Where does real drive come from?

In this clip from HubSpot's "Day in the Life" documentary, I share a very personal story about losing my mother while I was in college and how that experience shaped my understanding of purpose, ambition, and success.

For years, I was searching for something meaningful. Looking back, I realized that much of my motivation came from wanting to live up to the belief my mother always had in me.

I believe many highly driven people are searching for something. While you don't have to experience hardship to find your purpose, sometimes pain has a way of revealing your why.

If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Watch the full "Day in the Life" documentary on @TheScienceofScaling YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yybIRmF83ek&t=211s

#Purpose #Leadership #Motivation #PersonalGrowth #Success


Connect with Bob:

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#nycrealestate #investmentsalesnyc #capitalmarkets #bobknakal

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AI is changing the way we work, but it hasn't changed the value of relationships.

I still spend a significant amount of my time meeting people, attending events, and expanding my network. The difference today is that I combine those traditional habits with AI to work smarter, stay organized, and uncover new opportunities.

Technology is a powerful tool, but people will always be the foundation of this business.


Watch the full video now on YouTube. 🔗


#BKREA #NYCRealEstate #CRE #BrokerLife #RealEstateBroker

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Over the course of my career, my focus has evolved.

Early on, I spent much of my time managing people. Today, my priority is serving clients and never stopping the pursuit of learning. Staying curious and surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking is one of the best ways to keep growing.

Watch the full video now on YouTube. 🔗


#BKREA #NYCRealEstate #CRE #BrokerLife #RealEstateBroker

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The best career decisions aren't always part of the original plan.

When I spoke with John Schultz, I reflected on how I found my way into commercial real estate, and the truth is, it happened by accident. As a student at Wharton, I had every intention of pursuing a career in investment banking. Like many students at the time, that was the path I had mapped out for myself.

One afternoon, while dropping off résumés, I walked into what I thought was another bank. It turned out to be a Coldwell Banker office. That unexpected stop led to a summer internship, and before long, I realized I had found a business that genuinely excited me. Each summer gave me a new opportunity to learn, from market research to working alongside experienced brokers and eventually showing industrial properties to tenants. Every experience reinforced that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

When I graduated, I made the decision to come to New York and begin my career. That first day introduced me to Paul Massey, and together we built a partnership that would shape the next several decades of my professional life. Looking back, it's remarkable how one unexpected decision opened the door to opportunities I never could have planned.

Careers rarely follow a straight line. Stay curious, embrace opportunities you didn't anticipate, and give yourself the chance to discover something you truly enjoy. Sometimes the path you never intended to take becomes the one that defines your life.

#CommercialRealEstate #CareerGrowth #Leadership

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In this video, Bob Knakal announces the successful closing of one of New York City's significant development land transactions.

BKREA represented Vornado in the sale of a 1.2 million buildable square foot development site in Rego Park, Queens, which was acquired by Northwell Health for approximately $236 million.

The transaction marks another milestone in Bob Knakal's record-setting career, bringing his lifetime total to 2,406 building sales, while approaching 100 million square feet sold and $25 billion in transaction volume.

In this video, you'll learn:

– Details of the $236 million Rego Park development site sale
– Why this transaction is significant for the New York City land market
– The importance of long-term client relationships in commercial real estate
– An update on Bob Knakal's career milestones from the Knakal Map Room

If you're interested in:

NYC commercial real estate
Development sites
Land sales
Investment sales
Capital markets
Commercial brokerage
New York City market trends

be sure to subscribe for more market updates, deal stories, and insights from the Knakal Map Room.

#BobKnakal #CommercialRealEstate #NYCRealEstate #DevelopmentSite #InvestmentSales #LandSales #QueensRealEstate #RegoPark #CapitalMarkets #BKREA

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I've always believed there's enough business for everyone.

The more we share what we know, the stronger our industry becomes. Some people see knowledge as something to protect. I see it as something to invest in. The relationships and opportunities that come from helping others have always outweighed the fear of creating competition.

Watch the full video now on YouTube.


#BKREA #NYCRealEstate #CRE #BrokerLife #RealEstateBroker

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What happens when one of the most recognized names in commercial real estate gets fired?

In this clip from the Pitch Masters Podcast, Bob Knakal shares the story of being let go on Valentine's Day 2024, just days after receiving a major profile in The New York Times.

More importantly, he explains why that moment became one of the biggest turning points of his career.

Bob discusses:

Why market presence is about serving clients, not feeding your ego
The importance of building a personal brand
How setbacks often create unexpected opportunities
Why clarity can come from adversity
The mindset that helped launch the next chapter of his career

A special thank you to Danny Fontaine for inviting Bob onto the Pitch Masters Podcast for such an engaging and thoughtful conversation.

Watch the full episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02UfQAXgrjk

If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more stories, insights, and lessons from over four decades in New York City investment sales.

#BobKnakal #PitchMasters #DannyFontaine #CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #PersonalBrand #Business #Resilience #NYCRealEstate

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In this video, Bob Knakal reflects on transitioning between entrepreneurial ventures and corporate roles, citing reasons such as market dynamics and contractual obligations.

He discusses the renewed entrepreneurial spirit following recent career changes.

Special thanks to Jamie Bateman from the From Adversity to Abundance Channel for having Bob on his podcast.

For the complete episode, visit his YT channel at:
https://youtu.be/S27VAvCjNTo?si=mqv_HtfVqfAKswBv

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Market presence isn't about ego, it's about creating better outcomes for clients.

The more visible and connected I am in the industry, the greater the likelihood I can connect with the right people to deliver exceptional results.

Every effort to build your profile should ultimately serve one purpose: increasing the probability of success for your clients.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Your ability to connect with people can change the trajectory of your career.

That was one of my favorite parts of my conversation with Eli Schukman.

Real estate has always been a relationship business.

The strongest relationships begin with strong communication.

I've met people who can make a conversation feel effortless within minutes.

They build trust quickly.

They make people feel heard.

It looks natural, but it's a skill that can be developed with intention and practice.

Public speaking is one of the best ways to strengthen that skill.

The more comfortable you become communicating your ideas, the more confidence you bring into every meeting, presentation, and conversation.

Over time, those conversations become relationships.

And those relationships become opportunities.

Investing in your ability to communicate is one of the best investments you can make in your career.

#CommercialRealEstate #Leadership #RealEstateSuccess

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Is commercial real estate the ultimate meritocracy?

In this episode of A Walk Down the Street, Bob Knakal explains why commercial real estate brokerage rewards performance more than almost any other profession. Using a simple analogy about two bakers, Bob shares his philosophy on leadership, coaching, productivity, and why investing time in high performers often creates the greatest impact.

If you're a commercial real estate broker, investor, entrepreneur, business owner, or leader looking to improve your team's performance, this episode offers a practical framework for thinking about productivity and maximizing results.

In this video you'll learn:
• Why commercial real estate is a true meritocracy
• The "100 donut baker" analogy and what it teaches about leadership
• How to think about coaching and developing top performers
• Why productivity compounds over time
• Lessons from building one of New York City's most successful brokerage companies

The principles discussed in this video helped shape the culture at Massey Knakal and contributed to the development of dozens of future brokerage leaders throughout the industry.

If you enjoy discussions about commercial real estate, brokerage, leadership, investing, business growth, entrepreneurship, and maximizing performance, subscribe for more insights from Bob Knakal.

Leave a comment below:
Do you believe leaders should spend more time developing top performers or helping those who are struggling? I'd love to hear your perspective.

Like this video if you found it valuable and share it with someone building a business or leading a team.

#CommercialRealEstate #RealEstateBroker #Leadership #Productivity #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #BobKnakal #CRE #InvestmentSales #CommercialBroker

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How can a building have 22,000 square feet on a 20,000 square-foot site?

The answer is understanding the loss factor. Corridor widths, common areas, and even the number of restrooms all affect how much space is actually usable. Knowing the difference between rentable and usable space is essential when evaluating commercial real estate.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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What would you do if your employer offered you $3 million…or told you you're fired?

In this episode of the PitchMasters Podcast, legendary New York City commercial real estate broker Bob Knakal shares the incredible true story of how Cushman & Wakefield gave him an ultimatum that ultimately changed the course of his career.

Instead of hearing the news directly, Bob learned he had been fired by reading The Real Deal.

In this conversation with Danny Fontaine, Bob discusses:

• The $3 million contract offer
• Why he refused to make a rushed decision
• Finding out he was fired through the media
• Why setbacks often become your biggest opportunities
• Lessons on negotiation, conviction, leadership, and resilience
• Building one of the most successful careers in commercial real estate

Whether you're in commercial real estate, sales, entrepreneurship, or leadership, this story is packed with lessons about making difficult decisions under pressure and betting on yourself.

A huge thank you to Danny Fontaine for having me on the PitchMasters Podcast. It was a terrific conversation.

Watch the full interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02UfQAXgrjk

If you enjoyed this clip:

Subscribe for more commercial real estate insights
Like the video
Leave a comment: What career decision changed your life?
Keywords

Bob Knakal, Commercial Real Estate, NYC Real Estate, Cushman and Wakefield, Real Estate Broker, Sales Leadership, Negotiation, Entrepreneurship, Career Advice, Business Podcast, PitchMasters Podcast, Danny Fontaine, Real Estate Investing, Leadership Lessons, Business Stories

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The best brokers evolve with the market.

I expanded into loan origination because my clients needed more than brokerage, they needed solutions. When you adapt to changing market conditions and focus on creating value, you position yourself for long-term success.

Always evolve with purpose.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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The most valuable data isn't always the biggest database.

I've always believed that proprietary information creates a real competitive advantage. When you focus on a specific niche and build your own data over time, you gain insights that no aggregator can replicate.

That's how you separate yourself in this business.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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What if the best real estate advice wasn't to sell… but to wait?

In this episode of Turning Over the Big Board, Bob Knakal is joined by Ryan Candel to discuss the sale of 28-30 West 37th Street, a Midtown South development site that ultimately sold for $18 million.

The remarkable part of this story isn't just the sale. It's the strategy behind it.

Years before the Midtown South rezoning was approved, the property was worth approximately $10 million. Rather than pushing for a quick transaction, we advised the family ownership to wait. After the rezoning passed, we successfully sold the site for approximately 85,000 buildable square feet at an 80% higher value.

This deal is a perfect example of why maximizing value is about more than simply getting a deal done. Sometimes the best brokerage advice is knowing when not to sell.

Special thanks to Ryan Candel, who did an outstanding job building a strong relationship with the ownership and helping bring this transaction to a successful close.

If you enjoy behind-the-scenes stories from New York City's biggest investment sales, subscribe for more deal breakdowns, market insights, and lessons from over 2,300 building sales.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:15 Meet Ryan Candel
00:35 Property Overview
01:00 Why We Told the Owner to Wait
01:30 How Rezoning Increased Value by 80%
02:00 Lessons for Property Owners

Connect with Bob Knakal
📍 BKREA Advisors
🌐 https://www.bkrea.com
📧 BK@BKREA.com

#BobKnakal #NYCRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #DevelopmentSite #InvestmentSales #MidtownSouth #LandDevelopment #CapitalMarkets #RealEstateInvesting #BKREA

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Sometimes the best branding ideas are the simplest ones.

My baseball card started as a fun idea, but it became something much bigger. It gave people a reason to remember me, start conversations, and build stronger relationships.

Never underestimate the power of doing something memorable.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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Specialization has been the greatest competitive advantage of my entire career.

Early on, I couldn't compete with brokers who had decades more experience than I did. So instead of trying to know everything, I focused on knowing one market better than anyone else. I learned every building, every owner, every transaction, and every nuance of that neighborhood.

That expertise gave clients confidence.

In this conversation with Drew Breneman, we discuss why specialization has been the foundation of my success and why it's even more important today than when I started.

While information is now available to everyone, true expertise is not.

Whether you specialize in multifamily, office, retail, development sites, or another asset class, developing deep knowledge allows you to see opportunities, recognize risks, and create value in ways that generalists often can't.

Clients aren't looking for someone who simply knows how to close a deal. They're looking for an advisor who understands their asset, their market, and the factors that drive value.

If you want to build trust, stand out from the competition, and create long-term success, specialization remains one of the most powerful advantages you can develop.

What area of real estate have you chosen to master? Let me know in the comments.

#CommercialRealEstate #MarketExpertise #RealEstateSuccess #RealEstateInvesting #CommercialBrokerage #Investing #Leadership #BusinessGrowth

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There's no single path to success in real estate.

People often ask me whether brokers should become investors. My answer is always the same: it depends on your goals, your risk tolerance, and where you want to focus your time and energy.

I chose to dedicate my career to brokerage, and that decision was right for me. The key is finding the path that aligns with your own objectives and committing to it.

Watch the full video on YouTube.


#CommercialRealEstate #CRE #RealEstateCareer

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What separates elite salespeople from everyone else?

In this episode, Bob Knakal shares one of the most powerful presentation strategies from his 40+ year commercial real estate career.

While competing against the largest brokerage firms for a major Hudson Yards development site, Bob didn't focus on his firm's strengths.

Instead, he identified a hidden conflict of interest that no one else discussed.

That single insight completely changed the owner's perspective and ultimately led to winning the exclusive assignment and selling the property for $238 million.

In this video you'll learn:

• How to identify your competitor's hidden vulnerabilities
• Why the best sales presentations focus on the client's perspective, not your résumé
• The psychology behind winning competitive pitches
• How asking the right question can completely change a negotiation
• Commercial real estate sales lessons that apply to every business

Whether you're a commercial real estate broker, investor, entrepreneur, salesperson, business owner, or anyone looking to improve your ability to win clients, this lesson demonstrates how strategic thinking often beats the biggest platform.

If you enjoy practical commercial real estate insights, negotiation strategies, and stories from more than four decades of record-setting investment sales, subscribe for more Knakal Knuggets.

Thanks to Danny Fontaine for having me on your podcast. You can watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02UfQAXgrjk

#CommercialRealEstate #BobKnakal #SalesStrategy #Negotiation #BusinessDevelopment #CRE #InvestmentSales

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BKREA has officially completed transaction number 2,399.

Join Bob Knakal and Jas Saini in the Knakal Map Room as they turn over the Big Board and discuss the successful sale of a Midtown Manhattan development site for the Durst Organization.

In this video, you'll learn:
• How a 50-foot development site on West 44th Street sold for $20.1 million.
• How approximately 14,000 square feet of transferred air rights enhanced the opportunity.
• How BKREA's SWAT Team uncovered a valuable zoning strategy using a compensating recess.
• Why deep market knowledge and zoning expertise create value for clients.

Transaction Highlights:
• Sale Price: $20.1 Million
• 60,322 Zoning Floor Area (ZFA)
• Potential to increase to 74,270 ZFA through UAP
• Client: The Durst Organization
• BKREA Transaction #2,399

Congratulations to Jas Saini on another outstanding transaction.

Subscribe for more NYC investment sales, development insights, zoning analysis, and behind-the-scenes looks at commercial real estate transactions from Bob Knakal and BKREA.

#BobKnakal #BKREA #CommercialRealEstate #NYCRealEstate #InvestmentSales #Development #AirRights #Zoning #CapitalMarkets

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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