Sherri Sanders

Written by Kevin Green | Photos by Kenneth Baucum Photography

Sherri Sanders isn’t just one of Tulsa’s top real estate agents — she is also a devoted grandmother managing a busy life filled with birthday parties, ballgames, and family events.

Although many may struggle to balance career and family, Sanders thrives in both worlds, maintaining a demanding real estate business while staying deeply involved in her nine grandchildren’s lives.

With 20 years of experience in the industry, Sanders has built a strong client base, largely through referrals and open houses. Despite the challenges of being a top-producing agent, she enjoys the fast-paced world of real estate, often navigating multiple transactions while making time for her family.

“I think after 20 years in this business, my priorities have changed a little bit,” Sanders said. “I have a really solid base of clients — people I love working with, their family and friends — so it's fun. I love the job, and that makes it a lot easier.”

EARLY CAREER
Before stepping into real estate, Sanders had a diverse professional background.

She earned a degree in marketing and computer science from Oklahoma State University, which led to early jobs in newspaper printing and as a legal assistant, which gave her a strong foundation in contracts and negotiations. These experiences shaped her strong communication skills and meticulous attention to detail, qualities that later helped her excel in real estate.

“Once my two boys were in college and I had an empty nest, I decided I wanted to do something new,” Sanders said. “So, I took on real estate, and it’s definitely the best career I’ve ever had. I have three degrees, and this one doesn’t even require a degree, but it's been my favorite. With my legal background and my father being a contractor—he built most of the houses we lived in—I was always around homes. I just love houses and love helping people.”

REAL ESTATE JOURNEY & CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS
Sanders found early success in real estate, winning Rookie of the Year during her first year on the job.

She credits her achievements to dedicated networking, attending open houses, and working closely with builders. She also learned the value of persistence, especially in an industry where building a strong reputation is key.

“I've always been among the top producers,” Sanders said. “When I first started, I worked for a lot of builders, which is really hard work. You're constantly sitting in open houses. The upside is that you only have to please one client—the builder. I worked for three or four different builders over the years, and a couple of them had a lot of homes. I actually got my start when I showed a house for a builder and sold it. Then, I started building my business from open houses. People would come in, we’d start talking and before I knew it, I was listing their house or helping them buy. It all grew from there.”

Over the years, her business has flourished thanks to client referrals.

Many of her clients return for repeat transactions or recommend her to friends and family. Sanders prides herself on forming deep connections with buyers and sellers, ensuring they feel supported throughout the process.

“Most of my business comes from referrals—probably 95% of it,” Sanders said. “It’s the greatest compliment when people refer me. I end up becoming friends with most of my clients. I go to their kids' birthday parties and baby showers—it’s a blessing.”

PERSONAL CHALLENGES & PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
Despite her professional success, Sanders has faced personal challenges.

She cared for her mother during a battle with cancer while simultaneously selling $19 million in properties last year. One of her biggest sales was a $5.5 million home, a significant achievement in Tulsa’s market.

“That was really busy, taking her to a lot of appointments, but it was very rewarding to be able to spend the last six months with her daily,” Sanders said.

She acknowledges the financial rewards of real estate but also recognizes the pressure of constantly performing at a high level.

However, one of the greatest rewards of her job is the flexibility it provides. Being her own boss allows her to balance real estate and family, even if the two worlds occasionally collide.

When she is in a pinch, her son, Hunter, serves as a trusty teammate.

“I talked him into getting into real estate, and he’s actually with McGraw also,” Sanders said. “He sells mainly land and recreational properties. He lives and breathes land. We're really a team in a lot of ways. If I want to go out of town or something, he takes over all my clients if I need help, and I take over his clients as well.”

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Beyond real estate, Sanders is deeply involved in her church, CommonGround, where she heads the greeter team and participates in outreach programs that help low-income families.
Giving back to the community is important to her, and she finds fulfillment in volunteering.

“I've been there probably about 15 or 16 years, and I’m the co-head of the greeter team,” Sanders said. “(CommonGround) is situated in the middle of low-income housing, so we do a lot of food ministry, clothing ministry—it's like a mission trip in town. That's really, really rewarding to me. I just love doing that. I volunteer on Sunday, and I'm there all morning on the greeter team, just making sure everyone that comes through the door (feels welcome).”

Her personal life has also evolved, for she has remarried and navigates the complexities of a blended family.

With nine grandchildren, family gatherings are never small, and managing everyone’s schedules is a challenge she embraces.

“If you have family over for a birthday, there’s 21 of us,” Sanders said. “It’s like Thanksgiving.”

FUTURE PLANS
Looking ahead, Sanders has no plans to slow down.

She remains committed to her real estate career and is excited about helping more clients navigate the housing market. However, she also wants to continue volunteering at her church and spending time with her growing family.

For Sanders, success is about more than just closing deals — it is about building relationships, maintaining balance, and giving back to the community. Her journey from marketing and legal work to becoming a top-selling real estate agent in Tulsa is a testament to her determination, adaptability, and passion for helping others find their dream homes.

“I think it's a job you can do forever,” Sanders said. “I'm still in it for the long haul. I love it.”