Yaakov Kanevsky is a multifamily real estate advisor — with deep roots in the Baltimore–Washington market.
He’s also the host of the “Baltimore RE Full Circle” podcast, where he brings together local investors, vendors, and industry experts to share real, practical insights about navigating Baltimore’s real estate scene.
His mission is to help others make smarter decisions and build stronger communities through honest conversations and firsthand experience.
Journey to Baltimore Real Estate
My professional path began with a year spent teaching before getting married. Shortly after, I received an opportunity to move to Baltimore and start a new chapter in property management. This marked my first real exposure to the real estate industry, where I managed day-to-day operations, tenant relations, and maintenance coordination.
Transition to Management and Sales
After a few months of managing a 350-unit property, the company I worked for decided to sell off their Maryland holdings. This unexpected shift put me at a career crossroads. With the encouragement of my employer and support from friends and colleagues, I made a decisive pivot into real estate sales—an industry I had come to admire through firsthand experience.
Starting with Row Homes and Growing
I began by selling Baltimore row homes to local investors, targeting rental and renovation opportunities. These early deals laid the foundation for my reputation and client base. As I gained momentum, the volume and complexity of transactions steadily increased, allowing me to build a deeper understanding of the city’s housing market and investment dynamics.
Scaling into Multifamily and Large Portfolios
Over the past two years, I transitioned from small-scale residential deals to handling large multifamily properties and row home portfolios. This strategic shift has led to the successful sale of nearly 330 properties. Today, my team and I are working on several significant listings, including an active 330-unit property and additional large-scale investment opportunities on the horizon.
Can you tell us about your company and the services it provides?
Midfield Realty is a Maryland-based brokerage focused exclusively on multifamily real estate. We specialize in sourcing, listing, and advising on apartment buildings throughout Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and surrounding jurisdictions. Our team works closely with owners, operators, and investors to support sales, 1031 exchanges, and market repositioning strategies.
What sets your company apart in the industry?
We know Maryland — not just zip codes, but block by block. Our strength lies in pairing local insight with direct outreach. We track submarket shifts in real time, and because we speak with property owners and investors daily, we often uncover deals before they ever hit the market. We’re not just listing agents — we’re strategic advisors focused on creating clarity and results for clients navigating a fast-changing market.
What are your growth plans for the future?
Our focus is on deepening our footprint across Baltimore’s multifamily corridors. We’re expanding our database of active buyers, refining our underwriting process to reflect current debt conditions, and growing our outreach in areas where we’re seeing seller fatigue or distress. As the market shifts, we aim to be the first call for owners who want straight answers and smart strategy.
How has your company adapted to changes in the market over the last few years?
We’ve adapted by staying closer to our clients and sharper with our data. As financing tightened and rent control measures gained traction, we’ve worked to keep owners informed and focused on where their real opportunities lie. We’ve also refined our processes — from valuations to buyer targeting — to move more efficiently when a serious deal comes together.
What trends are you seeing in client or tenant behavior right now?
Owners are much more cautious — especially in Baltimore City. Many are seeking clarity on policy shifts before listing, while others are offloading underperforming properties. Tenants continue to prioritize affordability and unit quality, making well-maintained, reasonably priced buildings more competitive than ever.
What is your outlook on the current market trends?
Maryland’s multifamily market — especially in Baltimore — is in an early downturn. Properties are sitting longer, buyers are underwriting more conservatively, and some owners are listing out of necessity. At the same time, rents have held up in many neighborhoods, and tenant demand remains steady. We believe the current cycle favors brokers and clients who stay active, realistic, and prepared.
What advice do you have for clients or professionals in your field?
For owners: Don’t wait too long. If you’re considering a sale, make sure your property is priced and positioned competitively. For brokers: Focus less on volume, and more on relationships. Knowing what your client needs — and what the market will bear — is what moves deals in this environment.
What are the biggest challenges you’re currently facing — and how are you addressing them?
The biggest challenge is the gap between seller expectations and buyer underwriting, especially with today’s interest rates and stricter lender requirements. We’re addressing this by giving owners honest feedback, backed by real-time comps and investor sentiment. We don’t push listings just to get them — we position them to close.
ABOUT MIDFIELD REAL ESTATE
10 Years of Success – 3 Years of Brokerage Excellence
With over a decade of experience as property owners, we understand the intricacies of the market and the challenges faced by sellers. This deep understanding fueled our decision to establish a brokerage specifically focused on helping multifamily property owners in Maryland.
“Midfield Real Estate is your trusted partner in multifamily investment sales, specializing in everything from small and middle market properties to larger transactions. We bring deep expertise and hands-on experience to every deal.”
Experience Matters
Midfield Real Estate is a commercial real estate brokerage firm focused on multifamily investment properties in the Baltimore–Washington Metro.
