Todd Szymczak
Executive Vice President
NAI Farbman
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Todd Szymczak has built a career defined by integrity, innovation and results. And his commitment to those ideals have made him a Commercial Real Estate Hall of Famer.
As an Executive Vice President and member of Farbman Group’s leadership team, Szymczak has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth across the Midwest real estate landscape. This veteran CRE pro blends financial acumen with a deep understanding of investment dynamics, enabling transformative deals that strengthen communities and create long-term value.
Over the course of his CRE career, Szymczak has developed a reputation for accurate valuations for sellers looking for direction on their real estate holdings. His extensive sales experience includes both distressed and stabilized properties across nearly every real estate asset class.
When asked what he likes most about working in commercial real estate, Szymczak said that he most enjoys solving problems to move deals to closure.
“It is very satisfying to overcome roadblocks,” he said. “Additionally, CRE touches so many industries and locations. To properly value and sell a property, you get to learn study so many businesses and locations, you are always learning.”
Like all veteran CRE professionals, Szymczak has faced challenges during his career. As he says, unique properties with a very small buyer pool are difficult to sell.
“Selling a cash-flowing apartment property in a sought-after area is fun because you have so many buyers to choose from and the choice is which buyer will be the most likely to close at a price acceptable to the seller,” Szymczak said.
“Highly unique deals, like selling the former Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit, are so much more challenging. You must remain open-minded about who the right buyer is, because often it is a buyer who is either not in the market or has never owned that kind of property. It reminds you to treat everyone you talk to with respect, because you never know who the best buyer might be.”
What is behind Szymczak’s success? He points to working with a strong company in Farbman, a company in which he is surrounded by talented, hard-working peers.
Another factor is Szymczak’s integrity and willingness to work hard for his clients.
“I believe honesty has helped me survive and thrive this long,” he said. “I would rather tell owners what I truly believe their property is worth rather than tell them what I think they want to hear. Once owners know how their properties will truly be perceived by the market, they can make intelligent decisions in their best interest. While it isn’t always what they want to hear, I believe that people deserve and appreciate the truth.”
Prior to entering the world of CRE, Szymczak had built a career in the automotive industry as a mechanical engineer and program manager.
Outside of work, Szymczak is on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Athletic Club, a club that offers plenty of fitness activities and the opportunity to meet interesting people. As a club member, he enjoys participating in squash, shooting sports, Beavers!!!, and much more.
Last year, Szymczak marched in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade with others from the athletic club, reviving the Briefcase Drill Team.
“That was hard work, but a really fun experience,” he said.
