V
anessa Johnson, the newly appointed 2025 board president for the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors, is making history as the first Hispanic person to hold the position. She believes that her selection has a profound impact on the community, particularly for young people who see themselves in her. "It really struck me when I spoke with a colleague's daughter who said, 'You just made it possible for me to do something like this for somebody who is like me, who is raised by a Hispanic father,'" Johnson recalled.

    Johnson has been a real estate agent and team lead at eXp Realty for nearly 20 years. She started her career at Keller Williams Green Meadows in Oklahoma City and its suburbs. A graduate of Austin College with degrees in political science and social work, Johnson moved to Moore with her family in 2004.

    As the board president, Johnson aims to provide educational services, advocacy, and community betterment for Realtors and affiliate members. She believes that the association's role is crucial in making Oklahoma City a vibrant place for people moving there. "We deal a lot with city planning and pushing initiatives forward," she said. "Advocacy is a huge part of what we do to push for homeowner rights."

    Johnson expects the OKC real estate market to continue growing, driven by the city's economic development and affordable housing options. She credits Mayor David Holt's vision for the city's growth and notes that Oklahoma City is one of the cheapest places to live in the country. "We need to make sure we have affordable housing, and I think they are addressing that right now," she said.

    In terms of trends in the real estate industry, Johnson expects affordability to remain a key factor, with people moving from California to take advantage of lower prices. She also notes that commerce is doing well in Oklahoma City, with technology and other fields growing in the area. "We're on a growth trajectory, so I think we can really grow and provide services here," she said.

    As for hot real estate markets in Oklahoma, Johnson identifies Yukon, Moore, Piedmont, Choctaw, and Mustang as areas that are developing rapidly due to their proximity to good schools and major corridors. She expects the market to hold steady until interest rates change, but notes that properties under $300,000 are still moving quickly.

    Johnson also highlights the need for affordable housing options, particularly for baby boomers who will be aging out of their homes in the next few years. "We have a huge population that's going to need to move into new housing," she said. "And I think that's another issue Oklahoma hasn't really thought about."