secret: most people will not do the work. They will say they want to dominate their market, but they will not map it, measure it, and memorize it.

Opportunity lies in what others are unwilling to do.

If you want a competitive advantage, earn it.

#MondayMotivational #KnakalKnuggets #BKREA

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For a long time, I underestimated the power of putting myself out there. What I've learned is simple: visibility drives opportunity.

The more present you are in the market, the higher the probability you create better outcomes for your clients. Use every tool available, social media, networking, speaking, because being known is a real advantage in this business.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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If you want to become a top commercial real estate broker, you need more than theory.

In this video, Bob Knakal shares lessons from 42 years in the business, including over 2,398 buildings sold totaling more than $24 billion.

This is not about shortcuts.

It is about what actually works.

Inside this video:

How to win listings against stronger competition
How to build a personal brand that attracts opportunities
How to prospect consistently and build pipeline
How to negotiate and move deals forward
How top performers think and operate

These are the same principles behind the Knakal DealMakers Knetwork, a live mentorship community for brokers, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs who want to perform at a higher level.

Two live sessions each month. Real situations. Real strategies.

Launch date: May 5, 2026

If you are serious about improving your results, this is where to start.

Join the waitlist here: https://knakal-dealmakers-knetwork.socialmasteryvip.com/home-page

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