Nev Schulman, the longtime host and producer of MTV’s Catfish: The TV Show, has made a formal career change from television to real estate, joining New York City brokerage Coldwell Banker Warburg as a licensed real estate salesperson.
Schulman, 40, said in a statement that he is "ready to embrace the competitive, luxury real estate market" and credited his years on Catfish with preparing him for client work. "Hosting Catfish taught me how to listen deeply, build trust quickly, and help people navigate some of the most emotional decisions of their lives," he said. "Real estate in New York is no different — you need empathy, patience, and the ability to see through the noise to find the right home."
Schulman rose to prominence as the face of Catfish: The TV Show, which explores online relationships and the verification of identities. He hosted the series alongside former co-host Max Joseph and served as an executive producer, roles that helped establish him in television over more than a decade.
The new position places Schulman in a family connection: his father, Robert Schulman, also works at Coldwell Banker Warburg as a broker. The firm is based in New York City and represents properties across the region’s residential market, including the higher end of the market Schulman said he intends to pursue.
Industry observers said Schulman’s public profile and experience in managing sensitive conversations could translate to client-facing real estate work, though Schulman did not outline any immediate television projects or ongoing commitments. In his statement, he framed the move as a practical application of interpersonal skills he developed on his show.
The announcement comes amid a broader media landscape in which television figures have pursued parallel careers outside entertainment, though Schulman’s pivot is notable for the distance between presenting and licensed real estate practice. He completed the requirements to become a licensed salesperson before affiliating with Coldwell Banker Warburg, according to the brokerage.
Schulman has not said whether he will continue any production work tied to Catfish or related media, or how he will split his time between any future entertainment projects and his new role. Coldwell Banker Warburg confirmed his affiliation with the firm but provided no further details about his roster or listings.
Schulman’s public profile was built on the investigative and interpersonal aspects of Catfish, a format that asked hosts to verify identities and mediate emotionally fraught encounters for television audiences. In his statement announcing the career change, he linked those experiences directly to the responsibilities he anticipates undertaking as a real estate professional in New York.
Representatives for Schulman and Coldwell Banker Warburg did not immediately provide additional comment beyond the announcement.