Veterans Spotlight: Sarah Coleman Lee
Sarah Coleman-Lee is a Realtor® with Charleston’s Best Home Team Realty ONE Group and a retired Master Sergeant with 22 years of service in the US Air Force. She is a remarkable woman whose journey is characterized by resilience, determination and a passion for making a positive impact. Born and raised in Pritchard, Alabama by her mother, she is the youngest of twelve children. She learned the value of service to the community, hard work and perseverance at an early age.
Following high school, Sarah’s plan was to follow in the footsteps of many of her family members and siblings and join the military. However, she was waitlisted and while she waited, she enrolled in college for two years and pursued her education. While in the Air Force she initially worked in supply but later shifted into the medical field. She sought out additional assignments often to include working Air Vac. She also continued to pursue her educational goals and attended classes wherever she was based, ultimately obtaining a bachelor degree in science and a master’s degree in healthcare management from California College of Health Sciences.
While enlisted, Sarah realized the opportunities available as a real estate investor and invested in fix and flips for passive income. This led to her transition into full time real estate sales upon retirement in 2008. The career transition was challenging, she says. “Starting from scratch, building from scratch and learning from scratch wasn’t easy but I was motivated to push harder by my brokers and by the market, which entered recession shortly after I became licensed” said Sarah. Her personal experience working through the challenges of relocating a family is why she is passionate about her specialty as a Military Relocation Professional (MRP). Sarah also earned her broker license along with the ABR, AHWD, CRS, SRS, PMN and E-PRO designations and is currently working on completing C2EX.
In addition to her educational achievements, Sarah has earned numerous accolades and recognition to include recognition as the 2022 Charleston Realtor® of the Year, following a long list of leadership roles, including: 2023 Coastal SC Women’s Council of Realtors® network President, 2021 CHS MLS Board President, service on the Appeals Committee and Nominating Committee. As a community advocate, she has been an Ambassador with Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, the Ronald Mc Donald House and the Jenkins Orphanage. She continues to inspire others through her work, reminding us that one person can truly can make a difference.
Sarah says, “Whether it’s today, whether it’s tomorrow, whether it’s in this market, or whether it’s in this season, never give up. It’s not all about the database, or how many transactions I’m going to make, it’s not about the details it takes to put your business together, but it’s about mindset—when you change your perspective the way you see things begins to change.”
