Spotlight on Monica Schaefer – Avid Baker, Football Fan & Military PCS Specialist

“Life is dynamic and can take abrupt turns, so it is important to pivot and find the silver lining,” says Monica Schaefer. “After 23 years as a military spouse, stay-at-home mom, and part-time employee of MilitaryByOwner, I had life pretty well plotted out. I didn’t have a back-up plan but found myself needing one.”

With an unexpected life shift in front of her, Monica drew on her past experience of buying, selling, and managing her own properties. Her time working at First American Title and assisting families at MilitaryByOwner led her to realize it had all been leading to a career in real estate sales. 

“I have experience in all aspects of real estate, which affords me understanding and empathy for my clients,” says Monica, now in her fifth year as a licensed real estate agent on O‘ahu. Monica has closed 26 transactions for a total of $15 million in sales in that short time.

As a former military spouse, she understands the unique concerns of military families PCSing from one station to another. “I am passionate about helping military service members and families buy real estate here on Oahu. I believe there is a unique opportunity to utilize the Basic Allotment for Housing and the VA Loan benefit to create a long-term wealth strategy.” 

From Military Life to Hawaii Life

Though the military brought her to Hawaii, Monica says it’s definitely her heart that has kept her here. “From the moment I stepped foot on this island, I knew that it was different from the areas I have lived on the mainland. The aloha spirit is alive and well here. It infuses itself into you. It is beautiful to see a community care for one another and always lead with loving-kindness. Hawaii is known for its external beauty, but the real beauty lies within the people of these islands,” she says.

Monica now lives in Kailua, where she frequently helps clients navigate transitions in their lives. She says she’s grateful to be part of the intimate experience of finding a new home. “I’m so honored that my clients let me share in that experience,” she says. “My favorite aspect of my job is being invited to share one of the biggest moments in my clients’ lives – whether it is the excitement of purchasing a new home or assisting in selling their home so that they can move onto the next phase of their life.

“I love to get outside and enjoy the abundant beauty of Oahu,” says Monica, seen here on a Windward Oahu hike with her kids.

Football & Pastry

In her free time, Monica can often be found outdoors – hiking, swimming or at the beach. She keeps fit practicing yoga or attending spin classes, and she’s a huge football fan. “I’m a ride-or-die Dallas Cowboys fan, so fall is my absolute favorite season and watching games on my outdoor lanai brings me immense joy!” she says.

She’s also an avid baker who was studying in the culinary arts program at Stratford University in Virginia before new orders interrupted her lifelong desire to be a pastry chef. She loves the amazing ingredients here. Guava, lilikoi, mango, pineapple, local coffee and chocolate are all regular features of her baking.

Monica loves to combine her love of baking with her passion for helping families to find the perfect home for their needs.

Why Hawaii Life?

Monica was a fan of Hawaii Life on HGTV before landing in Hawaii. So when it came time to choose a brokerage, there was no question she wanted to join Hawaii Life because of its warm, welcoming culture, with a genuine aloha for Hawai’i, its people, the land, and our community.

“I was concerned about working in an office with a competitive atmosphere and it was obvious that Hawaii Life did not have that vibe. From the top-down, Hawaii Life is about embodying the spirit of these islands and recognizing that there is something greater than us as individuals,” says Monica.

“The idea of a company giving back as Hawaii Life does and the company interest in preserving the natural beauty and elements of Hawaii meant a lot to me,” she told us. “Again, what we do is bigger than just us and I loved the idea of being a part of the larger community as a representative of Hawaii Life.”

“We all have a duty and responsibility to represent Hawaii and local culture and that starts with generosity and kindness and extends out to those we have the privilege to work with,” says Monica, seen above volunteering at an AccesSurf event.

If you’d like to benefit from Monica’s two decades of experience in property management and real estate investment, as well as from her military relocation expertise, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Through quarantine this year, Monica has been baking sourdough and sewing masks to give away to friends and neighbors.