Why Investment Experience Matters in Brokerage: Faraz Cheema’s CRE Playbook

In this episode of Weiss Advice, host Yonah Weiss sits down with Faraz Cheema, SIOR, CCIM, a Manhattan office specialist at BKREA, to unpack what it really means to understand commercial real estate from the inside out.

Faraz shares his journey from growing up around a family office to working as a financial analyst and asset manager, and how that foundation shapes the way he approaches brokerage today. With deep experience across hospitality, retail, multifamily, and now office, Faraz explains why investors value advisors who truly understand the numbers, operations, and long-term strategy behind every deal.

The conversation dives into the realities of the Manhattan office market, how capital thinks in today’s environment, and why credibility is built through experience, not just transactions.

 Episode Highlights

• 01:00 – Welcome to Weiss Advice and Faraz’s return to the conversation after a social media hiatus
• 02:15 – Faraz’s background in commercial real estate and growing up in a family office environment
• 04:30 – Limited-service hospitality explained and early exposure to real asset operations
• 07:45 – Transitioning from analyst and asset manager to brokerage
• 12:30 – How investment experience changes the way brokers add value
• 18:10 – Insights into the Manhattan office market and current investor mindset
• 24:00 – Why designations like SIOR and CCIM matter in complex transactions
• 28:40 – Lessons learned from managing, owning, and now advising on real estate

This episode is a must-listen for investors, operators, and brokers who want a clearer picture of how experience across ownership, analysis, and brokerage creates better outcomes in commercial real estate.

Connect with Faraz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/farazcheemacre/
https://x.com/FarazUCheemaCRE
https://www.instagram.com/faraz.cheema.cre/