Bob Knakal is a legendary figure in New York commercial real estate, known for his data-driven territory model, massive deal volume, and unapologetically old-school work ethic. As the founder of Massey Knakal Realty Services (sold for $100M) and now Chairman at BKREA, Bob has shaped both the skyline of NYC and the next generation of real estate professionals.
In this episode, Bob shares how 40 years of fieldwork, 22 boxes of newsletters, and a pandemic walking tour of Manhattan became the foundation of his modern marketing machine. He talks about launching The Bob Knakal Show, staying true to core values while adapting to AI, and how being “out there” isn’t about ego—it’s about client outcomes.
You’ll hear Bob’s brutally honest take on what it takes to succeed in sales, why cold calling still matters, the power of content in real estate, and how office-to-residential conversions are reshaping the NYC market. This conversation is packed with timeless lessons on resilience, relevance, and why liking what you do still beats any business plan.
Main Topics:
Chapters With Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Introduction and Early Career Insights
[00:00:43] Bob Knakal's Life-Changing Advice
[00:01:41] Writing the Book: Selling Buildings
[00:05:17] Reading, Learning, and Staying Sharp
[00:08:44] Is College Still Worth It?
[00:15:22] Market Presence and Content Creation
[00:19:46] Adapting to Change: Tech and Tactics
[00:25:30] The Relentless Work Ethic
[00:26:58] Finding Passion in Work
[00:27:36] Resilience Through Adversity
[00:30:43] Commercial Real Estate Market Changes
[00:34:26] Office to Residential Conversions
[00:39:35] Commitment to New York City
[00:42:46] The Map Room Success
[00:46:58] Launching The Bob Knakal Show
[00:50:24] Inspiring the Next Gen
[00:54:04] Wrap Up & Final Words
Bob Knakal
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