Nēv Schulman has been holding the MTV series “Catfish: The TV Show” since 2012, honing his internet stalking skills, while the 40-year-old star has been learning to use it in his new career as a licensed real estate agent in New York City.
Shulman tells CNBC that the No. 1 skills he’s learned from hosting shows are really listening to people when they’re talking.
“Part of that is that you can also help people to ask the right questions and discover what they’re trying to say. When it comes to buying a house, falling in love or choosing a partner in many ways is very similar,” he says.
“There are a lot of boxes to check, and sometimes I have to compromise on, but being able to understand what’s really important, what your core values are, what your partner or home’s core characteristics are, and help someone talk about it and community it with me is a very meaningful bonus that I’ve done that for the past 15 years.”
Schulman began working as a licensed real estate agent this August.
Coldwell Bunker Warburg
Schulman says that by hosting “Catfish: TV Show,” he taught him how to do something like getting a reservation for his client to find the workaround he’s using now.
“I’m used to hitting dead ends, especially when it comes to searching things,” he adds. “Don’t be discouraged and not take a no to the answer, I think it’s a really good skill I’ve made shows over the years.”
Entering a real estate felt very natural for Schulman. He was born in New York City and grew up watching his father, Robert Schulman, work as a broker at Caldwell Bunker Warburg. His grandfather, Lowell Schulman, also worked in the industry, but before his death in 2017 he worked as a builder and developer.
“I grew up in the city and live in so many different areas. Living in New York City is so much about your apartment and your neighborhood. You really want to be where you go, where you’re going, your apartment is this kind of heaven and a place to recharge.
Schulman said his father approached him about joining him at the Coldwell Bunker Warburg, which began to think about the “Catfish” star really and what he could do in his career.
“I thought this was the perfect time to try. I’m here,” he says.
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