Coldwell Banker Bain Agents Mike and Stacy Souci Help Service Members Come Home

The challenges faced by military families when they try do something “normal,” like purchasing a home, can be hard to understand by those who have not gone through it themselves. That’s what makes husband-wife realtor team Mike and Stacy Souci with Coldwell Banker Bain so special. They have first-hand experience living the military life and are passionate about helping other families navigate the unique hurdles they face.

Mike and Stacy Souci
Mike and Stacy are passionate about making sure each client is treated with respect and dignity. Photo courtesy: Mike and Stacy Souci

While Mike was active duty in the Army for 13 years, he and Stacy moved around a lot. While stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, Stacy was a property manager. That 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,” 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.”

The duo find their experience as property managers and landlords helpful when home owners aren’t sure whether to sell or rent out their houses. “People wonder if they should sell, or rent 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.”

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 courtesy: Mike and Stacy Souci

Easing the Burden for Service Members

“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 and make sure that they understand their benefits. We are with them every step of the way to make it easier.”

Because of their own experiences, the Soucis really empathize with military families and want to ease their burden as much as possible.

It’s not that there are not resources out there for military families. In fact, Mike says there are plenty. But, he adds that often the families don’t know how to find them or use them. “The military doesn’t offer education on how to use our benefits,” Mike shares. He adds that 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 says the families appreciate being represented by a couple who have been in their shoes – one in active duty, the other the spouse of someone in the military. “Being a military spouse comes with its own challenges, especially when it comes to home buying,” Mike explains. Sometimes, spouses select and buy a house on their own while their partner is deployed.

Mike and Stacy Souci
Mike and Stacy lived the military life for 13 years, so they understand the challenges families face.
Photo courtesy: Mike and Stacy Souci

“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 and to make them feel more confident about making a deal on a home virtually sight unseen.

Having the Right Partners Makes a Difference

A Realtor’s job depends on a lot of people. With a decade of real estate behind her, Stacy knows who she can trust to take care of her clients, especially during the important pre-purchase inspection. “This can be hard for our clients, since often one or both of them are not available for the inspection,” Mike explains.

That’s why Stacy and Mike trust Boggs Inspection Services every time.

“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.”

Just like the Soucis, the Boggs team is willing to go the extra mile for the clients. She says Keith Bowman, 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
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 courtesy: Mike and Stacy 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 the Soucis’ 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 Souci think of their work as a way of saying “thank you” to those who serve. Every one of their clients – whether military or not – is treated with respect and care through the entire purchase. Their biggest goal is to make it easy to get 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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