Nancy Johns

Managing Broker
Windermere Stellar
360-624-6598
www.nancy4homes.com

How long have you worked in Real Estate?
I’ve been involved in real estate in Clark County since the middle of 1992. My husband was a small homebuilder in the community and my transition from a marketing management position in a local high tech firm to real estate was quite natural. At that time, I started with Lutz-Snyder, the leader in the market. I’ve been with Windermere since 1994 and during that time have seen lots of changes in the real estate brokerage landscape.

What is your specialty?
I specialize in single family, residential real estate — new construction and resale properties. Unlike some agents, I know the whole county and have sold properties from southern Cowlitz County to Vancouver to the Washougal part of Skamania County.

What is one tip you have for someone looking to buy or sell a home?
Find a Realtor®! Whether you are a buyer or seller, you need to partner with someone who understands the ins and outs of the market, is a good negotiator, and will let you pace your selling or buying in a way you are comfortable. There are lots of details even for the transaction that goes well, even more for those that hit snags. Be sure you find someone who communicates well and is focused on your needs first, who doesn’t just think of you as `another transaction’.

What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold?
I’ve sold several properties that have river frontage — Columbia, Washougal, east fork of the Lewis. I love the variety these homes have offered from sleek condo to Lodge-like. It is wonderfully refreshing and just plain fun to sit on the deck with new homeowners and enjoy the special sounds and sights those riverfront homes offer.

What is the most unusual thing you’ve encountered while working in real estate?
I have to say finding old newspapers as insulation in early 1900’s homes in downtown Vancouver or the homes with 1950’s backyard bomb shelters near Peace Health Hospital certainly come to mind.

What is the most challenging/gratifying aspect of what you do?
I love the variety of the clients I have the opportunity to work with–professional musicians, heads of companies, artists, families looking for their first or next place to call home, grandparents moving to be close to grandkids. Folks with the most interesting jobs and hobbies! It’s what keeps what I do fresh every day.

What do you see in the future for real estate sales/prices?
Tracking real estate over the last 30 years, we can see prices respond to supply and demand, and unit sales tracking job and population growth. Looking at the high level picture, I think this will continue to be the pattern. But, I think we need to remember when we are in a particular market — it is a localized one based on price range, physical location, age, features . . all those things that make the choices unique. An experienced Realtor® should be able to give you good info on all this so you can make an informed decision.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Hobbies, volunteering, family, fun?
I love being connected with family and friends. I’m also active in my community and the developing world. Here in Clark County, I’m involved at a local junior high with kids and families; I’ve been a long term supporter of Evergreen Habitat for Humanity. I’ve also been fortunate to be able to participate with World Vision and my faith community to bring potable water, health and economic development to communities in a number of places including Senegal, Mozambique, Mongolia, and Bangladesh to name a few.

What do you like about living in this area?
I moved to the Northwest in the late 70’s and absolutely love the proximity to beaches, mountains, high desert and everything in-between. For me, Clark County is the best of it – small enough to have a strong sense of community yet big enough to offer lots of leisure time options.

Anything else you would like our readers to know about you and your company?
I think to experience successful longevity in the community and real estate in particular, one has to put ethics/values first, clients’ needs and dreams next, and the rest follows. This way of doing business lines up with my personal values and I’ve associated with a real estate firm, Windermere Stellar, that ascribes to these same values. It can be amazing when you know that you’ve played a small part in helping your clients navigate change and be satisfied with the outcome.