What MaryONE Home Team Realty does for you and the community

Real Estate Development Construction

Residential & Commercial

We create quality urban lifestyles while building robust neighborhoods

Who Is?

Mary 'One' Johnson founds two firms with city focus

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. As founder, president, and chief executive officer of two real estate companies -- a full-service real estate firm, The Mary "One" Johnson Home Team Realty LLC, and a development firm, Mary 1 Enterprises Real Estate Development -- Johnson is doing just that. "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," Johnson said. "I encourage all homebuyers to get involved in their community and know their political and security figures." In 1999, Johnson was recognized as the first minority woman to own her own development company in the St. Louis area, according to the St. Louis Minority Business Council. That company, Mary 1 Enterprises Real Estate Development, is building more than 200 homes in St. Louis city, including St. Louis Place Estates, the Gate District, and the Ville Phillips Estate, a 100-home development. Johnson proudly hires contractors from the city of St. Louis. She secures her contractors mainly through her membership in MOKAN St. Louis Construction Contractors Assistance Center and the St. Louis Minority Business Council. She also teams with city officials, aldermen and alderwomen to market the area and bring families back to the city. Although the majority of funds are privately supplied, St. Louis city has supplied public funds to support the development of many of Johnson's projects. "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 .

Who Is?

First-time buyers discover deals in current market

Mary "One" Johnson, broker and owner of Mary One Johnson Home Team Realty in St. Louis, said her business is picking up after dropping almost 40 percent between January and May, compared to the same period last year. Her customers are buying in the city of St. Louis, in part to get closer to their jobs and cut gasoline costs, she said. Johnson said her customers, many of them firefighters and school teachers, have obtained Federal Housing Administration (FHA) financing with 3 percent down. They still have to purchase private mortgage insurance, but in the unsettled financial market, banks are not approving people who are not creditworthy, she said.

Who Is?

Inflated expectations-Bigger is better as consumer demands inflate space requirements in new homes

Houses in the St. Louis area and throughout the United States continue to grow larger as buyers demand more space for family gatherings, laundry facilities, luxurious baths and home offices. "The size of homes, when I started selling in 1992, were one-and-a-half stories or one-story bungalows or little ranches. Now people want more square footage, more living space," said Mary "One" Johnson, owner of Mary One Johnson Home Team Realty LLC and Mary1 Enterprises LLC. Johnson's observations are also accurate on a nationwide basis, according to statistics from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The median home size in the United States has grown from 1,905 square feet in 1990 to 2,123 square feet in the first half of 2003, the latest period for which statistics are available. Also since 1990, the trend is toward more two-story homes with more bedrooms, more bathrooms and larger garages, according to the NAHB. "These days if you don't have a fireplace in a house, it's like not having a roof," Johnson said. Johnson's Mary1 Enterprises has developed St. Louis Place Estates at 21st Street and St. Louis Avenue in the city that offers the same amenities as suburban homes including first-floor laundries, large pantries, formal dining rooms, fireplaces, master suites, four bedrooms and attached two-car garages. While the interior of the homes is modern, the exteriors are designed to blend in with other historic homes in the neighborhood including elaborate brick patterns on the front of each home. The homes are 1,700 to 1,900 square feet, two or three story, and range in price from $162,000 to $228,000. Eight homes are completed and sold; a total of 36 are planned. .

Who Is?Most Influential Business Women 2005: Mary "One" Johnson

Twenty-some years ago, Mary "One" Johnson was feeling homesick, and the beautiful beaches of California would not substitute for what she was yearning for. "I was so homesick for St. Louis," she said. "I used to sit (on the beach) and cry." She remembers growing up in a tightly knit, multicultural community where the neighborhoods were inviting and flourishing with mom and pop stores everywhere. "There was a house on every corner, and there was a family in every house," Johnson said. But upon returning to her homestead, Johnson saw a city that was decaying, her old neighborhood being nothing like what she recalled. Moreover, when Johnson some years later purchased her first home, the experience with her real estate agent was so bad that she promised if she ever got through it, she would devote herself to easing that process for others. While making a living by keeping her promise, Johnson also made it her quest to revitalize the city of St. Louis by revamping deteriorated and run-down neighborhoods into new, welcoming communities. Together with her sister, Roz Tolliver, she runs seven real estate companies expected to generate $15 million to $20 million in revenue this year. Last year they built 160 homes. Johnson, 47, employs 30 full-time agents who specialize in buying, selling and building homes, while Johnson mostly works with developers and investors. Some of the largest projects pending in St. Louis include the construction of 100 homes in St. Louis Place Estates at 2716 N. 21st St., 200 homes in Ville Phillips Estates at 1926 Whittier, and 60 homes in the Gate District, which is bound by Jefferson, Chouteau and Grand avenues and Interstate 44. Johnson said the support from city officials has been tremendous. "It takes a village to rebuild the city."

Who Is?

Kennedy tackles 274 homes

Rams defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy knows as much about knocking down walls as he does about knocking down opponents. Since being selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2003 draft, Kennedy has embarked on a passion off the gridiron -- residential construction. He has rehabbed or built 50 homes in the city and is in the preliminary stages of a five-year plan to build a new-home development called Kennedy Place near the intersection of Delmar and Skinker. The plan calls for 274 homes, with a development cost totaling nearly $100 million. The three- and four-bedroom single-family homes and townhouses will be priced under $200,000. Rodney Crim, executive director of the St. Louis Development Corp., said redevelopment of infill properties aids in the city's overall revitalization efforts. "There are some (areas) where the block is pretty solid but for a couple of properties," Crim said. "We're excited about these kinds of stories." A keen attention to detail is evidenced in Kennedy's work. At a Feb. 27 open house at the home on Raymond, he walked around with a pen and paper, making a last-minute to-do list. "I like things to be perfect," Kennedy said. "I try to do everything as if I'm going to move in myself. I love the feeling that I can walk into an empty house and see something." It's an interest he's had since childhood. "One month my bedroom was blue, and the next, it was red," he said. "When I was told to clean up my room, I'd sit down and make a chart on it and cut out the pieces and move things around." Kennedy's first few stabs at development proved to be a learning experience. "In my first six deals, I ended up losing money," he said. To move forward with his development plans, he has partnered with Heartland Bank to help with the financing. Alderman Terry Kennedy, who is unrelated to Jimmy Kennedy, said the Rams player's investment in the Academy neighborhood, where the home on Raymond is located, is helping spur other development. "How do you measure that? It's a great impact," Terry Kennedy said. "It's a very up-and-coming area. What you have are a lot of larger homes that people have shied away from because of their size. Developers like Kennedy who have taken that risk, it has helped make the whole area come back." Price point Jimmy Kennedy is eyeing the creation of additional affordable housing units in the city, with home prices starting in the $60,000s. He said he wants to build homes that police officers, teachers and others who give back to the community can afford. "There is a lot of high-end development going on in the city, but the question is, 'Can everyone afford it?'" he said. Kennedy's broker is Mary "One" Johnson of Mary "One" Johnson Home Team Realty. "St. Louis has so many neighborhoods where there are blighted areas and so many beautiful brick houses," Johnson said. "Jimmy has come in and seen the value of what's here."

Mary Johnson is a native St. Louisian having lived here for over 40 years. She was raised on Hogan Street just off Cass Avenue. She attended Jackson and Webster Elementary Schools in North St. Louis, Central High School, and Forest Park Community College. Mary is a divorced, African American female, who is a mother of three children and the head of her household. She owns her home in Lafayette Square and has raised her family of three. She views living in St. Louis as a very positive experience. Her motivation to assist in the redevelopment of St. Louis is to give families and others the opportunity to enjoy it as she has.

Mary “One” Johnson has been selected consistently by developers as the most desirable Realtor in the city of St. Louis to sell their new home developments because she has the ability to see and feel the vision of the city’s rebirth and redevelopment. She and her team were responsible for closing on average of 300 homes per year, every year. Her ability to create a vision for buyers where there was none. Enabling her to assist her developers and sellers in promoting, building and initiating new communities in areas no one believed was possible. Alderman and city officials had concerns about the lack of development in certain areas of the city. MaryOne Johnson, President and CEO, was asked to participate in a discussion group to provide insight on how to build a market in the areas of the city which need it the most. She was able to incorporate her knowledge as well as documented proof of developments she successfully marketed and sold in many areas where developers were not eager to take chances.

Accomplishments Part 1

Mary Johnson is a native St. Louisian having lived here for over 40 years. She was raised on Hogan Street just off Cass Avenue. She attended Jackson and Webster Elementary Schools in North St. Louis, Central High School, and Forest Park Community College. Mary is a divorced, African American female, who is a mother of three children and the head of her household. She owns her home in Lafayette Square and has raised her family of three. She views living in St. Louis as a very positive experience. Her motivation to assist in the redevelopment of St. Louis is to give families and others the opportunity to enjoy it as she has.

Mary “One” Johnson has been selected consistently by developers as the most desirable Realtor in the city of St. Louis to sell their new home developments because she has the ability to see and feel the vision of the city’s rebirth and redevelopment. She and her team were responsible for closing on average of 300 homes per year, every year. Her ability to create a vision for buyers where there was none. Enabling her to assist her developers and sellers in promoting, building and initiating new communities in areas no one believed was possible. Alderman and city officials had concerns about the lack of development in certain areas of the city. MaryOne Johnson, President and CEO, was asked to participate in a discussion group to provide insight on how to build a market in the areas of the city which need it the most. She was able to incorporate her knowledge as well as documented proof of developments she successfully marketed and sold in many areas where developers were not eager to take chances.



Member of the following organizations

The St. Louis Association of Realtors

The Missouri Association of Realtors

The National Association of Realtors

The Multiple Listing Service

The Governors Club in 1995, 1996, 1997

The Presidents Club in 1998

The Multi Million Dollar Club


Worked with the following development companies

The Meyer Development Company, Inc

The Greater Ville Historic Development CorporationThe Downtown St. Louis

PartnershipThe M. Jaffe Development

CompanyP.I.D.C.

The Ecumenical Housing Production Corporation

The Washington University / B.J.C. Program

Forest Park South East Housing Corporation

BOCA Development CompanyLegend Homes Development

Company, Inc.

Experience with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Before Mary came to Gundaker Realtors, she held the position of Organizing Director with Acorn Housing Corporation for 3 years. Her responsibilities consisted of negotiating with banks to make credit requirements more flexible, and stop banks redlining. She has also worked with Fannie Mae, CDA, and MHDC in designing programs that would help low to moderate and middle income people purchase homes, and give them some assistance with down payment or closing costs.

She was excited to see that the programs she worked so hard to put in place have helped people purchase homes without needing to pull $5,000 to $10,000 out-of-pocket and are now available to assist people who need them. She keeps herself apprised of programs available through community organizations, banks, and any other sources that vie assistance to people who need it, and she makes them aware of all these programs and connects them with the proper sources.


Mary Johnson’s Rehab Experience in the City of St. Louis-Baden Properties

In July of 1996, American Healthcare Management (AHM) acquired 16 residential homes from Tenant Healthcare Systems that were in need of renovation. These homes surrounded an AHM managed facility name Lutheran Care Center in the city of Baden. David Hancock, Vice-President of AHM was put in charge of the project and given the directive to work with the city to re-subdivide the property, renovate the homes, and sell the properties to residents. In August of 1996, the renovation of the properties began. Mr. Hancock chose Mary “One” Johnson of Gundaker Realtors to list and sell the properties once each unit was completed. The first home was sold in September of 1996 and the final unit was sold in December of 1996. AHM upper management considered the project a huge success with the final revenue figures from the sale of the homes more than $800,000. David Hancock said, “Ms. Johnson proved to be knowledgeable of the city real estate market as well as a dependable business partner to work with on this project”. The lasting effect of this renovation will be enjoyed for many years to come by residents of the Baden area.


Mary Johnson’s Rehab Experience in the City of St. Louis-Baden Properties

In July of 1996, American Healthcare Management (AHM) acquired 16 residential homes from Tenant Healthcare Systems that were in need of renovation. These homes surrounded an AHM managed facility name Lutheran Care Center in the city of Baden. David Hancock, Vice-President of AHM was put in charge of the project and given the directive to work with the city to re-subdivide the property, renovate the homes, and sell the properties to residents. In August of 1996, the renovation of the properties began. Mr. Hancock chose Mary “One” Johnson of Gundaker Realtors to list and sell the properties once each unit was completed. The first home was sold in September of 1996 and the final unit was sold in December of 1996. AHM upper management considered the project a huge success with the final revenue figures from the sale of the homes more than $800,000. David Hancock said, “Ms. Johnson proved to be knowledgeable of the city real estate market as well as a dependable business partner to work with on this project”. The lasting effect of this renovation will be enjoyed for many years to come by residents of the Baden area.


Mayor Francis Slay has appointed Mary One to several boards and committees focused on the redevelopment of the city. Mayor Slay says, “Mary One Johnson was here selling the city when no one else was”.What does Mary “One” have that other realtors don’t? Mary grew up in the city and remembers the city with a house on every lot and a family in every house. She takes her memories and vision and embraces the possibility of new communities to replace the barren acres of city land.Mary “One” has a philosophy which says that before you can sell anyone anything, you must be first willing to buy it yourself!Mary “One” has developed and tested a marketing program which ensures success. Her focus is on marketing the home, the businesses, the community and the city in one holistic package.Her success at marketing is evidence by her ability to bring ready, willing and able buyers to the various developments in support of her developers. Along with buyers comes the much needed businesses, and MaryOne is there to help them bond with those communities.

Accolades Part 1

Awards, Certification, Credentials & MembershipSelected as the 2006 Dr. Martin Luther King Women of the Year for St. Louis.Selected as One of the Most Influential Women in Business for 2006 by St. Louis Business Journal.Selected by the St. Louis Business Journal and St. Louis Association of Realtors as number 9 of the Top Realtors in Missouri.Mary “One”, Enterprise LLC selected by Mayor Slay and the city of St. Louis as Developer of the Year in 2004.Mayor Frances Slay appointed Mary “One” Johnson as a commissioner of the Preservation Board.Awarded Community Partnership Award 2003 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.Mary “One” was awarded by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc the Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Leadership in Housing Development.Mary “One” Johnson graduated from Washington University in February 2000 for Business of Construction.Selected as one of the most successful and largest independently owned and home-grown real estate companies in the St. Louis metropolitan area.Received the Shining Star Award from U.S. Housing and Urban Development.

Accolades Part 2

Successfully represented thousands of clients during a 15-year real estate career.Sold over 200 million dollars in volume real estate over the last 15 years; awarded the Multi-Million Dollar Club Award.Awarded Who’s Who in St. Louis in 2004, 2005, 2006.Awarded Mokans Outstanding Community Service Award.Awarded Community Developer for 2005 by Archs for being a developer that is rebuilding communities and increasing home ownership.Awarded Top 25 African American Business Owner in Metropolitan St. Louis from 2001 to 2005.Received Unsung Heroine Community Service Award.Given Community Partnership Award by Housing and Urban Development.Member of National Association of Realtors.Member of National Association of Home Builders.Member of Missouri Real Estate Commission.Member of St. Louis Association of RealtorsMember of St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association.Member of St. Louis Minority Business Council.Member of Home Builders Association.Certified Minority Business Entity/Women Business Entity/Disadvantage Business Entity (MBE/WBE/DBE)

Construction Cost Breakdown - Real EstateCommissionsMarketing (Print, Media, Online)Closing CostInsuranceGeneral LiabilityWorkers CompSurety Bond

Home Construction Example

Construction Cost Breakdown - ContractingDemolitionFraming: L&MElectrical Wiring: L&MElectrical Fixtures 8 ceiling fixtures, 3 wall fixtures, 3 wall lights, 4 outside lightsPlumping, Piping, L&MPlumbing Fixtures: 1 tub, 1 shower, 4 vanity tops, 3 toilets, 1 kitchen sink, 1 tub/shower faucet, 1 shower faucet, 4 vanity faucets, 1 kitchen faucetDrywall, L&MDrywall Taping, L&MPainting Interior Walls, ceiling and trim, exterior trim L&MTuck PointingRoofingHVACCabinetry/Kitchen and baths (material only)Kitchen CountertopsAppliances: dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, garbage disposal, microwaveInterior Trim and Cabinet InstallationExterior Trim L&MLandscaping and Rear FencingFlooring, Tile and WoodConcrete Flat WorkRear Decks (1 upper and 1 lower)Windows L&MConstruction Cleaning

Home Construction Example

Turning This

Into This

Why We Help

Mary One Home Team Realty is offering this proposal to market and sell properties. Using our services will allow you to take advantage of our many years of experience, excellent connections and contacts, and our ability to connect to the established real estate Multiple Listing Network.BackgroundMary One Johnson; Broker/Owner of Mary One Johnson Ventures, the only real estate company that has a 21 year proven track record of working in the “whole” city of St. Louis. Ms. Johnson has a history of helping to turn around some of the most devastated neighborhoods when in 1995 the citizens in the community, the Alderperson, the Director of the SLDC, local developers and banks came to us for help. She succeeded where the many realtors that had come before us had failed.When MaryOne Home Team Realty came to St. Louis communities, we had never met a community or property that we couldn’t sell. We put the Mary One Johnson Rebirth of Devastated Communities Program into action, and this is the reason for our success.MaryOne was born and raised the city of St. Louis in neighborhoods where her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles owned their own homes. Mary remembers a time when there was a house on every lot and an active and viable family in every home.Mary One remembers mom and pop stores on the corners, community parks filled with kids playing baseball and football and summer concerts. She now envisions walking backwards in time by making that vision a reality again. For 21 years MaryOne has been able to successfully do what other realtors couldn’t, because of her vision. She doesn’t just sell a home, Mary One and Mary One Home Team Realty provides rebirth by introducing new families to the opportunity of home ownership the opportunity to become a part of a community under Rebirth

Proposal

Mary One Home Team Realty will bring our proven system that has worked successfully for 21 years. When listing in our city or community, we will work as a team player with to list and rehab your properties. Together, we will put Mary One’s system to work. This system will include home buying seminars, credit counseling seminars, weekly TV shows and radio shows every two months. The home buying seminars would serve to familiarize the people with the entire purchase rehab process.The following people will be included in the home buyer and credit counseling seminars:• Credit Counselors• Local Bank Representatives• Local Title Company Representatives• Insurance Agents and Representatives• Local Architects• City Building Inspectors• Engineers and General Contractors

In the seminars, MaryOne will discuss the benefits of rehabbing your own home versus purchasing one already rehabbed.In the process, we will meet with the neighborhood association to get them onboard as a team player.MaryOne will be over the total process from to contract to close and rehab of the homes and commercial properties. As a successful developer herself, MaryOne will bring that knowledge to ensure that the Mary One listing and selling of the 26th Ward homes and commercial properties is a great success.

Conclusion

The MaryOne team would like to thank you for your time and consideration. We are always happy to share our

vision with you and we hope to have a long lasting and

successful partnership.