-- Bob Knakal, Chairman and CEO of BKREA, has unveiled The Ultimate Guide to Selling Walk-Up Apartment Buildings in NYC, a timely and in-depth resource for property owners looking to maximize value in one of the city’s most resilient real estate sectors. Despite declining transaction volume in the broader multifamily market, walk-up buildings—typically smaller, elevator-free residential assets—have proven remarkably durable and continue to attract high demand from both institutional and private investors.
Get the guide https://www.bkrea.com/walk-up-buildings-sales
The guide offers a complete playbook for owners navigating the complexities of timing, buyer targeting, rent stabilization, and market positioning. According to Knakal, who has brokered the sale of over 2,000 buildings in his career, the walk-up sector remains a cornerstone of the NYC investment landscape.
“Walk-up apartment buildings are one of the most reliable asset classes in New York,” said Knakal. “They’re simple to operate, located in core neighborhoods, and offer strong cash flow with relatively low capex. Investors understand this, which is why values have stayed strong even as overall market activity has slowed.”
Data from the guide illustrates the counter-cyclical strength of walk-ups. In 2017, as sales of land and hotels saw sharp double-digit declines, walk-up buildings recorded a 10 percent increase in average sale price per square foot. This rise reflected continued investor confidence in assets with stable rent rolls, long-term tenants, and manageable operating costs.
The guide identifies 1031 exchange buyers as one of the most important buyer pools for walk-ups. With compressed timelines and a strong appetite for income-producing assets, these buyers often pay a premium and close quickly—especially when buildings are well-positioned with clean financials and transparent rent regulation details.
“Sellers often underestimate the power of narrative,” Knakal added. “When you stack proof—rent history, capital improvements, tenant longevity—you’re not just selling a building, you’re selling confidence. That’s what drives competitive bidding and premium pricing.”
Other highlights of the guide include how to effectively market walk-up properties as either turnkey or value-add investments, how to interpret rent stabilization in a way that appeals to risk-sensitive buyers, and why current market dynamics—like the stabilization of interest rates and a reduction in new listings—may signal an opportune time to sell.
BKREA’s team has decades of experience advising sellers on how to position walk-up buildings for maximum value, from single-building deals in the East Village to large portfolios in Brooklyn and the Bronx. The guide emphasizes that each asset requires a tailored strategy, grounded in market data and designed to resonate with the right buyer pool.
For owners considering a sale, now may be the ideal moment to act while competition is low, buyer demand is steady, and pricing remains near historic highs.
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