Top: The cover of “Brokers Who Dominate”; bottom, from left: Faith Hope Consolo, Stephen Siegel and Bob KnakalCommercial real estate brokers Faith Hope Consolo, Robert Knakal and Stephen Siegel are well-known personalities in New York City real estate. But thanks to bookstore shelves, Kindles and Amazon.com, they’ll soon be introduced to a much larger audience.
The three Manhattan brokers are featured in a new book, released in September by Domus Publishing, called “Brokers Who Dominate: 8 Traits of Top Producers.” For just $24.99, readers can now learn the secrets and stories of real estate professionals from across North America.
The book’s author is Rod Santomassimo, the founder and president of Massimo Group, a real estate coaching and consulting firm based in North Carolina. In an interview with The Real Deal, Santomassimo said he came up with the idea for the book after being constantly asked for the secret to success in the real estate world. Rather than try to summarize it himself, he asked 23 top commercial brokers to do it for him.
Santomassimo compiled his list by reaching out to friends and colleagues for recommendations. He said he chose to profile Knakal in part because of the sheer number of properties the Massey Knakal cofounder has sold. In the book, Santomassimo praises Knakal’s “knack for numbers,” and how he “effectively delegates” responsibilities to his team.
Of Consolo, who is chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group, Santomassimo said: “How can you not have Faith? … She is her own marketing conglomerate.”
He writes in the book: “No one has a stronger presence in the marketplace than Faith Consolo. I get a press release from Faith, her partner or her company at least once a week.”
Siegel, CBRE’s chairman of global brokerage, is categorized in the book as a “game changer.” Siegel is an “icon” and “one of the most successful brokers in the world,” Santomassimo writes.
In response to being selected, Knakal said he feels “very honored to be included with a group of such great brokers.”
For her part, Consolo sees the book as an opportunity to help others starting in real estate.
“We all got some help in the beginning,” she said. “We have to do that for the next group coming along.”