Scenic sunset waterfront view representing the beautiful lakes and rivers of the Twin Cities
Pemberton Realty · Mahtomedi, Minnesota

Melissa A Johnson Minnesota & Western WisconsinReal Estate Agent

Serving Twin Cities communities including Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, Lake Elmo, and Forest Lake, plus the St. Croix River Valley and Western Wisconsin: with practical experience, honest guidance, and a calm head under pressure.

Why Work With Melissa

What Makes Melissa Different

Most agents bring a license. Melissa brings 15 years keeping people calm in emergencies, 20 years of hands-on investing, and a modern marketing edge that puts her listings in front of the right buyers.

Calm When It Counts

Fifteen years as a firefighter and EMT at the Mahtomedi Fire Department taught Melissa something you cannot learn in real estate school: how to stay steady when things get intense. A surprise inspection issue, a financing snag halfway through escrow, a counteroffer that comes in at the last minute. She has handled real emergencies. A real estate transaction is no match for that kind of composure. Clients feel the difference when the unexpected happens and their agent does not flinch.

Built on Investing Experience

While many agents learn real estate from textbooks, Melissa learned it firsthand through years of flipping houses and managing BRRRR rentals, working side by side with contractors on her own investment properties. She and her husband Pat started with a single rental property and built from there. That means when she walks through a home, she spots deferred maintenance, knows what a real renovation costs, and can tell you which upgrades pay off at resale. She has been on the investor side of the table. Her advice comes from experience, not theory.

Marketing That Sells

Melissa combines honest, old-fashioned guidance with modern marketing technology that gets results. Her listings are supported by cinematic walkthrough videos, AI-built property sites that highlight a home's best features, and targeted digital campaigns that reach the right buyers, not just window shoppers. The goal is simple: tell your home's story clearly and get it in front of the people who are ready to buy. No gimmicks. Just smart, effective marketing paired with the personal attention your home deserves.

Portfolio & Proof

Listings & Recent Results

Real properties Melissa has listed, marketed, and guided through the process. Including firsthand experience selling her own investment property.

53 Meadowlark Ln, Hudson, WI 54016
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53 Meadowlark Ln

Hudson, WI 54016

$340,000

2 bed · 1 bath

Listed by Melissa A Johnson

Log home exterior in Spooner, Wisconsin
Log Home

N6101 9th St

Spooner, WI 54801

Log home in the Northwoods

1443 Hazelwood St, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Sold

1443 Hazelwood St

Saint Paul, MN 55106

2 bed · 1 bath · 1,260 sq ft

Listed by Melissa A Johnson

10081 188th Ave NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Sold

10081 188th Ave NW

Elk River, MN 55330

3 bed · 2 bath · 3,204 sq ft

Seller represented by Melissa A Johnson

2708 171st Ln, Ham Lake, MN 55304
Sold · Agent-Owned Investment

2708 171st Ln

Ham Lake, MN 55304

4 bed · 3 bath · 3,432 sq ft

Agent-owned investment property renovated, managed, listed and sold by Melissa A Johnson.

406 Faversham Rd, Willernie, MN 55090
Sold

406 Faversham Rd

Willernie, MN 55090

3 bed · 2 bath

Seller represented by Melissa A Johnson

W8483 640th Ave, Ellsworth, WI 54011
Sold

W8483 640th Ave

Ellsworth, WI 54011

3 bed · 2 bath · 1,550 sq ft

Listed by Melissa A Johnson

Resources From Melissa

Support for Those Who Serve

A dedicated resource for the people who serve our communities, built by a retired firefighter and EMT Realtor who has been in your boots.

Client Experiences

What Clients Say

Real experiences from buyers and sellers Melissa has had the privilege to guide.

“Melissa's communication is outstanding—she's responsive, proactive, and always willing to explain the details in a way that makes the process feel easy rather than overwhelming.”

Heath Johnson

Google Review
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“From start to finish, she created a seamless process. She was knowledgeable, patient and kind.”

Mary Swirtz

Google Review
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“It was helpful to have her knowledge, experience, and advice as first time home buyers.”

Lily Gladis

Google Review
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“Without hesitation I would recommend Melissa to help you find your dream home!”

Andrew Lawton

Google Review
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“She really looked out for us and became like a part of our family.”

Cori Stuhr

Google Review
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“Absolute pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Melissa who went above and beyond in helping my daughter purchase her first recreational property.”

Kristin Erickson

Google Review
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Lake Living Guide

Explore The Lure
Your Local Lake Living Guide

Your hyper-local guide to everything along the St. Croix River valley and Twin Cities lake communities. From hidden gems and waterfront dining to community events and outdoor adventures, The Lure is your go-to resource for living the lake life to the fullest.

Explore The Lure

Local Spots

Curated favorites from White Bear Lake to Hudson

Events

Community happenings along the St. Croix

Neighborhoods

Lake community profiles and insights

Waterfront Living

Tips, trends, and lake lifestyle stories

Free Guide for Lake-Home Buyers

The Lake Home Buyer's Guide

The inspection checklist, lake level and waterfront questions, the buying process, and a White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi market snapshot, all in one free guide you can read right now.

What's inside the guide

  • The lake-home inspection checklist
  • What to know about lake levels and waterfronts
  • The buying process, from offer to closing
  • Market snapshot of White Bear Lake & Mahtomedi
  • Tips for first responders and veterans
Read the guide now
Buyer & Seller FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

Real questions from real home buyers and sellers in the Twin Cities lake communities. Here is how Melissa helps you navigate every step.

How does the home buying process start?

It starts with a conversation, no pressure. We sit down (in person or on a call) and talk through what you are looking for, what your budget looks like, and what timeline you are working with. From there I help you connect with a trusted lender to get pre-approved, so you know exactly what price range to shop in. Then we start looking at homes that fit your wish list. I walk you through each offer, each inspection, and each step of the closing process. Think of me as your guide and your advocate the whole way through.

What do I need to prepare to sell my home?

The first thing I do is come take a look at your home myself. I want to see what we are working with before I recommend a thing. Together we will talk through pricing strategy, what small updates or staging touches could make a difference, and what your timeline looks like. I handle all the listing details, professional photography, marketing, showings, and negotiations. You do not need to do a big renovation before listing. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint and some decluttering is all it takes. I will be honest with you about what adds value and what is not worth the investment.

What makes Mahtomedi and the St. Croix River valley unique as a place to live?

It is a way of life. You are never far from water, trails, or a great local spot to grab a bite. Mahtomedi and White Bear Lake offer that small-town feel with easy access to the Twin Cities. The St. Croix River valley running through Minnesota and Wisconsin gives you four-season recreation, incredible sunsets, and a tight-knit community feel you just do not find everywhere. I have lived and raised my family here. I know the school districts, the neighborhoods, the back roads, and the best places to watch the sun go down over the river.

Are you licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin?

Yes, I am licensed in both states. My Minnesota license number is 40815413, and my Wisconsin license number is 98496-94. That means whether you are looking at a lake cabin near Spooner, Wisconsin, or a family home in White Bear Lake, I can represent you on either side of the St. Croix River. A lot of buyers and sellers in this area cross state lines without changing agents, and being licensed in both states makes that smooth and seamless.

How does your firefighter/EMT background help as a Realtor?

Fifteen years at the Mahtomedi Fire Department taught me how to stay calm when things get chaotic. Buying or selling a home comes with unexpected moments, and I have seen plenty of them. I do not panic. I assess the situation, lay out the options, and keep things moving. Clients tell me they appreciate that steady presence when a deal hits a snag. That composure, combined with my years of hands-on experience renovating and managing properties, means I can spot issues before they become problems and help you make smart decisions under any circumstances.

What areas do you serve?

I serve the Twin Cities lake communities including Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, Lake Elmo, Forest Lake, Stillwater, and the surrounding areas, as well as the St. Croix River valley spanning into western Wisconsin. That includes Hudson, Osceola, Somerset, and the Spooner area. If you are buying or selling anywhere in that corridor, I can help. My life and my business revolve around the St. Croix valley, so I know these communities inside and out.

Do you work with veterans and first responders?

Absolutely. That community is close to my heart. After 15 years as a firefighter and EMT myself, I understand the unique needs of the people who serve. Whether you are a veteran using a VA loan, a police officer buying your first home, a nurse relocating for work, or a fellow firefighter looking to settle down, I make sure you get the respect and attention you deserve. You have dedicated your life to others, and I want to be the one who makes your real estate move as smooth as possible.

Still have questions? Melissa is happy to answer them personally.

Ask Melissa Your Question
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