Our Team
Local roots. Trusted expertise. Personalized service.
Meet Our Team
Rooted in Sanford and committed to the communities we serve, Smith Group Realty combines local knowledge, personalized service, and decades of real estate experience. Whether buying, selling, or relocating, our clients receive thoughtful guidance, attentive communication, and trusted expertise from the first conversation to closing.
Elizabeth Smith
Broker-in-Charge | Smith Group Realty
Bio
Elizabeth Smith brings a thoughtful, elevated approach to real estate in the Sandhills. A seventh-generation Sanford native, she graduated from Lee Senior High School before earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Meredith College. She began her career in sales with the leading environmental services company in North America, where she consistently ranked among the top performers and earned recognition for her results.
With a strong background in sales and a genuine passion for helping people, Elizabeth shifted her focus to real estate. She offers a blend of deep local knowledge, clear communication, and a level of service that puts her clients first. She uses modern tools and marketing strategies to connect buyers and sellers and make the process smooth and well supported.
Elizabeth had the honor of serving as the 2012 President of the Sanford Area Association of Realtors, providing steady leadership and support to fellow professionals. She also holds the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation and is certified as a Broker Price Opinion Resource, giving her added expertise to guide clients with confidence.
Elizabeth has been voted Best Real Estate Agent in Lee County for several consecutive years — 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 which is a direct reflection of her commitment to exceptional service and the trust of the community she proudly serves.
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Brenda Brown
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
Brenda would like to help you find your dream home in this wonderful community – a community where she and her husband were born and chose to remain and raise their family. Brenda has been in real estate for over 20 years and she can provide you with the highest degree of knowledge and professionalism.
Her goal is to make the process of home buying and selling as stress free and pleasurable as possible. Brenda is committed to working hard for you so your buying or selling process is enjoyable.
Sherri Garner-Diaz
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
Sherri Garner-Diaz is passionate about every aspect of homes, design, and real estate. You can hear it in her friendly voice, but mostly you can feel it in the way that she listens and cares.
“I want my clients to know I am totally committed to achieving their goals, whether they are first-time home buyers, ready for their forever home or to sell and starting a new adventure.”
“I listen very carefully and will draw on knowledge and experience to give my clients a feeling of total comfort. I want them to know that every detail of each transaction will be expertly handled.” “Communication, clarity, and knowing that I am with my clients through and after the process is my goal!”
Sherri also has known the challenges of picking up and moving when the military calls and is here to help with knowledge, prompt service and follow-up.
“When my husband was in the military, we lived in 10 homes in 25 years,” she says, “so I understand the stress of moving to a new town and having to make every large and small decision for your family, including finding the right home. I remember the stress, and if I can help, I feel like I need to!”
Sherri is also an accomplished home stager who is particular about all the “little details” that can make a big difference in the eyes of a buyer. She is always eager to work with home selling clients who need assistance in making their properties show as best as possible to potential buyers.
She is compassionate, dedicated, hands-on, empathetic, and competitive, and she’s “always going to put her clients first!”
Sherri and her family moved back to her hometown of Sanford when her husband retired after 24 years in the Army. She was a hairdresser for 15 years before they moved for her husband’s military career, and she’s back and ready to help her clients with years of experience in making all the important decisions for their families!
Looking to buy, sell or relocate? Call or text Sherri Garner-Diaz today.
Angie Hegwer
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
Thinking about buying or selling a home? As a lifelong Sanford resident and NC native, Angie can put her insider knowledge to work for you and help you select a home that best fits your family’s needs. She will also assist you by using the most up to date marketing tools to sell your home. As a detailed and task oriented person, you can feel secure knowing that she will genuinely listen to you, and work diligently for you at all times with integrity and sincerity.
Angie is a graduate of Lee County Senior High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. As a life long Sanford/Lee County resident, Angie has extensive knowledge of our local schools and community. Feel free to call or text (919) 356-6678 Angie to inquire about how she can help you with any real estate needs.
Bruce Kelly
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
Growing up in Sanford, Bruce has spent his whole life in tune with our local community. A graduate of our own Lee County High School, Bruce obtained an associate degree in arts and an associate degree in science from Central Carolina Community College before earning a bachelor of science in forest management from North Carolina State University. Since then he has worked in land and timber procurement, becoming a registered forester in 2023 and later a licensed real estate agent. With his experience in the timber industry he has honed the skills of negotiation and communication. He believes that the golden rule is paramount in business dealings to garner respect between both parties if success is ever to be achieved. Bruce looks forward to applying his skills and expertise to assist you in any and all of your real estate endeavors.
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Leslie Oldham
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
Leslie Oldham has lived in and served in the Lee County area for over 35 years. Leslie is dedicated to customer service and has earned multiple Quality Service awards during the 15 plus years as a Real Estate Agent. Dedicated to her craft, Leslie served the Sanford Area Association of Realtors as the Association Secretary in 2009 as well as various other committees.
Leslie has a love for education and has just recently received an Associate degree in Applied Science. Being an older student, Leslie encourages others to peruse their dreams regardless of their age stating, “We are never to old to realize our childhood dreams.”
Leslie enjoys Real Estate and says it gives her an opportunity to help others achieve their goals. When buying or selling a home the process can be complicated, so you need a Realtor familiar with the ever-changing world of Real Estate to guide you through the process. As a full-time Realtor Leslie will work hard to make that process easy. From contract to close, she never leaves your side.
Kristen Lind Rogers
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
As a third-generation Sanford native, Kristen Rogers has deep roots in this community and a lifelong appreciation for the people and neighborhoods that make it such a special place to call home. After graduating from Lee County High School, she earned a Biology degree from Meredith College and later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for a second degree in Dental Hygiene. After college, Kristen moved to Concord and later Charlotte, but her family—and her love for her hometown—ultimately brought her back to Sanford, where she knew she wanted to build both her life and career.
Real estate has always been a part of Kristen’s life. Her grandfather was a local developer whose work helped shape Sanford through projects including Buffalo Lake, Hawkins Run, Villanova, and other area developments. Her father is a general contractor, her brother is a builder and real estate owner, and her mother is a Realtor, real estate owner, and investor. Growing up surrounded by the industry gave Kristen a unique perspective and a passion for helping others achieve their real estate goals.
Since becoming licensed in 2014, Kristen has been committed to providing her buyers and sellers with exceptional service, honest communication, and a seamless transaction from start to finish. She believes every client deserves an advocate who listens, communicates clearly, and works tirelessly on their behalf. As a natural people person and problem solver, Kristen enjoys navigating challenges and finding solutions that keep transactions moving forward.
Whether you’re buying your first home, searching for your dream property, or preparing to sell, Kristen would be honored to guide you through the process. Her goal is to make your real estate experience as smooth, successful, and enjoyable as possible while helping you feel confident every step of the way.
Jason Pate
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
As a seasoned Real Estate Agent, Jason Pate has sold Millions in Real Estate over the years. He specializes in Residential Sales and continues to build his solid reputation and strong book of business in the Sanford, Cary, Fayetteville and Raleigh area. Jason has a true gift in his ability to work with others and has a great reputation of never meeting a stranger! Prior to working in Real Estate, Jason worked for the Lt. Governor, Walter Dalton during his tenure. Originally from Johnston County, Jason comes from a large family and prides himself on his family, good friends and his faith. Jason enjoys traveling and spending time with his companion, Jerry and dog, Bella.
Jennifer Oldham Williams
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
Born and raised in Sanford, Jennifer brings a deep knowledge and love for our area. She graduated from Lee County High School and attended Meredith College where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Interior Design.
After graduating from Meredith in 2008, Jennifer obtained her Real Estate Broker License. Prior to opening her interior design company, Jennifer Williams Design, in 2016, she worked in Real Estate for several years in the Southern Pines/Pinehurst area.
While wearing many hats as a small business owner, Jennifer has developed the ability to close business deals while maintaining great working relationships with her clients and other professionals in her industry. Jennifer’s ability to see the hidden potential in properties is an invaluable asset in the processes of both buying and selling real estate. She looks forward to using her unique skill set to provide her customers with superb service and seamless transactions.
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Lora S. Wright
Broker | Smith Group Realty
Bio
Lora S. Wright’s beloved buyers and sellers rely on her bold personality, tender heart, and spirited motivation to successfully navigate the complex real estate market. And she credits her rich history as a four-generation Sanford native as being key to her success at closing.
Lora knows North Carolina’s central Piedmont region like the back of her hand. After graduating from Lee County High School, she knew that there was no other place she could call home other than Sanford. She has seen the area’s rapid growth firsthand over her more than 45-year career striving to perfect the customer experience.
Most notably, Lora earned her broker’s license in 1990. One year later, she opened her own business—Southern Jewelers—in downtown Sanford. She continued helping Sanford residents find their dream homes for more than five years. However, following Southern Jewelers’ success, she made the difficult decision to focus primarily on Sanford’s growing jewelry needs.
Lora’s passion for real estate never dwindled despite her required focus on Southern Jewelers. In fact, she has maintained an active broker’s license over the more than 30 years since she first entered the real estate industry.
In her off time, Lora enjoys nothing more than spending time with her family. She is blessed to be surrounded by three children—two daughters and one son—and two granddaughters. She looks forward to their annual summer trips to the North Carolina coast each year.
Whether you are purchasing your first home or forever home, Lora won’t stop until you find your ultimate living space.
Reach out to her today to take another step toward one of your most important life goals.
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