This week, we spotlight Warren Holstein and Joshua Carter, recent recruits to our Park Slope office who bring a unique twist to the world of real estate. Former stand-up comedians, Warren and Josh share how their backgrounds in performance sharpen their skills with clients, why they made the move to BHS, insights on the current Brooklyn market, a preview of their upcoming MoRE Network podcast, and more.
You recently joined BHS’s Park Slope Office after being at previous brokerages…why did you decide BHS was best for your business?
Warren: Previous brokerages either felt too corporate, broey or had terrible resources or support. BHS feels intimate, personal, client-centric and offers a great brand and support. Wocka-wocka!
Josh: I wanted to be a part of a great community with the best support I could get in the industry. BHS had the most to offer in both marketing and support and felt a strong connection with all of the people I met throughout the recruiting process. I hope that I can help a ton more people find their dream home while giving back to the communities I work in.
How do you see the Brooklyn market in general performing right now based on your recent client experiences?
Warren: I think there’s lots of opportunity, you just need to know where to look and who to cultivate. Brooklyn offers uniqueness in both neighborhoods and homes that is impervious to markets if you know how to navigate. Ha-cha-cha-cha!
Josh: It’s the summer which makes it red hot rental season, our team has a rental in Cobble Hill with already two sight unseen applications and a weekend full of appointments within hours of going online. Our team also recently helped a buyer shop townhomes in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. Prices in these areas on top of much lower property taxes sure makes Northwest Brooklyn a much more bang for your buck spot than most of Manhattan right now and it may be the change of pace some clients didn’t realize they’ve been looking for.
What skills/traits/life lessons do you take from your years of comedy and stand-up that prepare you for a successful career in real estate?
Warren: Be vulnerable, real and truthful; it’s disarming and endears people to you. Cutting through the sales talk and bluntly stating things how we all actually think is refreshing. Nyuck! Nyuck! Nyuck!
Josh: Hosting a stand-up comedy show specifically is very much like the process with buyers and sellers, you’re there to make sure everyone is comfortable and having a good time on the journey of the show/showing.
Best place in New York City to watch stand-up comedy and why?
Warren: The Comedy Cellar, because it showcases the best comics in the city and country and major stars can and will pop in any night of the week. I might or might not get a referral fee for this. Zoinks!
Josh: You can’t really beat the Comedy Cellar, if you’re a comedy fan in NYC not ever checking out the cellar is like going to Peru and skipping out on Machu Pichu. Also, there are a lot of other great places to go like Comedy in Harlem, The Stand (Gramercy) and Gotham Comedy Club (Chelsea).
Share with us your best real estate joke or funniest real estate story?
Warren: I had a client who was constantly looking for a bargain and always brought his little daughter to every showing who would run around barefoot. He insisted on going to a place that very clearly had police tape up on the video the listing agent posted. Luckily, I talked him into keeping her home that day because when we got there the door had evidently been forced open, it was pretty clear a murder has taken place and there were roach traps around the entire perimeter of the place which was strewn with dirty clothing and old food. He still seriously considered offering on it though. Hahaha! Tears.
Josh: Being a real estate agent is great! My hobbies include negotiating, waiting for signatures, and pretending I remember what a day off feels like. We’re in a super competitive market in New York City right now where my phone battery often lasts longer than most listings. In my 12 years as an agent I’ve mastered many skills, for example, the art of eating lunch in 5 minute increments in between appointments. The best part is that I don’t need an alarm clock because the 7am calls and texts from other agents and clients do the trick! Every time I see “charming pre-war details” in a listing description, I know I’m about to introduce my clients to a piece of real New York history—and probably a radiator with serious anger issues. At the end of the day, it’s the people and the stories behind every door that make all the hustle worthwhile—especially when you get to hand over the keys to a home with an amount of private outdoor space so rare, most New Yorkers have to see it to believe it.
We hear you have a podcast in production to be launched soon on the MoRE Network, can you tell us a little about it?
Warren: I’ll consider it for a 3% commission.
Josh: It’s a project we’re very excited about where we can be informative about real estate and the nyc market while adding a little bit of levity to keep our listeners hooked.
Share something few know about you.
Warren: When I was 3, I had left-over popcorn kernel collection I would keep on the side of the bed in an old Jiffy Pop tin and when the lights went out I would secretly shove them up my nose. One night, one got stuck and I screamed and cried till my father yelled for me to blow into a tissue and it flew out of my nostril, through the tissue, across the room and chipped the TV screen. Awooga!
Josh: I met my wife at a comedy show I was hosting, after she heckled me from the crowd.
Share a photo that means a lot to each of you and share why.
Warren (Left Photo): I've successfully passed on my love of Doctor Who to the next generation. Bowties are cool!
Josh (Right photo): This photo mixes two of my favorite aspects of life, spending time with my wife, and Brooklyn; in this photo, we’re at one of my favorite areas of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade with some of the best views of Manhattan you’ll ever see.
Share one of your goals in 2025 that you aim to accomplish.
Warren: To cultivate multiple townhouse listings in my local neighborhood and answer interview questions in a more straightforward manner. Honka-honka! Hoo-boy! Zowie!
Josh: Hoping to exceed the expectations of at least 12 different buyers and sellers.
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