The slogan for George W. Johnson’s Ballard business is, “Serving the Seattle area with quality and excellence since 1936.” That right, Johnson is 96 years old, and he’s believed to be the oldest active realtor in the country.
“It’s a beautiful time to buy,” he told KING 5, remembering the 60’s and 70’s when Boeing’s massive layoffs hit the housing market hard. But that’s not the worst of it — Johnson arrived in Ballard during the Great Depression. “I wouldn’t want to go through another depression,” he said. By the way, when Johnson began working in real estate, there was no listing service, no home inspections and no escrow services. And a photo from 1947 on Johnson’s website advertises a home for… $6,000. Ah, those were the days.
Oldest realtor in U.S. lives here in Ballard
I live in the apartments above George Johnson Realty, and when my car got stuck in the snow, George himself came out with a shovel to help get it out. Pretty much the sweetest landlord ever.
I get my auto insurance there with his sons I believe. He is always there. What, no golf? Like my father, he unfortunately had little else to do, and is in uniform daily. A wonderful man with stories to tell. A wealth of information. All this AND a nice suit. Time though to take a cruise or something. Keep on keepin on.
More proof that age is all about attitude! This gentleman sounds more active and engaged than many people 1/2-1/3 his age.
the real “old ballard.”
Great Guy. I live in the house that used to belong to his brother.
He's 96 and he's shoveling snow? Geez, he's in better shape than I am, and I'm 30.