Olympic Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to welcome Denise Steigers to our team! While Denise is new to our brokerage, she is certainly not new to real estate—her career in the industry spans more than four decades and touches nearly every corner of the field.
Denise’s journey began in 1982, when she discovered her love for real estate while working at a savings and loan company. “I had a passion for mortgage banking and slowly worked my way up until I eventually became branch manager of Countrywide Home Loans,” she recalls. Her career took her through lending, banking, and management roles, but life shifted when she married her husband, a career Navy serviceman. Together, they lived abroad in Korea and Germany, adopted their son from Russia, and eventually settled in Olympia in 2013.
That move home was the spark for a new path. “Our realtor brought us a book about careers in real estate, and that planted the seed,” Denise says. “I realized how much I missed working and decided to jump to this side of the industry.” She became a licensed agent in February 2014 and hasn’t looked back.
Denise loves the South Sound’s variety of neighborhoods, each with its own personality. She affectionately calls her own Summerwood neighborhood “rurban” for its unique mix of rural charm and community feel, nestled along the Chehalis Western Trail. “It’s one big, long cul-de-sac, and I love that sense of connection,” she says. She also admires Lake Forest for its beautiful trees, Wilderness for its charm and character, and Campus Meadows for its walking trails and parks.
Outside of real estate, Denise enjoys spending time with family, reading a wide range of books—from historical novels to thrillers—and catching up on TV and movies. Lately, much of her reading has been focused on professional growth. “I’m currently studying for my managing broker’s license,” she shares. “It’s not my usual leisure reading, but I’m really enjoying diving into those textbooks!”
When it comes to hidden gems, Denise lights up talking about local parks. “I love Burfoot Park—the trails there are gorgeous, and they lead right to the water. We even did my son’s senior pictures there,” she says. “Millersylvania is another favorite, with miles of trails and so much natural beauty.”
For Denise, real estate is all about helping people. “With buyers, I love helping them achieve their dream of homeownership and guiding them through a process that can feel overwhelming,” she explains. “With sellers, I enjoy helping them get their homes ready so they can get the best value. I always want to be a resource my clients can rely on.”
Her passion for service extends beyond real estate as well. Denise is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Olympia and serves on the board of Senior Services for South Sound, where she has been involved for six years. “I love their mission and the work they do in our community,” she says. In the past, she has also volunteered as an advisor for local Key Clubs, supporting students across area high schools.
With her extensive background in lending, construction, and real estate, paired with her heart for service, Denise brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine dedication to helping others. “My motto is home is where you make it, because I believe there’s never a perfect home—but you can make anywhere a home,” she says. “And I love being able to help people do just that.”
Olympic SIR 
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