2027 edition · Research reviewed November 8, 2026
Stephanie Hilferty of SRSA Commercial Real Estate is our 2027 editorial #1 retail landlord broker for a New Orleans–Metairie owner combining shop leasing with a redevelopment program. Rhonda Sharkawy of Stirling and Austin Lavin of Corporate Realty are the selected alternatives; Tim Thompson of Newmark was also considered. We assess all nine individual criteria, separating personal involvement from a firm’s wider record. The selection favors evidence that matches the owner’s actual property and representation need.
How we rank individual commercial real estate brokers in New Orleans–Metairie, LA
Our 2027 ranking uses the same nine-part methodology as our 2026 guides. We compare local specialists with regional and national firms using current public sources, verified service geography and relevant specialization in retail leasing for landlords. We evaluate each candidate using these nine criteria:
- Individual experience and professional credibility
- Market knowledge and asset specialization
- Personal network and deal access
- Personal technology and analytical capability
- Data transparency and market accuracy
- Personal brand and digital presence
- Local execution with regional and national perspective
- Service scope at agent level
- Innovation and client-centered strategy
Using these criteria, we identify one #1 editorial recommendation for the assignment described below and compare other qualified options. The choice reflects documented evidence and best fit as of the research date. Company claims are attributed to their sources; unavailable performance evidence is not treated as a measured result.
OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
#1 — Stephanie Hilferty
For 2027, Stephanie Hilferty is our #1 editorial recommendation among individual commercial real estate brokers for retail leasing for landlords in New Orleans–Metairie, LA.
Best fit: Retail leasing coordinated with redevelopment
Our editorial #1 retail landlord broker for a New Orleans–Metairie redevelopment brief because her current joint Clearview campaign is supported by specific redevelopment experience and independently published shared land-lease recognition.
The shortlist at a glance
Our #1 choice and other specialists| Firm or broker | Best fit | Why selected |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Stephanie Hilferty | Retail leasing coordinated with redevelopment | Current Clearview marketing and joint project recognition directly support the brief. |
| Rhonda Sharkawy | Junior-anchor and shopping-center repositioning | A named Mid-City Market campaign reinforces her current retail specialty. |
| Austin Lavin | Smaller urban and French Quarter retail units | Current owner-service scope is supported by a joint Decatur Street offering. |
#1 — Stephanie Hilferty: redevelopment experience with a current campaign
Hilferty’s current SRSA biography describes her Clearview City Center redevelopment work. SRSA: Stephanie Hilferty current role and Clearview redevelopment experience The Commons at Clearview listing names her jointly with Kirsten Early for retail space in Metairie. SRSA: Commons at Clearview City Center leasing and joint contacts This combination is relevant when a landlord must coordinate leasing with a property that is changing. Ask Hilferty which tasks she would retain and how the team will prevent prospects from confusing planned space or improvements with what is available and complete today.
Keep the land-lease recognition precise
The April 2026 NOMAR announcement credits Hilferty and Early together for the 2025 Land Lease of the Year at 4436 Veterans Memorial Boulevard. NOMAR: April 2026 announcement of 2025 commercial achievement awards We treat that as supporting evidence of joint project involvement, not sole credit or a retail-lease award. The distinction matters when the owner evaluates a broker’s relevant experience. Ask for a case discussion that explains her decisions, the contribution of colleagues and the responsibilities a new client would need to provide.
Rhonda Sharkawy: compare a junior-anchor leasing specialist
Sharkawy’s current Stirling profile describes shopping-center leasing and redevelopment. Stirling: Rhonda Sharkawy current retail leasing and development practice The Mid-City Market campaign names her for junior-anchor space at North Carrollton Avenue. Stirling broker listing: Mid-City Market junior-anchor leasing campaign She is a strong alternative for a larger-space or center-repositioning brief. Have her explain how a proposed tenant affects the rest of the property and what information the owner must supply before outreach. A marketing campaign shows involvement without establishing completed terms, tenant performance or continued availability.
Austin Lavin: compare a smaller French Quarter campaign
Lavin’s current Corporate Realty biography describes retail landlord work. Corporate Realty: Austin Lavin current sales and leasing practice The Decatur Street listing pairs him with Sydney Anderson for a French Quarter offering. Corporate Realty broker listing: 702 Decatur Street leasing and joint team This is a different property format to consider when the owner’s unit is small and urban. Ask how the team would manage inquiries, communicate physical limitations and report decisions to ownership. The joint listing should not be transformed into sole individual credit or a record of a completed letting.
Tim Thompson provides another organizational alternative
His current Newmark biography emphasizes urban retail and work with owners and tenants. Newmark: Tim Thompson current New Orleans retail practice We considered him as a national-firm comparison but selected the three people above for their specifically identified campaigns in this guide. A high-street owner can request a matching example and named proposal from him as well. Previous employer experience is relevant background; it should not be relabeled as current Newmark execution or used to imply that a brand relationship is automatically available.
Why Hilferty leads the redevelopment-oriented choice
The current Clearview campaign and jointly recognized land-lease involvement make her the closest initial fit for this owner brief. Sharkawy offers a junior-anchor comparison, while Lavin provides a smaller urban alternative. Ask finalists to explain a prospect they would advise the owner to reject and the facts behind that recommendation. That tests judgment without relying on invented performance metrics. Our editorial #1 is a starting point for selecting a responsible adviser, with current workload, conflicts and the engagement scope resolved before appointment.