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June 14, 2026Nearly Two Decades of Gratitude: What It Means to Be a REALTOR® and a Member of GLVAR
By Shari Sanderson, REALTOR®
Las Vegas Condo Mania at Award Realty
Co-listed with Michelle Manley and Kristine Murray | License #S.0067305 | 702-287-4290 | lasvegascondomania.com
As I look back on nearly twenty years in this business, I’m hit with a milestone that’s both professional and deeply personal — almost two decades as a member of the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS®.
Starting Out During the Irrational Exuberance of 2005–2006
When I started, it was 2005 and 2006 — the height of what people now call the “irrational exuberance” years. I worked on high-rise developments; one of them, Sky Las Vegas, actually got built. Two others never made it past the drawing board. Then the crash hit, and almost overnight my focus shifted to foreclosures and short sales.
The Crash, the Comeback, and What GLVAR Taught Me
GLVAR was right there with me through that — teaching me how to navigate short sales, how foreclosures worked, and most importantly, how to protect people who were losing everything. I didn’t know it then, but that education would define the kind of REALTOR® I became.
The Sacrifices No One Sees
People see the finished result of what we do — a home sold, keys exchanged, a successful closing. What they don’t see is the sacrifice. It’s taking a call at Disneyland and spending over an hour on a corner bench going line-by-line through an addendum while everyone else heads to the next ride. It’s showing a property on Christmas Eve because that’s when the buyer could see it. What they don’t see are the hours of preparation, negotiation, and problem-solving behind every deal, or the weight of helping a family make one of the biggest decisions of their lives. That responsibility is exactly why an organization like GLVAR matters so much.
GLVAR Has Always Been the Rock
I think sometimes I’ve taken it all for granted — but with everything that’s changed in this business over the years, GLVAR has always been the rock. Through the boom, the crash, the recovery, and everything since, it’s been the one constant.
Over the years, GLVAR gave me the education, training, and support to navigate an industry that never stops changing — continuing education, legal updates, market data, and more networking opportunities than I probably took full advantage of. And honestly? Even on the days I grumbled about having to attend another class, I always walked out having learned something. Watching from my computer is easier, sure, but I miss the energy of being in the room — catching up with colleagues, hearing what’s really going on in the market straight from the people living it.
If I’m being truly honest, I wish I’d made more time over the years to be involved — not just attending, but participating. Real estate has a way of keeping you in constant overload, and it’s easy to let the “extra” things slide. Even so, I’ve always appreciated having GLVAR there — a community I could lean on, even when I wasn’t showing up for it as much as I could have.
The REALTOR® designation has always meant more than holding a license. It’s a commitment to a Code of Ethics, to putting clients first, and to earning trust through honesty and care, transaction after transaction. I’ve watched Las Vegas transform — markets rising and falling, neighborhoods evolving, technology completely reshaping how we work. Through all of it, GLVAR has been a steady hand.
The Friendships and the “Legendary” Title
And maybe that’s the part I’m most grateful for: the people. The REALTORS®, brokers, educators, and volunteers who make up this association are some of the finest professionals I know. Some of my closest friendships in this business go back twenty years — colleagues who’ve since moved to California or other states, but who I still stay in touch with. I was showing a property recently and introduced myself to the REALTOR® on the other side, and they said, “Oh wow, you’re a legend in Las Vegas” — which, I’ll admit, gave me a good laugh at the time. But it stuck — today my website proudly reads, “Shari Sanderson, Legendary Condo Expert in Las Vegas.” We compete in the marketplace, but we share something deeper — a commitment to our clients and to the communities we serve. I’m especially thankful for the volunteers and leaders whose work happens quietly, behind the scenes, but who keep this profession strong for all of us.
Looking Ahead — AI, Innovation, and What Never Changes
As I look to the future, I do so with gratitude for the past and excitement for what’s ahead. We’re entering a new era — one shaped by AI, evolving technology, and changing expectations. But the things that define a REALTOR® — integrity, expertise, advocacy, and genuine human connection — those don’t change. There’s no automation out there that knows what a REALTOR® knows — someone who’s been in the field, knows every corner of the building, and seen it with their own eyes.
Here’s to the next chapter, where tradition meets innovation, and where GLVAR keeps leading us forward — together.
With gratitude,
Shari Sanderson
Las Vegas Condo Mania | Award Realty License #S.0067305
702-287-4290
lasvegascondomania.com
I was there from the beginning. I am still here. Call me.
Information reflects publicly available records and the author’s professional experience. Buyers should verify current pricing, availability, and HOA details at time of offer.
