Sherri Parsons, M.B.A.
Sherri Parsons, M.B.A., is a seasoned real estate professional with over 26 years of experience in the industry, beginning her career on the legal side as a paralegal for law firms and banks handling title work, title litigation, and default servicing. Her first job was with an attorney while she was a junior in high school, and she joined full-time after graduation. Sherri earned her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Maryland and, as a military spouse, pursued a Master’s in Business Administration in Organizational Management from Old Dominion University through a joint JD program. After many years in real estate law, she transitioned to real estate sales in 2017 and, since 2020, has led The Parsons Real Estate Team, overseeing 19 agents with a focus on training, mentoring, and helping new agents navigate contracts and build their business.
Sherri is passionate about empowering first-time homebuyers, particularly low- to moderate-income clients who are often overlooked by other agents. As a HUD-certified housing counselor and Virginia Department of Housing Home Buyer Trainer, she teaches required first-time homebuyer classes for grant programs and guides clients through the complexities of homeownership. Helping families achieve security, generational wealth, and long-term financial stability is the most rewarding aspect of her work. She is especially dedicated to supporting women, including single women, in building wealth and establishing strong financial foundations.
Beyond her real estate practice, Sherri serves as Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Community Development Corporation, where she has spent 15 years providing financial counseling, fiscal education, mentoring programs for youth, and community outreach initiatives. Her leadership blends strategic, data-driven insights with a heart for service, creating opportunities for growth, empowerment, and stronger communities. Sherri combines her extensive experience, legal expertise, and deep commitment to mentoring to foster lasting impact in both the real estate industry and the communities she serves.
• Certified HUD Housing Counselor
• Virginia Department of Housing Certified Home Education Trainer
• University of Maryland - BA, Legal Studies, General
• Old Dominion University - MBA
• Executive Director of Hampton Roads Community Development Corporation
• Youth Mentoring Program on Fiscal Fitness
• Community Outreach and Budgeting Assistance
• Xplosion Athletics
• Hampton Roads Community Development Corporation
• Teens At Work
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say the key to my success is resiliency. Throughout my 26 years in real estate, I've seen the market go through so many changes. I started in default servicing at the height of the real estate industry fall in 2008, and I witnessed everything that happened during that crisis. When I transitioned to real estate sales, I continued to see the market fluctuate up and down. The key is being resilient and pivoting whenever you see something happening, being able to recognize it and change with the times. This is especially important now with the advent of AI and automation becoming incorporated everywhere. I don't think AI will replace real estate agents, but agents who don't know how to use it or don't embrace it will be replaced by people who do. The ones I see embracing it are killing it. A lot of people jumped into real estate in 2020 and 2021 when it was easy, but now we're seeing many fall out of the industry because it's not an easy job. However, it can be lucrative and very rewarding if you continue to work hard and don't give up.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be ready for some challenges, but those challenges actually make you a better agent. A lot of people jumped into real estate in 2020 and 2021 when it was easy, but now we're seeing a lot of people fall out of the industry because it's not an easy job. However, it can be lucrative and very rewarding. Just continue to work hard and don't give up.