Buffalo, ND native Sierra Wendt is young, but that doesn’t mean she is new to real estate.
A graduate of NDSU, Sierra actually began working as a real estate agent in 2018 after graduating high school and she’s been attacking the industry with passion ever since.
“I’ve been in commercial real estate for four years,” Sierra said. “I got my license in 2018 and sold residential properties for a couple years. When I transitioned to commercial real estate, I started with property management, which really helped me understand how leases work. I had the opportunity to see all the inner workings of owning a commercial building—what it takes to maintain a property, how the financials look with loan payments, tenants, and expenses, and how different lease structures can impact tenant outcomes. I learned that things like taxes, insurance, maintenance, and even utilities can be negotiated differently in a lease. Managing those leases, talking to tenants, and doing the on-the-ground work gave me valuable insight into how businesses operate day-to-day. The properties I managed were all commercial, and working with a few tenants directly helped me understand the practical aspects of managing commercial spaces. Today, I really enjoy helping businesses of all sizes navigate the commercial real estate world. It can be confusing for many clients because there’s so much involved in negotiating a lease. A lot of businesses don’t realize how much time they need to start the process or what the critical elements of the negotiation are.”
Starting a career as a freshman in college is abnormal—but if you know Sierra’s background, the fact that she did is not surprising. Sierra is the daughter of Craig Wendt, Co-Founder of Valley Landscaping in Fargo. According to Sierra, her father is a huge reason for her entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic.
“He sparked my interest for real estate,” Sierra said. “He taught me about it growing up. I would come to Fargo with him and ride around town while he did estimates. Seeing how hard he worked and how he created his schedule really ignited the entrepreneur inside me. I learned that I wanted to be in control of my work.
Sierra’s Strengths
“I’m very detail-oriented and hardworking. I’d say my biggest strength is taking the resources I have and using them to help you in a timely way. Communication is also a really big strength of mine—this is important because commercial deals can take a really long time to complete, and I think communication is key.”
Another key strength of Sierra’s is the support she receives from Property Resources Group. Surrounded by a team of experts, she has valuable resources and guidance while also bringing her own expertise to the table.
Working in a Male Male-Dominated Industry
“It is estimated that 15% of commercial realtors in Fargo Moorhead are female. It’s not about saying men and women are different, but there just aren’t many women in the field. I think getting to be one of the few women in this industry is fun, and I take a lot of pride in that. It’s definitely a tough and very competitive industry, but that makes it even more rewarding.”
The success I have depends on how much I put into my work—there’s no ceiling.”
Sierra says she has some investment properties, and she’d like to expand that over time. She also has a passion for helping others who are trying to break in with their first investment properties.
“Given my age, that’s where a lot of my sphere is right now,” Sierra said. “I’m helping a lot of people with their first investment properties and leases. It’s exciting because there’s so much they don’t know yet and I get to help them. It’s fun for me because I can relate to them and help answer their questions and ease some of the nervousness that often comes with these decisions. It’s so rewarding seeing businesses grow and thrive in the spaces I help them secure. I take a lot of pride in ensuring my clients are placed in good buildings and making solid investments.”
Part of Sierra’s guidance extends to connecting her clients to resources as well. She’s a big fan of organizations like the North Dakota Women’s Business Center, Dakota Business Lending, and the Small Business Administration. She also has a strong knowledge of state loans and grants that are available.
“There are so many great programs available, but it’s important to tackle that foundational work before signing a commercial lease,” Sierra said. Doing the tough work upfront really sets your business up for success.”
Understanding Lease Types
- Triple Net Lease (NNN): In this structure, the tenant is responsible for all property expenses on top of a lower base rent. The advantage for tenants is that they have more control over the costs.
- Full-Service Lease (Gross Lease): Here, the landlord covers most expenses, resulting in a higher rent amount. The benefit for tenants is predictability in their costs.
The Right Fit
Sierra says she isn’t aiming to be the biggest real estate agent in town. Her goals focus on helping other people who are seeking to improve themselves, their business, and their community. “What I’m trying to find is a good fit, and I’ve been successful with that so far,” Sierra said. “I take pride in being ethical, moral, and having strong values. I want to do things the right way and work with people who also want to do good.”
“This market tends to be very relationship-based,” Sierra said. “It’s about building connections, especially when transactions can involve buying and selling multiple properties over several years. If you’re looking to make a big decision with commercial space, whether as a landlord or as a tenant, I would like to meet you and discuss how I can help you, and truly represent you, through the process.”
How Soon Should I Start Looking For A Space?
“I would recommend looking for commercial spaces three to six months before you need one. Sometimes when you lease commercial space, that space needs construction, which could take—depending on the extent—up to three months to get it ready for your business. On top of that, you’ll need time to negotiate the lease, create a business plan, talk to a banker, secure loans, and prepare for starting or growing your business.”
Contact Sierra Wendt
Office: 701-499-3949
Email: [email protected]
