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ince 2012, Nev Schulman has hosted MTV’s *Catfish: The TV Show*. The 40‑year‑old, who spent years honing online sleuthing, has now turned those talents into a career as a licensed real‑estate agent in New York City. In a CNBC Make It interview he said the most valuable lesson from the show is listening—really hearing what people say and asking the right questions to help them uncover what they truly want. He compares buying a home to falling in love: you must identify core values, accept compromises, and find a place that feels like home.
Schulman began his real‑estate career in August with Coldwell Banker Warburg. He credits the show for teaching him persistence and creative problem‑solving, skills that now help him secure appointments and navigate obstacles. “I’m used to hearing no and finding ways around it,” he notes.
Real estate felt natural to him. Born and raised in New York, he watched his father, Robert Schulman, broker at Coldwell Banker Warburg, and his grandfather, Lowell Schulman, a builder and developer, shape the city. Growing up in diverse neighborhoods, he learned that an apartment is more than a dwelling—it’s a sanctuary. His father’s invitation to join the firm prompted him to consider a future beyond television.
Schulman’s transition illustrates how on‑screen experience can translate into real‑world expertise. He now helps clients discover what matters most in a home, using the same empathetic listening that made *Catfish* a hit.
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