Those who reach for their dreams benefit greatly from your experience and expertise. With you as their guide, they are equipped to make it through to the closing table.

That’s an area where Gabriela Verdugo-Johnson excels, as well.

As a Bilingual real estate agent with Murney Associates, Gabriela has a passion for her work as an active advocate for her clients.

“I love meeting people, including immigrants … and telling them that, yes, there is a possibility for them to own a home and do many other things,” Gabriela says. 

“I love lead generation, and getting people to the closing table.”

Competitive Spark

Those who work with Gabriela see her competitive spark and the way she applies that energy to helping them achieve their goals. 

That spirit has been honed for Gabriela through her life as a world-class swimmer. In fact, she was a member of the Mexican National Swim Team for four years. She also competed in the 2011 Pan American Games.

In time, she came to the U.S. to complete her education. She had multiple scholarship offers from colleges who wanted her on their team, too. She continued to excel at a high level. 

In fact, she was a five-time All-American and an NCAA Division II Champion. Her favorite events included the 100 Freestyle, along with the 200 Freestyle and 100 Fly.

Steps Ahead

After she completed her education, it was time to take her next steps forward.

“In 2020 I was working as a Personal Trainer and COVID-19 closed the gyms. For a time, I kept training people in my garage,” she remembers. 

“That’s when I looked at entering real estate. Every Hispanic person I had known was renting or they owned a mobile home. My husband is a lender, and I decided my big reason to do this was to help them get a house and be a homeowner.”

Getting Her Start

Gabriela earned her license in November 2020, and has continued building success for herself and others through time. She got off to a very fast start in the business. 

In fact, during her first full year in real estate in 2021, she recorded an impressive total of 54 transactions. She followed that up in 2022 with 61 transactions.

As she thinks back on her life reaching goals in swimming and real estate, Gabriela sees a clear parallel between the two.

“Being successful in swimming and real estate requires discipline,” she says. “Through swimming, I needed to be disciplined … on time and dedicated to practicing and improving every day.”

Winning Teamwork

Gabriela smiles with pride when she talks about her team … the Dulce Hogar Team.

“We have four real estate agents on the team who are bilingual who are focused on the Hispanic community, including Angelica Canul, Christian Estrella, Noelia Guzman and myself,” Gabriela explains. “Our team has started a Hispanic Networking Group that focuses on bringing awareness about the necessities of our community and finding ways to help them.”

Family Foundation

Away from work, Gabriela treasures time with her husband, Kyle Johnson. 

In her free time, she loves working out. They also like to explore local Mexican Restaurants.

When it comes to giving back, Gabriela enjoys being part of the organization Group Latino Americano.

“It’s a nonprofit that focuses on teaching English to people from Hispanic countries,” she says. “We learn dances from Hispanic countries and we perform through the year.”

Another favorite group that has a big place in Gabriela’s heart is Hand in Hand.

As she says, “That’s a group that legally gives advice and helps people with their immigration status. They help all immigrants.”

Leading by Example

Gabriela also helps others move forward beyond their circumstances. She had grown up and came of age in Ciudad Juarez … a city in Mexico just across the border from the U.S. that was widely considered to be one of the most dangerous cities on the planet that was riddled with gang violence.

“With every closing I have, I donate 3 to 5 percent of my commission to help organizations here and in Mexico to help children,” she says. 

“Swimming saved me. I try my best to help kids from my city by providing funds for scholarships for their sports so hopefully, they can come to the U.S. if they want.”

With intensity, purpose and action, Gabriela is a person who makes positive things happen for those around her. 

“When people get to know me, they describe me as intense,” Gabriela says. “I like to get things done and go for the next thing. I really want to make a difference for the Hispanic community, as well as all of my clients. I love what I do.”

Congratulations to Gabriela Verdugo for the undeniable impact she makes for others by being an active advocate for them and their dreams.