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Everyone knows there are challenges to being a military family. But, no one really understands those challenges except another military family. Mike and Stacy Souci are real estate brokers with Coldwell Banker Bain with a special passion for helping active military and veterans buy homes because they have first-hand experience living that life.

Mike and Stacy Souci
Mike and Stacy Souci are passionate realtors with a special connection to the military. Photo credit: Mike Souci

Mike was active duty in the Army for 13 years. During that time, he and Stacy moved around a lot, including time at Fort Benning, Georgia. While there, Stacy was a property manager which got her thinking about real estate careers and in 2009, she became a Realtor. When Mike got out of the Army in 2011, he spent several years as a Department of Defense private contractor before deciding to join Stacy in the real estate business in 2016.

“We’ve been landlords and property owners for many years and I always loved what Stacy did. I learned from her over the years,” Mike says. “We decided to be a team and while I may be a newer Realtor, I have so much knowledge I’ve learned from Stacy over the past 10 years.”

As property managers and landlords in the past, they have a unique ability to help home owners deciding between renting or selling their current home. “A lot of people are on the fence about selling or renting out until the market gets better,” says Mike. “I am there to explain how property management works, what it’s like to be a landlord and the pros and cons of each. It’s nice to lay it out so they can make an informed decision.”

A Passion for Service Members

This real estate power couple has a passion for military families and empathizes with their challenges. They draw on their own experience when buying their first home.

Mike and Stacy Souci
The couple’s main goal is to educate their clients and make the process as easy as possible by going above what is expected of a Realtor. Photo credit: Mike Souci

“When Stacy and I got together, we bought a house,” Mike reflects. “We were young and no one really explained to me the process to use my VA benefits and loan. We knew it was there and we had a loan officer do it for us, but we really had to learn as we were going along. As a result, our whole goal is to work with soldiers and their families, especially here in Thurston County, and make sure that they understand their benefits. We are with them every step of the way to make it easier.”

There are a lot of resources out there to help military families, but sometimes people don’t know where to look. “The military doesn’t train us for this kind of thing,” Mike says. “They don’t offer education on how to use our benefits.” Mike says helping with the loan process is not usually a Realtor’s job, but he and his wife go the extra mile to help families that have given so much through their service.

Mike Souci, Realtor
A realtor pin with Mike’s combat infantry badge, which he received for being deployed overseas. He says this picture represents his “brand” as a realtor – “from combat to corporate with a goal of giving back.” Photo credit: Mike Souci

“It’s nice for veterans and active duty to be represented by someone who has been in their shoes,” he says. “And, whose spouse has been a military wife.” Being a military spouse comes with its own challenges, especially when it comes to home buying.

Sometimes, spouses select and buy a house on their own while their partner is deployed. “We also get people that are buying locally while they are still stationed overseas,” Mike adds. “They are basically buying a house sight unseen. At that point, they really have to trust us.” It’s not uncommon for Stacy or Mike to FaceTime with a client as they tour a potential home, trying to give them a sense of the space.

Knowing the Right Partners

new home inspection
Dwayne Boggs, owner of Boggs Inspection Services, has been inspecting homes throughout the South Sound for over 13 years.

With ten years under her belt, Stacy knows who she can trust to take care of her clients, especially during the important pre-purchase inspection. “Dwayne Boggs at Boggs Inspection Services completed our inspection when we first purchased our home in 2006,” says Stacy. “This was before I went into the business. He was referred to us by another broker and we were very impressed with Dwayne. When we started our business here in the Olympia area, we decided to continue to utilize their services and have been very impressed with everyone at Boggs.”

Stacy isn’t the only one willing to FaceTime with her clients. She says Keith Bowman, also a veteran and an inspector for Boggs Inspection Services, completed an inspection for a family stationed overseas together on FaceTime. When they decided the house was too much work, Keith inspected another home for them, again on FaceTime. “This is what I have come to expect with Boggs, which is why they complete all of my inspections,” Stacy says.

Mike and Stacy Souci
This flag, made by Mike, represents a combat flag that is still waving. It’s going to Aaron Borden from AJB Landscaping. Photo credit: Mike Souci

The feeling is mutual. “Stacy is very professional and compassionate about making sure her clients are taken care of,” says Dwayne Boggs, owner of Boggs Inspection Services. “Even if the buyer is worried about something small, that others may think doesn’t matter, she is diligent and asks us to check it out.”  Dwayne also shares Boggs’ passion for supporting the military. He has several veterans and ex-military members working for him and loves that the Soucis work so hard to help them achieve home ownership.

Mike and Stacy are proud to use their careers as a way to say thank you to those who serve. Whether you are military or not, this caring couple will make sure the house you buy is the home of your dreams. To see their listings, visit the Coldwell Banker Bain website. Learn more about Dwayne and his experienced team of home inspectors online at Boggs Inspection Services website.

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