Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Johnston
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started buying real estate in 2018 with the purchase of my first home and posting about the DIY renovation on instagram. I had so many ideas and not a ton of money to work with, so YouTube became my best friend! From there I started purchasing investment properties that I would move into, DIY renovate and then rent. Eventually I realized I wanted to be talking about real estate 24/7 so I became a licensed Realtor in 2023 and haven’t looked back!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, but all the bumps have been worth it since those are what taught me the most! It’s interesting because I think the biggest struggle has been having enough confidence in myself that I am capable of investing in real estate and building a real estate sales business. One of the most challenging experiences was with my most recent renovation of my duplex, it took me longer to complete one of the units and rent it out which made me feel like I was burning money literally every second I wasn’t working on that project. But now over a year out from that project finishing everything worked out fine, I have a great tenant and did not fall into financial ruin like I thought I might. In fact the duplex has been incredibly lucrative. The duplex project, although incredibly painful at the time, has been one of the biggest confidence boosts and encouraged me to commit fully to my business. It doesn’t have to be perfect every step of the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Claire Johnston, Realtor?
I am best known from my instagram account, @minncenturymod – where I started by posting DIY home renovation projects, then started talking more about personal finance and real estate investing. Now that I am licensed Realtor I still post about all those original topics but focus a lot on educating my followers about the home buying and selling process. Through it all though my focus has always been on architecturally significant homes, my first home was a Mid-Century Modern and now I have multiple Craftsman Bungalow rentals. Chunky trim, plaster walls, and pocket doors are just a few of my favorite home features I love to find for my clients.
As a Realtor I specialize in charming old homes in the Twin Cities and working with clients who have a heart for old homes, despite their quirks! No matter the condition I can see the vision to bring a home back to life, and I love helping clients navigate everything from estimating renovation expenses to navigating multiple offer situations without getting discouraged. I also work with a variety of investors, both seasoned and brand new investors. Rental properties are a whole different experience to search for vs a traditional single family home.
One of my favorite parts of being a Realtor is educating people, whether it’s first time homeowner learning about routine home maintenance or new landlord navigating city licensing requirements and tenant screening laws – it’s all fun!
Brand-wise I am most proud that I focus on clients in any budget range and homes in any condition. Whether your goal is to buy a bargain investment property in distressed condition or a move in ready 5,000 sq ft new build I’m here to help. Real estate can look so flashy and perfect on TV but the reality is for the average home buyer a lot of homes they’re looking at will need some love, and after doing multiple renovations myself I can help advise on the cost, timeline and what you can DIY vs. what you might want to hire out.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can most easily find me on instagram: @minncenturymod
Email: [email protected]
My DMs are always open for any house related questions! A like, follow or share is a great way to support me on instagram. And if you know of anybody looking to buy or sell a home sending them my way is always appreciated.
I am also looking to host a monthly craft night and a few intro to DIY workshops in the near future so be on the lookout for that. Otherwise I love attending real estate investing meetups and meeting anyone and everyone interested in talking about real estate – always here for a coffee date.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.minncenturymod.com
- Instagram: minncenturymod
