Today we’d like to introduce you to Karly Johnston.
Karly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have known for 20 years that I was going to be a realtor. In high school my friends made sure to point out the “Texas hair” and oversized jewelry that I would have to add to my wardrobe if I wanted to thrive in that industry. So, breaking the stereotypical mold of a Real Estate agent was always in the back of my mind.
I received my license in 2010 and sold my first house to myself that same year. I pretty gave my husband no options in this process and when he was away on a trip he came home to his first home, pending! I can’t tell you how many times over the years my husband has said. “you were right and I’m so happy we bought this house” … sweetest words ever!! One of my best friends (Ashley Sartain) took me under her wing and taught me everything she knew about the biz and within a few years she came to me with a brain child idea… “let’s start a real estate blog, called Selling The Fort”
Break the stereotype mold of a cheesy realtor, tell a story, a funny story, feature new business… and have fun marketing and not be so serious! After 4 years of Selling homes and The Fort, we had opportunity to sell our little baby/blog to our broker and now Burt Ladner has exploded on the Social media platform in The Fort! I’m still selling homes and I have my own little website karlyjohnston.com I still live in Ryan Place and I have had a career that I can’t complain of. I have met and sold homes to some of the most amazing people and STF was the perfect tool to help me meet people and promote business!
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s a competitive business. I always try to be happy for people and their successes and Pay forward the help that was once given to me. But reciprocation of that feeling does not always happen. But come on “no crying in baseball” however lots of crying in real estate, almost every agent I have ever talked to has locked themselves in the bathroom and sobbed at least once. Homes sells are very emotional and no matter how hard you try to get your client what makes them happy, still so many decisions are out of your hands.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Realtor story. Tell us more about the business.
I work for Burt Ladner Real Estate. A very popular and local company that has some of the top producing agent in Fort Worth, so let’s just say I’m intimidated but they are a loving a special group. I would say my specialty is creative marketing, I’m always trying to think outside the box, be different and break that mold some people might think of with a typical realtor. I would say what sets me apart is creativity, when I get an idea I’m obsessed with perfecting it!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I literally just asked myself that same question, like 5 seconds ago. I have ideas but they are a little too embarrassing to put in writing sooo I’ll see you in five years when I have the balls to actually do it!
Contact Info:
- Address: 6115 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth TX 76116 - Website: Karlyjohnston.com
- Phone: 817-312-2100
- Email: karly@burtladner.com
Image Credit:
Photo on the swing and in black top by Birtha Torez
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