By Holly Dutton
Citi Habitats agent Nathaniel Faust is a lifelong New Yorker with a passion for the city – and though he just moved to Long Island City from his native Manhattan, he’s all about NYC.
After attending City College in Harlem, where he studied education, Faust went right into real estate after graduating in 1998. “I was just always interested in property and New York City in particular and I like working with people,” Faust told Broker’s Weekly. “So it was something that appealed to me.”
Faust cut his teeth as a 21-year-old fresh out of college at Manhattan Apartments, where he did mostly rentals.
“Those were the days of advertising in the Village Voice and the New York Times in print, before people posted pictures on websites,” said Faust. “It was a different type of business back then.”
By the early 2000’s, Faust transitioned into sales. “I enjoy what I do, and I take a lot of satisfaction from helping people, whether it’s an apartment I sell for someone or finding someone an apartment they’ll live in,” he said. “The entire process is very enjoyable for me, especially when it works out favorably.”
Faust works all over Manhattan, and more recently in Long Island City. Though he considers himself a “Manhattan broker,” Faust has done a few deals “here and there” in Brooklyn, including selling a few townhouses.
A seasoned professional, Faust earned recognition as salesperson of the year for Citi Habitat’s relocation office in 2012, in sales and overall production. In the same year, he was also a Platinum Award Winner.
He does a lot of work in the Flatiron, Gramercy Park and Union Square area, where his office is. “I find that a lot of the business I do is south of 30th Street,” said Faust. “A lot of younger people are attracted to Lower Manhattan.”
Since 2002, Faust has worked in the relocation office of Citi Habitats, which partnered with large corporate clients like Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Chase and Goldman Sachs to help employees new to the city find housing.
“A lot of international clients come here to stay for a couple of years,” said Faust. “That’s been a good source of business for me over the years, and a lot end up staying here.” Faust has found repeat business with clients he helped relocate, when they decide to stay and purchase an apartment.
When it comes to a business philosophy, Faust keeps it simple. “It’s really just hard work,” he said. “I’m always looking out for the best interest of my client.”
In the 15 years he’s been in the business, Faust has seen neighborhoods rise while other areas stayed the same. “There are areas like Long Island City and the Brooklyn waterfront that didn’t even exist even seven years ago,” he said.
“The West Village and anything near Central Park has always been very desirable. Central Park West, Central Park South, Fifth Avenue and Greenwich Village. Those areas have always been hot and still are.”
However, the biggest change he’s seen over the years has been the accessibility of information.
“A lot of customers come to me already very educated because they’ve spent time searching online,” he said. “Our job now is less about providing information than providing service.”
In his spare time, Faust enjoys spending time with his three children in his new neighborhood of Long Island City, where he moved with his family in August.
He looks to continue his success in real estate in the future.
“I really get a lot of satisfaction from helping people get apartments and helping people sell apartments,” he said.
