My story, and how it shapes the way I work with you.
Hi, I’m Kelly Johnson! With over five years of real estate experience, I’ve honed my skills in one of California’s most demanding markets, working on a top-performing team that ranked in the top 1% of its market. Throughout my career, I have developed a reputation for attention to detail, market insight, and a personalized approach to every client interaction. My goal is to ensure that every transaction is smooth, transparent, and ultimately successful. Prior to real estate, I spent 20 years in the banking industry, where I built a deep understanding of financial strategies, mortgage processes, and investment planning. This extensive background gives me a unique edge when helping clients make informed decisions, whether they are first-time homebuyers, seasoned investors, or families looking for their forever home. Now, as I continue my career in North Carolina, I am committed to bringing my wealth of knowledge and unwavering dedication to help you achieve your real estate goals. I understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction; it's a life-changing experience, and I am here to support you every step of the way.
A local guide, with a boutique brokerage's full weight behind them.
Kelly pairs deep local knowledge with True North's marketing, technology, and distribution — so clients get concierge-level attention without giving up scale.
How Kelly + True North actually market your home.
No cookie-cutter checklists. Every listing gets the same senior-level treatment.
A real comparative market analysis with live absorption data from Canopy MLS — plus an honest range, not a wish price.
Every listing includes pro photography, floor plans, and — where it earns its keep — drone, video walk-throughs, and twilight shots. No 'good enough' iPhone photos.
Your home hits Canopy MLS plus Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and Homes.com — all with correct data and pro media.
True North's Social Studio generates on-brand posts across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, plus a targeted email push to our sphere and past-client database.
Kelly negotiates with a full brokerage playbook behind them — pricing strategy, inspection response templates, and appraisal defense that a solo agent can't match.
A dedicated coordinator owns your timeline — inspections, appraisal, lender check-ins, closing — so you get updates, not scavenger hunts.
You get a real person on the phone, backed by the entire True North operation.
- ✓Direct access — you text Kelly, Kelly answers. No junior handoff.
- ✓Local expertise across Hickory, Connelly Springs, Granite Falls — schools, commutes, HOAs, the stuff Zillow can't tell you.
- ✓Early access to True North's coming-soon listings and network-sourced opportunities before they hit the public MLS.
- ✓Preferred lender + inspector + attorney bench — vetted, not paid referrals.
- ✓A written buyer or seller game plan before you ever tour or list.
- ✓Transparent pricing — no junk fees, no surprise closing costs.
- ✓Post-close support: contractor referrals, tax appeals, refinance timing.
- ✓A brokerage that treats agents like partners, not seat-fillers — which is why your agent is here for the long haul.
True North Realty · Hickory, NC
Based in downtown Hickory and serving buyers and sellers across the Catawba Valley, Lake Norman, the High Country, and the greater Charlotte and Triad regions. Kelly works with you virtually or in person.