Each year, Midwest Real Estate News inducts a new class into its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Last year, despite its challenges, was no exception. Here’s a look at the busy career of one of our newest inductees, Sally DeLair, sales associate with NAI FMA Realty in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In her more than 30 years of real estate experience, Sally DeLair has built a large client portfolio consisting of tenants, owners, landlords and developers in the acquisition, disposition and leasing of their real estate assets. Her primary focus is retail brokerage including leasing, sales and site selection for local, regional and national brands.
“What I enjoy most is the variety of people I have met and searching/problem solving for clients,” Delair said, regarding what she gets out of the commercial real estate industry. “I enjoy listening closely to the wants, needs and dreams of clients.”
DeLair has long-standing, respected expertise within the industrial/warehouse market, office park developments and local non-profit associations. Her career in commercial sales, leasing and property management began in 1985. She provided real estate services to customers in Nevada and Arizona before joining NAI FMA Realty in 1996.
“Lincoln and the Midwest are wonderful and solid places to live and work,” DeLair said. “My involvement with several nonprofits has been extremely rewarding, especially working to understand their mission and solve their real estate needs.”
Among those professional and non-profit affiliations, DeLair has been involved with the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), is a member of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA), a member of the REALTOR Association of Lincoln (RAL), a member participant in the Commercial Broker’s Committee, RAL NAI Global Retail Council, a member of Goodwill Industries, a board member of Lincoln Community Playhouse, former board member (12 years) with First Plymouth Church and she has been involved with the Women’s Ministry Board.
While 2020 had its share of challenges, DeLair said that there are other summits she has had to mount during her career in commercial real estate.
“Providing confidence for the client, myself and my peers when the market is in a constant state of flux can be a challenge,” DeLair said, as well as “counseling those who need to downsize, grow or just review their position in the market.”
DeLair chalks up her success in this business to constant communication, research and knowing the market to the best of her ability.
“What are the steps you’ve taken to succeed in commercial real estate? Keeping up to date on trends throughout the country in larger markets is important,” said DeLair. “So is knowing that our smaller, tertiary market will be the next one for consideration.”
