About / History
Perhaps you’ve seen real estate signs around Duluth, Superior, Cloquet or other areas at the Head of the Lakes that say F.I. Salter Company. Perhaps you’ve wondered, “Who is F.I. Salter?”
Born in Duluth on May 6, 1871, Frank Salter moved out of the area with his family before returning in 1887 as a student. When he was 25 years old, he worked as a bookkeeper for the Northern Banking Company in Duluth. Later, Frank acquired a new position as manager of R. M. Newport and Son, a mortgage loan firm on the third floor of the Lonsdale Building on Superior Street.
In 1899, Frank Salter organized and served as president of the F.I. Salter Company in the same third floor office of the Lonsdale Building where he had worked before. With Horton M. Blackmarr as his vice president and treasurer, the new company dealt in real estate, loans, rentals, and general insurance. The F.I. Salter Company joined the Duluth Real Estate Exchange when it organized in 1905. The members of this real estate organization incorporated under the name of the Duluth Board of Realtors in 1918, a time when the F.I. Salter Company handled some of the most important properties in Duluth.
Frank retired in 1921 due to health issues and turned ownership of his company to his longtime manager, Horton M. Blackmarr. In 1946, Blackmarr sold the business to John Hoff, Sr., succeeded by his son, John Hoff, Jr., and by his son, Sanford (Sandy) Hoff, who have all kept the business going strong in the Salter tradition.
Today, F.I. Salter serves as a full service real estate company, handling residential, commercial, recreational and industrial sales, property management, appraisals and real estate counseling.
Our Team
Sanford (Sandy) Hoff, Broker/Certified Real Property Appraiser
shoff@fisalter.com | 218-722-5556
Sandy has been in the business for 35 years. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table in property management, appraisals, consulting, sales and leasing, and property development. Sandy holds his Real Estate Brokers license with the State of Minnesota and is also licensed as a Certified General Real Property Appraiser. He has even testified as an expert witness in numerous Real Estate litigation cases.
Macey Solomon, REALTOR & Appraisal Assistant
msolomon@fisalter.com | O: 218-722-5556 C: 218-349-1822
Born and raised in Duluth, Macey became a real estate agent in 2016 and hasn't looked back. In 2017, she joined the F.I. Salter team as an Appraisal Assistant and has since branched out into sales and leasing, adding to her already diverse skill set.
Whether you are upgrading, downsizing, buying for the first time or looking for a new space for your business venture, she is committed to making your experience seamless. Outside of real estate, she enjoys road trips, spending time with her loved ones, and coffee.
Alex M. Bushey, Director of Development & Commercial Real Estate Agent
abushey@fisalter.com | O: 218-722-5556 C: 218-390-8024