Thanks to a horrible home buying experience, Mary "One" Johnson, a St. Louis native, has made it her personal crusade to rebuild the city of St. Louis

Thanks to a horrible home buying experience, Mary "One" Johnson, a St. Louis native, has made it her personal crusade to rebuild the city of St. Louis. "I had to make sure others didn't have the same experience I did and made it my goal to help others become educated about real estate," Johnson said. "I remember what St. Louis was and imagine where it will be," Johnson said. Mary "One" Johnson Home Team Realty LLC, which opened its doors in December 2001, employs 36 full-time agents. Johnson s...

Thanks to a horrible home buying experience, Mary "One" Johnson, a St. Louis native, has made it her personal crusade to rebuild the city of St. Louis. "I had to make sure others didn't have the same experience I did and made it my goal to help others become educated about real estate," Johnson said. "I remember what St. Louis was and imagine where it will be," Johnson said. Mary "One" Johnson Home Team Realty LLC, which opened its doors in December 2001, employs 36 full-time agents. Johnson specialize in selling new construction and existing homes in the St. Louis metropolitan area, especially in areas that are under redevelopment. The company sold 177 homes in 2001 and 238 homes in 2002, approximately 75 percent of which were new construction. Johnson, 46, serves as broker for communities such as McPherson Court Townhomes, which offers 10 homes starting at $179,900; Westminister Place Townhomes, which offers 28 townhomes starting at $125,500; Maple Acres, which has 100 homes starting at $145,950; West End Estates, which has 100 homes starting at $179,300; Villas on the Hill Townhomes, which includes four townhomes starting at $191,500; Old French Town Row Townhomes with four townhomes starting at $239,000; and St. Louis Place Estates, offering 31 homes starting at $151,500. In 2002, the company was recognized as one of the top 25 African-American businesses in the St. Louis area by the Regional Chamber and Growth Association, the St. Louis American, and the Urban League. That same year, the firm received an Outstanding Accomplishment award from the St. Louis Association of Real Estate Professionals. Johnson said she sells communities, not homes. "When you know your community, you become part of a family who embraces you," "The entire city, including the mayor, comptroller, aldermen and alderwomen have supported my mission of bringing St. Louis city back to a thriving community," Johnson said