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

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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/
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