Nate Johnson will lead you to your perfect home in St. Louis.

Some of the St. Louis region’s most creative minds are part of the RBC’s Young Professionals Network Leadership 100. But who are they and how are they helping to shape a stronger St. Louis?

That’s what we’re addressing in our blog series, “Meet the YPN Leadership 100,” where we introduce you to members of our YPN community who are providing exceptional leadership, service, culture and innovation to our area.

Today’s featured YPN Leadership 100 member is Nate Johnson, president and broker of Real Estate Solutions, a full service residential real estate brokerage with a commitment to helping clients achieve their real estate goals. Nate earned his Missouri real estate license from the American School of Real Estate and has been a member of St. Louis Association of REALTORS since 1999, serving as president in 2011. He is involved with 100 Black Men of St. Louis, the St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Boys Hope/Girls Hope and other organizations.

Learn more about Nate in our Q&A below!

You wear many hats. How would you introduce yourself to a new YPN member?

As a real estate broker, I have the opportunity to help people achieve homeownership across our region. Many of my clients are not from St. Louis, so I have a wonderful time discussing some of the great things that our region has to offer. So, in addition to being a Real Estate Broker, I guess I’m a tour guide and community builder.

What do you enjoy about belonging to organizations like YPN?

When you get into a group of dynamic people, great things can happen. I’m often inspired by the people that I meet and the conversations that I have within organizations like YPN. It is a great investment of my time, as I am always striving to learn something new and gain different perspectives. It is also rewarding when I can help someone with a challenge that they may be facing.

Describe a favorite project that you’re currently working on.

My company, Real Estate Solutions, is marking its ten year anniversary this year. I have been a broker for 14 years, and I have seen the ups and downs of the market over that time. I’ve got to say that my favorite project is still getting up and helping people achieve their real estate goals every day!

In addition to helping traditional buyers and sellers of real estate, a couple of specific favorite projects that we are currently working on would include our representation of the Normandy School District in marketing a 6 million dollar portfolio of former school buildings. We love representing Fast Track Homes, a development company who is building 40 new homes within the Jennings community.

Another favorite project is our representation of X3 Modern Developers, who is building upscale homes in the Central West End area of St. Louis. I’m also co-chair for an energy efficient housing competition here in St. Louis. We are soliciting designs from architects and development teams to construct these homes in the St. Louis region. That’s another one of my favorite projects. It’s tough to choose, it’s like asking me which one of my kids is my favorite!

Why should someone base their business/career in St. Louis?

We have all heard it said that St. Louis is a big small town. What that means to me is that our region is small enough that you are not that many steps away from meeting anyone that you want here. Yet we have all of the amenities and services that larger cities have — not to mention the tremendous corporate, institutional, and educational citizens-which are tremendous resources in our city. The historic architecture and great parks and museums are also fantastic attractions. Let’s not forget the overall low cost of living here. Also, the smart folks at Kiplinger named St. Louis as one of the top places to start a business.

What are your first three stops when an out-of-town friend visits?

• Forest Park
• The Loop
• Washington Avenue

What’s one St. Louis tradition that everyone must experience?

Having someone ask you what high school you went to! Just kidding, I hate that question. I think that the experience of walking into a free world-class zoo, located in the largest urban park in the country, complete with great museums and 36 holes of golf is something that you can’t pass up.

Catch up with other YPN leaders in our YPN Leadership 100 blog series!