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Phone calls, hard mail…it's how we created market presence.

Creating top-of-mind awareness is paramount in the brokerage business.

How do you do that now? You utilize the same market presence pieces as before but now you have the added boost of social media.

It's all just on how you use the resources you have.

#nycrealestate #capitalmarkets #investmentsales

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Lessons Learned: Knakal Knugget #77 – One tip to help you think more clearly is to keep your desk organized: Keep your desk clean, and you will think better!

If you are like me, you tend to go quickly from one task during the day, to another, sometimes even when the primary task is not completed. This might be due to an interruption, like someone stopping by your office or your cubicle to ask a question. It might be a call from an important client. Or maybe you just have to use the restroom and when you come back you dive into a different thing on your to-do list.

Real estate is a fast-paced business and once the bell rings at 9am, the business day whirlwind has begun. Hopefully, you have gotten enough done before 9am to make the whirlwind more sane, but regardless of your preparation, the whirlwind exists and can easily become overwhelming at times. Being able to focus clearly on what you are doing is critically important.

One tip to help you think more clearly is to keep your desk organized: Keep your desk clean and you will think better! A clean and organized desk allows us to feel more in control and provides the abitly to focus a bit more clearly and to feel more in control. Try it – if you typically have a desk that is in disarray, take a few minutes to straighten it out and see how it impacts you.

Have a great day today, with a clean desk and a clear head!

#KnakalKnuggets #BKREA #NYCRealEstate

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261 networking events a year.

Why 261? Because there are approximately 261 work days per year.

Does this mean that I am at a networking even on every single day? No.

It means I maximize my time between breakfasts, lunches, dinners and conferences. Sometimes, I am at several events in a day. But I make it a goal to his 261 events per year.

How many events are you doing?

#networking #investmentsales #capitalmarkets

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On a recent podcast appearance with Brooke Cianfichi of LegaShe @legashegroup we discussed servant leadership and legacy during the Massey Knakal days.

I can say I’m most proud of the lasting legacy we built through empowering our people. Over the 26 years and 46 days of running the business, we were more than just a competitor in the real estate market. Sure, we sold over 4,000 buildings—more than three times the number of our nearest competitor in NYC from 2001 to 2014—but the real success lies in the people we developed along the way.

Paul and I always believed in servant leadership, investing heavily in our employees' professional and personal growth. Today, I take pride in seeing over 30 companies or divisions in New York City’s investment sales market that are run by individuals who learned the ropes at Massey Knakal. To me, that’s a testament to the lasting impact of empowering others to succeed beyond the walls of our office.

At the end of the day, it's not just about what we achieved in sales, but the lives we touched and the leaders we helped shape. That’s the legacy that stands the test of time.

Watch the rest of the podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/live/BVHS_FAErww?si=b0E6jmPbVx4WQy55

#ServantLeadership #NYCRealEstate #EmpoweringPeople

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After decades in the industry, some would think it would be time for me to slow down – but I'm just getting started!

Real estate isn't just my job, it's my passion. If you want to succeed, you need to love what you do and I can confidently say, I love this business.

Bo Barron on The Commercially Speaking Podcast asked, "Why start now?" I thrive on building and creating something from the ground up. Maybe it's the entrepreneurial spirit in me. Maybe it's the idea that I get the freedom to shape my own path, stay true to my values, and lead with a vision I believe in. Maybe, I'm just a poor employee! 😉

Creating @BKREA allows me to establish a platform where I can continue to do what I love every single day – interact with people, build relationships, and sell buildings.

My life is simple: I work, I work out, and I spend time with my family. Real estate has been my passion since I stumbled into it 40 years ago, and it remains my passion today. That’s why I’m here, doing what I do. It doesn't get better than this!

Watch the rest of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/YRaKpbzMjiQ?si=jTg8xIs6Y0wZkTwX

#podcastinterview #bkrea #nycrealestate

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Two more down on the journey to 3000!

Two deals closed last week—a 43,000 square foot office building on the Upper East Side slated for a storage conversion and a 77,000 square foot office building at 37 East 18th Street (The very first for BKREA – BK Real Estate Advisors!!) that will likely be converted to residential—have pushed us further on this path. That's over $50 million in sales in just one week!

A big thank you to everyone who plays a part in making these achievements possible. Your hard work, dedication, and vision are what keep us moving forward. Let's keep this momentum going and see where we land next!

Here’s to continuing our march to 3,000! 🥂

#bkrea #nycrealestate #capitalmarkets

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Lessons Learned: Knakal Knugget #75 – There are really just two things you can control: your effort and your attitude.

There are times we get very frustrated with things that are happening in our world. Things aren’t going as planned, the results are not what we expected, or we get annoyed at the way others react to certain circumstances or at what they do.

Often, what we are reacting to are things that are completely out of our control. It is very important to understand that there are many things we encounter every day that we can’t do very much about. Once we understand that, our level of frustration and our demeanor can change tangibly.

The two things we CAN completely control are our effort and our attitude.

If things aren’t going the way we want them to, have we exerted the proper effort to that initiative to increase the probability that we get the result we want? Did we spend enough time on that initiative? Did we include the input of others that could help? Did we go the extra mile to increase that probability of success?

In most things we do, we could do a bit better in the effort department. Did we get to sleep early enough? Did you wake up early enough? Did you focus enough on the matter at hand? Did you work hard enough to produce the best possible product you could have?

With regard to attitude, I have written many times about how important a positive attitude is. Our attitude can shade the way we look at things, the way we react to things, and the results we are able to produce. Regardless of what happens around us, we can choose how we are going to feel about things. No one makes us “feel” a certain way. We choose to feel a certain way. We can choose to be okay with things and not let externalities, that are out of our control, impact us.

So, remember the two things we can control: our effort and our attitude. Once we understand that, the foundation for a happier life and achieving more success in our lives, both personally and professionally, has been set and the limitless potential of this business is within reach.

#knakalknugget #bkrea #nycrealestate

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We're taking a trip down memory lane today.

As I have said before, the Massey Knakal Newsletter was pivotal in establishing our market presence back in the day.

It started out simple, but they quickly grew in into a cornerstone of our outreach, reaching over 300,000 pieces every quarter at their peak. These newsletters were not just a medium to share market insights but also a tool that helped us build and maintain strong connections within the real estate community.

Over the years, these newsletters evolved from humble beginnings into a 36-page powerhouse of information that kept our readers engaged and informed.

Recently, Ed Winslow the very first salesman we hired at Massey Knakal, surprised me with a piece of our history I thought was lost forever—the missing newsletter from the summer of 1990.

This little legal-sized sheet of paper, folded in half and copied on a simple copy machine during the S&L crisis, brought back so many memories. It's amazing to see how something that seemed lost forever found its way back, adding another piece to our rich archives.

For those of you interested in seeing more of our history, head over to BobKnakal.com. You can find more of our archived newsletters in the Writing section. It’s a treasure trove of market knowledge and a testament to the consistency and dedication that defined our early days.

And stay tuned because these newsletters are going to be making their way back to you soon!

#ThrowbackThursday #BKREA #NYCRealEstate

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When someone asks, "How's the market?" it's tempting to answer with a simple adjective like "good" or "bad." But the truth is, the market deserves more than just a superficial label. It deserves facts, figures, and a deeper understanding of what's really happening on the ground.

In a recent episode of the Commercialyl Speaking Podcast with Bo Barron and his brother Timmy, I discussed how different sectors of New York City's real estate market are performing in unique ways.

For example, the industrial market is thriving, retail is bouncing back, while the multifamily and B/C office sectors face challenges due to policy changes and interest rate pressures.

The takeaway?

Ditch the vague adjectives and start conversations with data-driven insights. It’s not just about making predictions; it’s about understanding the complexities of the market landscape.

Watch the entire episode here: https://youtu.be/YRaKpbzMjiQ?si=zdEXcxEr30Q7CB6T

Connect with Bob:

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

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

#nycrealestate #investmentsalesnyc #capitalmarkets #bobknakal

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Today’s Throwback Thursday is coming to you straight from the heart of the BKREA offices. I’m here bright and early, soaking in that quiet productivity before the day kicks into high gear.

But today’s throwback isn’t just about being the first one in the office—it's about something special I found while unpacking old boxes: the original Massey Knakal tie! 👔

Back around 1999 or 2000, we had these ties made and handed them out to our team. This tie, in pristine condition, had been tucked away for years, and I couldn't resist putting it on today. It’s amazing how something as simple as a tie can bring back so many memories of our journey and the incredible people who’ve been a part of it.

As I sit here in the bullpen, wearing this piece of history, it’s a reminder of where we’ve been and how far we’ve come. Here’s to the past, the present, and the future! We're going to hustle with the same energy and enthusiasm we’ve always had. 💪

Hope you’re all having a great Thursday—go out there and make it a productive one!

#ThrowbackThursday #BKREA #NYCRealEstate

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The investment sales business is a highly personal and local business. Over the years, I have seen how those personal connections far outweigh the logo on your business card.

This very thought process is what caused my to create my baseball business card. As I explained to Jesse J. Fragale on the Working Capital Podcast, this marketing presence piece was in response to a client not knowing I had moved firms. It is a fun way to share my career journey with my clients and remind them of the expertise I bring to the table, regardless of what company I work for.

What clients value most isn't the company you work for; they value the relationship you have built with them, your knowledge of the market, and the trust that you've developed over time.

In investment sales, your success is deeply local and personal. The connections you create are what truly drive our business forward.

You can watch the rest of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/c95DcaiveY4?si=GrkRfKLvTBUqZxr-

#InvestmentSales #BKREA #NYCRealEstate

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Lessons Learned: Knakal Knugget #73: “Good words cost naught”. No cost and just a small bit of effort but it will produce great results.

There are several times each day when someone does something nice for us. It could be as simple as holding a door, asking how you are, or as difficult as giving advice to help us with a tough situation.

The “good deed” may not even be a deed at all. Maybe you just realize that you appreciate something they did for you long ago or appreciate them just for being them and the enrichment they provide to your life.

Letting them know how you feel takes relatively little effort and means a tremendous amount to the recipient. Many times, people do nice things for us just because they are nice people. They may not be looking for recognition or acknowledgment at all. However, if you recognize the kindness, you are sure to give that person a special gift of being appreciated and they will feel great about the fact that you recognized their kindness.

Part of a Servant Leadership management approach is to provide feedback to people. It is said that among the cruelest things to do to someone is to not give them feedback on how they are doing – whether that feedback is positive or negative! While the person you are praising may not be under your “management” oversite, providing positive feedback encourages more of that behavior that you find so positive. This kind of acknowledgment produces what economists refer to as a "positive feedback loop" – the more you recognize the positive activities, the more of that positive activity you get.

That being said, today’s message is a quote and a proverb from an unnamed source: “Good words cost naught”.

No cost and just a small bit of effort but it will produce great results!

Thank you to all of you for recognizing those who do you a kindness and for acknowledging them. Please pass those low-cost words along to those in your life who did you a kindness and should be recognized for doing so!

#KnakalKnugget #BKREA #NYCRealEstate

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A great story and a masterclass in negotiation, timing, and strategic thinking.

Stephen Siegel, Chairman of Global Brokerage at CBRE, shared one of his favorite deals: a tax-free exchange and reselling the same building 13 months later on the first episode of The Bob Knakal Show.

Reflecting on this experience, Stephen said, “That was an exciting deal for a variety of reasons… the negotiations, being able to preempt the opportunity to buy a building, and dealing with all the international drama and structure. And having it all happen within a 13-month timeframe.”

It's all about the power of foresight and the ability to seize opportunities—qualities that help define successful commercial real estate brokers.

The entire show can be found on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/OaDiflSF65Y or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

#TheBobKnakalShow #BKREA #NYCRealEstate

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"I believe if you're looking at the clock, or you got to get somewhere for something that's not work-related, that interferes not only with your work time but your thought process." – Stephen Siegel, Chairman of CBRE.

My co-host for The Bob Knakal Show Jillian Mariutti asked Steve what some of the advice he would give his 20-something-year-old self and he had a fantastic response.

Watch the clip below from the inaugural episode to find out what the rest of his answer is.

Is this the kind of advice you'd give your 20-something-year-old?

Episode 1 of The Bob Knakal Show is available now on my Youtube channel. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/OaDiflSF65Y

#TheBobKnakalShow #BKREA #NYCRealEstate

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I recently had a great convo about a topic near and dear to my heart—cold calling and prospecting in our industry. I wanted to share some insights that I believe could be transformative for your career.

📌 Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:

1️⃣ Cold Calling is Fundamental
2️⃣ The Importance of Prospecting
3️⃣ Quality Conversations Matter

Thanks @drewbrenneman for having me on! It was a pleasure.

#capitalmarkets #nycrealestate #investmentsales

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Knakal Knugget #71: Knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do!

Our business is a busy one with many moving parts. We all have more on our plates then we can possibly accomplish and new things pop-up all the time. How do you succeed? How do you cope? How do you achieve your goals? How do you not become a chicken running around with his head cut off? I offer a couple of one-word answers: think, plan, discipline, focus.

“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” – Peter Drucker

People who are not performing up to expectations are simply doing ineffective things all day. Rather than stopping and deciding what would be the right thing to do, they do the wrong things faster and faster, stressing out more and more over the “workload”. There is no “workload” to worry about if you are doing the right thing. There’s only that thing.

As time management specialist David Allen says of today’s business leaders: “You have more to do than you can possibly do. You just need to feel good about your choices.”

Multitasking is the greatest myth in modern-day business. The thinking part of the brain itself does not multitask, and so people do not really multitask. The human system is not set up that way. The system has one thought at a time. If you think you are multitasking it is likely you are just doing one thing poorly and then quickly moving on to another thing and doing it poorly and quickly.

Business efficiency expert Kerry Gleason has noted, “The constant unproductive preoccupation with all the things we have to do is the single largest consumer of time and energy.”

Successful people are able to find ways to relax into an extremely purposeful day, goal–oriented and focused on the highest priority activity. They can think clearly at any given moment. Sure they get distracted, and sure, some people call them and problems come up. But they know what to return to because they know their purpose. Because they choose it.

You must think about what you were doing and why. Here are some tips for focusing on the correct things:

✅ Look at your To-Do list and select 3 priorities for each day and make sure you get those done.
✅ Make your plan and use discipline to stick to it.
✅ Make a Not-To-Do list of things that are not important and that you feel you waste time on.

Be a success. It’s in you. Know your purpose.

#knakalknugget #bkrea #nycrealestate

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You have to stay ahead of the curve. Here are several key points related to the differences in how banks have handled distressed assets in various economic downturns.

🏢 Historical Perspectives: S&L Crisis (Early '90s): During this tumultuous period, banks took a hands-on approach. They foreclosed on distressed properties and hired brokers for exclusive sales.

Early 2000s Recession: Fast forward to the early 2000s, and we witnessed a shift in strategy. Banks decided to avoid foreclosure hassles by exclusively hiring brokers to sell distressed debt.

🔄 The Winds of Change: Currently, banks are adopting a new paradigm. Rather than engaging brokers to sell debt, they're reaching out directly to their customers, offering the opportunity to acquire debt at discounted rates.

💼 Unlocking Opportunities: This shift underscores the significance of nurturing strong client relationships. As commercial real estate professionals, we can leverage this evolving landscape to deepen our collaborations with financial institutions, thereby creating value for all parties involved.

📺Special thanks to Noah Rosenblatt and John Walkup of UrbanDigs for having me on your podcast. You can watch the entire thing here:
https://youtu.be/xf4AbJg5G6A?si=1rtAq5a1SELOFOU6

#theknakalmaproom #NYCrealestate #Podcast

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The Bob Knakal Show is officially launched!

On this inaugural episode, my friend and mentor, the legendary Stephen Siegel joins me my cohost Jillian Mariutti on stage.

Steve shares his incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming the Chairman of Global Brokerage at CBRE. His story is not just inspiring but a really showcases how hard work, resilience, and the power of relationships in the real estate industry.

In this clip, you'll hear the story of how Steve went from rent and collections to the listing desk and what he did with his very first commission check. 😆 It's a story about the early struggles and triumphs that many of us in the industry can relate to.

🔗 Watch the full episode to hear more about Steve's rise to the top, his advice for young professionals, and some fascinating anecdotes from his illustrious career. Don't miss out on these invaluable insights from one of the industry's best!

https://youtu.be/OaDiflSF65Y

🔔 Be sure to follow for more episodes featuring the titans of real estate, and let's continue to learn and grow together!

#TheBobKnakalShow #BKREA #NYCRealEstate

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Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Bob Knakal Show! Join Bob Knakal, Chairman and CEO of BKREA, and his co-host Jillian Mariutti as they delve into the incredible journey of Stephen Siegel, a true titan of the real estate industry. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, this episode is packed with fascinating insights, personal stories, and professional wisdom from Stephen's extensive career.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

– Stephen Siegel's early life and how he grew up in the Bronx (not as a Yankee fan!).
– His first jobs, including delivering leaflets and working in a candy store.
– The pivotal moments in his career, from starting in the mailroom to becoming the Chairman of Global Brokerage at CBRE.
– His philosophy on hard work, mentorship, and success in the real estate industry.
– Engaging anecdotes about legendary figures in real estate and much more!

The Bob Knakal Show is brought to you by CREXI.

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes!

Timestamps:

1:20 – Bob and Jillian's market overview
2:12 – Introduction of Stephen Siegel
2:35 – Stephen's upbringing in the Bronx and his National League allegiance
3:21 – Iconic outfielders: Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Duke Snider
4:25 – Early jobs: Delivering leaflets and working at a candy store
6:03 – Making the best egg cream
7:36 – First real estate job at Bing and Bing
8:54 – Meeting Paul Newman at Bing and Bing
9:52 – Transition to Cushman & Wakefield
10:13 – Studying accounting and moving to the brokerage side
11:05 – Lessons from rent collection and the listing desk
13:42 – First commission check story
15:54 – Becoming Chairman of Cushman & Wakefield
17:47 – Opening an office in New Jersey
19:30 – Expansion strategy and opening new offices
22:00 – Challenges of management versus brokerage
23:15 – Advice to young professionals
24:02 – Leaving Cushman & Wakefield for development with Chubb
26:43 – Formation of ESG with Edward S. Gordon
28:05 – Expanding ESG to a national and international level
30:00 – Acquisition and sale of ESG to CBRE
32:43 – Favorite deals and tax-free exchanges
34:01 – Reflections on growth and legacy in the industry

Connect with Bob:

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

Website: https://www.bobknakal.com

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

#nycrealestate #investmentsalesnyc #capitalmarkets #bobknakal

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I was always fascinated by numbers, especially when it came to baseball cards. The statistics on the back intrigued me, and I even tracked my own stats as a Little League pitcher.

As an eight-year-old in Northern New Jersey, I played baseball at the Maywood Boys Club, and I was a total statistics geek. I'd spend hours poring over the back of baseball cards, analyzing the numbers and tracking my own stats as a Little League pitcher. ⚾📈

That passion for numbers stuck with me, and when I landed at the Wharton School in 1981, my sights were set on a career in investment banking. Little did I know, fate had other plans for me. During spring break, I roamed Northern Jersey with my resume, hoping to land that perfect banking job. 🌆💼

📺Special thanks to Richard Nassimi of NassimiTalks for having me on your podcast. You can watch the entire thing here:
https://youtu.be/CzU_CD4CC4c?si=1dgViLfX17ohSyGZ

#theknakalmaproom #NYCrealestate #Podcast

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