Daniel Shragaei, GFI Realty Services, Inc.

What was the best thing that happened to you or your firm in 2014? 2014 was a great year for GFI Realty, Inc., and I think it's fair to say that we will continue to grow and capitalize on opportunities that the market presents. In the past year, we've set new records and have truly cemented our brand as a leading player in multifamily properties. What was your most notable project, deal, transaction or personal achievement in 2014? One transaction that I'm particularly proud of was an off-market sale of a 260-unit, four-building multi-family portfolio in the Bay Ridge and Midwood sections of Brooklyn, which was sold for $60.3 million. We leveraged our relationships to quickly identify the most qualified buyer, and completed the deal within two weeks. I was very pleased that we were able to exceed the seller's expectations and achieve new record pricing for the area of $232,000 per unit, or more than 15 times the rent roll for the properties. What are you looking forward to accomplishing in 2015? In 2015, I plan on continuing to focus on my current clients and multi-family packages. I also remain very active in gentrifying neighborhoods where I see great opportunity, and I am always expanding to other neighborhoods that are on the rise. What are some of your real estate predictions for 2015? While deal activity will remain high, I believe that prices that we have seen aggressively rising over the past year will start to level off. Daniel Shragaei, GFI Realty Services, Inc.