ABOUT BOB MARKEL
Professional relationships begin with trust.
I'm Bob Markel, Founder and Owning Broker of Robert Markel Real Estate LLC. My work is grounded in four qualities: experience, excellence, integrity, and authenticity.
Robert Markel
Founder & Owning Broker
Licensed Real Estate Broker
A lifelong connection to the Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes have been part of my life since childhood. My family spent countless hours camping and fishing on the lakes. Our family currently owns a lake home on Cayuga Lake, where we live during the summer months and gather for all our holiday celebrations. Today, summers on Cayuga Lake mean boating, fishing, and tubing with my wife and our three children. We’re pretty sure our kids set a tubing-hours record in 2020—and we have the boat gas receipts to prove it!
My own wedding reception took place on the shoreline of Canandaigua Lake. Over the years, we’ve continued to enjoy the region’s wineries, restaurants, and communities. Those experiences shape how I think about lake homes: places for family gatherings, traditions, and everyday enjoyment, where the shoreline and setting matter as much as the house itself.
An artistic rendering of Bob’s family enjoying life at the lake.
Real estate experience, with a broader perspective
My real estate career began in 2010 at Patchen Real Estate, where I learned from Lee Patchen, widely recognized as one of the leading real estate brokers in the Finger Lakes region. I later worked with Mel Russo at Senecayuga Properties, one of the region's leading lakefront brokerages, which sold hundreds of lake homes throughout the Finger Lakes. Learning from these two established local brokers helped shape my approach to waterfront real estate. In spring 2021, I opened Robert Markel Real Estate LLC.
After graduating from the University at Albany with an accounting degree, I spent five years at PricewaterhouseCoopers. My career in healthcare finance and administration has included Chief Financial Officer and budgeting leadership responsibilities, along with helping grow and sell a family business. That background brings practical experience in negotiation, project management, data analysis, financial planning, and communication to my real estate work.
I bring that broader perspective to lake-home decisions, combining financial analysis with local knowledge and a personal understanding of waterfront living.
Our Family’s Commitment to Giving Back
Being involved in my community has always been an important part of my life. I’ve coached youth sports for 10 years and served on boards and committees through Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, my church, family foundations, and community planning boards. My family’s commitment to service also extends to Malawi, Africa, through a project focused on irrigation and farming—and, most recently, a soccer program developed by my son, Rowan.
These experiences have strengthened my connection to the people and places I serve. They reflect the same values I bring to my real estate work: showing up, building relationships, and following through.
How I work with you
Experience
My business background and local knowledge help me bring a practical perspective to your decisions.
• 15+ years in residential real estate
• Accounting degree, University at Albany
• PricewaterhouseCoopers experience
• CFO and budgeting leadership
• Experience growing and selling a family business
Excellence
Excellence comes from specific actions, every day.
• Passion for the services I offer
• Openness to change and new ideas
• Continued education and learning
• Commitment and hard work
• Creativity and innovation
• Partnerships with capable people
Integrity
Trust starts with honesty and strong principles.
• Follow through on commitments
• Give honest advice
• Put clients’ needs first
• Protect confidentiality and privacy
• Value professional and personal reputation
• Respect the importance of relationships
Authenticity
Authenticity means aligning values with actions.
• Recognize strengths and weaknesses
• Look for the good in people
• Value people over material things
• Remain humble
• Focus on what is within my control
What others say about Bob's character
“I've been fortunate to have coached basketball for the last 30 years. In that time, I have not come across a better person than Bob Markel. He's a tremendous young man with an unbelievable work ethic and is extremely trustworthy. If I ever have a need for real estate in the Finger Lakes Region, Bob will be my first and last call.”
James Jones — Head Coach, Yale Men’s Basketball
I had the privilege of playing for Coach Jones during my time at the University at Albany.
“Bob Markel worked for me in the final years of my 40 year real estate career. Bob is intelligent, enthusiastic, and detail oriented. Above all, he is an honest person committed to doing things the right way. I really can't say enough about his personal character. Bob Markel is without question the first person I would recommend to those looking to buy or sell real estate in the Finger Lakes.”
Kenneth “Lee” Patchen — Retired Owner, Patchen Real Estate
Lee was a household name in Finger Lakes real estate for 40 years. I’m thankful for all he taught me.
“Bob served as the financial officer of my medical practice for 10 years. During this time he played an essential role in managing, growing, and eventually selling the business. I believe these work experiences provide him with a unique ability to successfully manage both personnel and properties.
I found Bob to be an honest and hard working person. He will put in the time and effort to make sure that your project goes smoothly and results in the maximum benefit to you.
Overall, working with Bob was very rewarding. His easy going personality makes negotiations enjoyable. Couple this with his "can do" attitude and any transaction is conducted effortlessly and completed in a timely manner.
Bob enjoys being with family and helping his community. His knowledge of local persons an activities helps him to make the right connections when needed most.”
Tim Ryan, MD — Past Owner, Lifecare Medical Associates
Working with Dr. Ryan reinforced a lesson I carry into real estate: put the people you serve first.
What clients have said about working with Bob
Real experiences from people Bob has helped with their real estate needs.
“Working with Bob while selling our previous lake home and buying a new lake home was a pleasure. These transactions can be very stressful, but Bob provided us with thorough assessments of our previous and future home options in a professional manner which made us feel confident we were making the right move for our family.”
Lisa & Dave · Lake Home Buyers & Sellers
“Bob was a pleasure to work with when we sold my mom's Cayuga Lake Home. His professional and friendly manner left us feeling confident with him as a broker. We would definitely call on him again should the need arise in the future.”
Scott & Peggy · Cayuga Lake Home Sellers
“House purchasing can be a trying experience. Bob's professionalism helped make the buying process smooth and uneventful.”
Margaret · Lake Homeowner
Let's talk about what comes next
Whether you're buying, owning, enjoying, planning for, or selling a lake home, start with a conversation.
Ask Bob a Question →How I can help
Lake homes are my specialty. I also provide farm sales, winery sales, business brokerage, and off-lake residential real estate services throughout the Finger Lakes region.
Explore My Services