About The Key Agency
The Key Agency is the Premier Real Estate Company in Auburn and Opelika.
Everything We Do in Real Estate Starts with Understanding Our Clients.
The process of buying and selling can create a range of emotions. During this life-altering time, we guide our clients through the process of buying or selling with professionalism and trust. The key to our success is a highly ethical approach to the real estate business and concern for the complete satisfaction of customers and clients.
The Key Agency Believes in:
Why work with The Key Agency?
Our talented team of real estate agents holds the keys to your next stage in life, and we’ll do everything we can to help you unlock the door and step inside.
Our Story
In the Summer of 2020, with 22 years of brokerage experience under her belt and following a pandemic, Stacey Sanders decided it was time to open a new real estate shop. She has listened, learned, failed and succeeded over the years. And yes, she brings all of that to the table every day, plus a set of keys.
The beginning of The Key Agency started in 1995 when a young girl named Stacey Sanders from Troy, Michigan found her way to the “loveliest Village on the Plains.” Having grown up in the north her entire life Stacey had no idea what true “Southern” living was all about. The story goes like this: After graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in journalism and business, Stacey made her way to Washington, DC and worked with an international trade lobbying firm. She always had a passion for reading, writing, research and politics. After a couple of years in DC and a small stint backpacking around Costa Rica for five months, she landed in Huntsville, Alabama where her mom lived. A relationship led her to Auburn where she ended up taking a job in banking (yes, a big change.)
Stacey soon learned in “small-town” Alabama everyone really does know your name. They like to talk to you about everything going on in your world, they really care what you have to say and life does move slower. She quickly adapted to this new pace of life and jumped ALL IN. Transitioning her focus from banking admin work, Stacey found her passion in commercial real estate which led her to real estate brokerage management. She served as the President of the Lee County Association of Realtors in 2006 and President of the Alabama Association of Realtors in 2019 where she received the Lee County Association of Realtors, Realtor of the Year Award in 2007 and 2015 and 2020.
In the summer of 2020, with 22 years of brokerage experience under her belt and following a pandemic Stacey Sanders decided it was time to open a new real estate shop.
Another interesting factor came into play during the pandemic. In real estate, we have “acted” like we can do everything remotely and operate in a “virtual” world for quite some time. The truth is many REALTORs were not ready when forced into that environment. Well, Stacey and her team were. At The Key Real Estate, we are set up to assist every client, however, is most convenient and comfortable for them – from a complete online and virtual experience, to hand-signed documents and every combination in between. This includes platforms that protect their confidentiality and security of funds. We are here to help our clients move through their real estate transactions as seamlessly as possible.
Stacey believes in living to honor her Lord and her family. She believes in working smarter, not harder while working hard and playing hard. She loves what she does and can is passionate about the real estate industry and professionalism. Her true excitement comes from helping real estate agents build their businesses. Beyond all that, her true love is her husband Shane and four boys Charlie, Seth, Slade and Caleb.
The Key Agency prides itself on its highly ethical approach to the real estate business and its concern for the complete satisfaction of all its customers and clients. It’s not just about getting a property listed or sold – it’s about all the big and small details that are involved throughout the whole process. We expect all who are associated with our company to reflect our ideals, provide stellar customer service, exemplify the epitome of professionalism and ambitions, to have fun and to support their team members, fellow REALTORs and our great community.
The Key Agency Team
Stacey Sanders is an Auburn area veteran with a mission of guiding clients through successful real estate decisions using market expertise, proactiveness, attention to detail and genuine relationship building. Her inspiration for starting The Key Agency in the summer of 2020 was to coach, encourage and motivate exceptional real estate agents so they can guide buyers and sellers through the crazy real estate world while building lasting and memorable relationships.
334-319-2249
Stacey Sanders is an Auburn-area veteran with a mission for guiding clients through successful real estate decisions using market expertise, proactiveness, attention to detail and genuine relationship building. Her inspiration for starting The Key Agency in the Summer of 2020 was to coach, encourage and motivate exceptional real estate agents so they can lead buyers and sellers through the crazy real estate world while building lasting and memorable relationships. Before real estate, Stacey worked with an international trade lobbyist in Washington, D.C., was a mortgage originator and bank officer, worked with a commercial developer in Auburn then moved into mainly residential real estate in 2000 serving as a qualifying broker for the past 22 years.
Stacey served as the Alabama Association of Realtors President in 2019 and the Lee County Association of Realtors (LCAR) President in 2006.
She is most proud and honored to have received the Alabama Association of Realtors 2002 Realtor of the Year award, the Realtor of the Year from LCAR in 2007, 2015 and 2020, as well as the distinguished Jack M Dunlop Service Award in 2019.
She is extremely involved in the Auburn community serving in organizations such as Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Hope, The Exceptional Foundation and the BPPAC (Ball Players Playing Against Cancer).
Stacey is a graduate of the 2004 AAR Leadership class and the Lee County Leadership class of 1997. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and is originally from Troy, Michigan. Yes, real estate is a love and passion but her true happiness is time with her husband Shane enjoying living life with their four sons Charlie, Seth, Caleb and Slade.
Prior To becoming a REALTOR, JC worked for Automotive Manufacturing Suppliers for 10+ years. Her experience in Supply Chain, Logistics, and Production Control have made her an expert at problem solving and multi-tasking to make sure everything gets accomplished as easy as possible.
706-315-9963
Prior To becoming a REALTOR, JC worked for Automotive Manufacturing Suppliers for 10+ years. Her experience in Supply Chain, Logistics, and Production Control have made her an expert at problem solving and multi-tasking to make sure everything gets accomplished as easy as possible. Buying/Selling your first home or 10th investment property is still the biggest Investment you’re going to make in your life and she welcomes the opportunity to turn that experience into one of the easiest as well. Her promise to you is to listen specifically to your wants and needs and help you meet them. Every family is unique just like every home and she’d love to be your match maker.
JC and her husband have lived in Auburn for 15 years and have 2 AUsome little fur babies. They love to play golf, go fishing, and on the weekends, they head to the drag strip to watch her husband set off a few win lights on the track.
Martha and her husband, Gregg, have lived in Auburn/Opelika for almost 50 years. She became a realtor 20 years ago after retiring from a 31-year career in public education. She worked as a teacher/counselor in Opelika and Auburn City Schools. She has degrees from UAB and Post-Graduate work at Auburn University.
601-323-1148
Martha and her husband, Gregg, have lived in Auburn/Opelika for almost 50 years. She became a Realtor 20 years ago after retring from a 31 year career in public education. Martha worked as a teacher/counselr in Opelika and Auburn City Schools. She has degrees from UAB and post-graduate work at Auburn University. She understands the importance of families’ decisions to move as it relates to the schools for their children. She is also aware of the difficulties seniors face when making the hard decisions that come with retirement, relocating to be near family, down-sizing or up-sizing.
Memberships:
- National Association of Realtors
- Alabama Association of Realtors
- Lee County Association of Realtors
- Auburn United Methodist Church
- Master Gardner Class of 2010
- Lee County Retired Educators
- Past member Auburn Beautification Committee
Realtor Designations:
- Associate Broker
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES*)
- Certified Client Protection Expert
Community Volunteer Organizations:
- Village Friends (VFW**)
- Past President, BOD, Village Friends Village Values
- Past Volunteer with AUMC Homebound Food Pantry
*SRES is a real estate designation requiring a two-day training course. This course provides insight into what is important to seniors. Individual preferences, lifestyles, how to best communicate and market to them. Motivations, lifestyles, hopes, and fears are all part of understanding this market. Seniors’ biggest fear is making a mistake that they will not be able to correct, as most of their financial assets are in their home equity.
**VFW is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting seniors in Auburn/Opelika so they can maintain a quality of life IN THEIR HOME at a low price per year thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers. This progressive non-profit is dedicated to helping A/O seniors “age in place”. The cost of hourly home care assistance is tremendous. Village Friends is part of a national network of approximately 350 Village-to-Village groups across the country. VFW was the first Village in Alabama and currently only one of two in the state. This concept is truly revolutionary and began in the Beacon Hill area in Boston several years ago. As Baby Boomers become less independent this is the best solution.
Mike Glisson is originally from Columbus, Georgia and came to Auburn University in the 80's. After years of living away from the Auburn area, Mike returned in 2006 to the loveliest village on the plains. Mike is married to his wonderful wife Susan and they have a blended family with four children Kendall, Mackenzie, Tanner, Garrison and one grandchild Wade. Mike is new to the real estate scene; he has been a teacher and coach for 32 years and still is teaching and coaching as well as working real estate.
706-681-8498
Mike Glisson is originally from Columbus, Georgia and came to Auburn University in the 80’s. After years of living away from the Auburn area, Mike returned in 2006 to the loveliest village on the plains. Mike is married to his wonderful wife Susan and they have a blended family with four children Kendall, Mackenzie, Tanner, Garrison and one grandchild Wade. Mike is new to the real estate scene; he has been a teacher and coach for 32 years and still is teaching and coaching as well as working real estate. Mike has gotten into real estate as a second career when he retires from teaching and coaching. He really enjoys working with his customers and prides himself on excellent customer service. Mike limits the number of customers he works with at one time so he can give the attention that each customer needs and deserves. Mike enjoys the real estate business because helping people is a very rewarding experience and very satisfying as well. Mike is very new to the business but has sold his first two listings in less than a month and is looking to help more customers attain their real estate goals. Mike enjoys all sports and outdoor activities. He gets the most joy out of spending time with his wife, children and grandchild. Mike graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Marketing and went back to school to be licensed to teach Business Education, Physical Education, Health, and Driver’s education at the high school level in the states of Georgia and Alabama. Please give Mike a call for all of your real estate needs as he would love to earn your business.
Kendall Holderfield is a driven young professional that strives for success while putting clients’ needs at the top of the list. He prides himself on creating connections with clients and getting to the root of what their needs are. Communication is very important in a real estate transaction. It can be the difference between getting your dream home or it being sold to someone else and Kendall understands that.
601-323-1148
Kendall Holderfield is a driven young professional that strives for success while putting clients’ needs at the top of the list. He prides himself on creating connections with clients and getting to the root of what their needs are. Communication is very important in a real estate transaction. It can be the difference between getting your dream home or it being sold to someone else and Kendall understands that. They buying or selling of your home doesn’t have to be a stressful process. Kendall enjoys making real estate fun and exciting, because after all it should be one of the most exciting times of your life. Selling your home can be a very sentimental time, because you’ve created such great memories during your time there. Kendall has a young family in a home they purchased a few years ago, and understands how you can be attached to a home in such a short time. It’s important to have a realtor that understands your emotions during the selling process as well as being knowledgeable of the steps needed to sell your home.
Kendall is driven by the love for his Wife and young child. He has many passions which you’re sure to hear about as he helps you through your real estate goals!
Debi is originally from Indiana. She moved from Knoxville to Auburn in 2011 with her husband, Jeff and their six children. Debi has been in the restaurant business for almost 30 years. She started out serving, then moved on to management. This is where she shined.
334-332-3543
Debi is originally from indiana. She moved from Knoxville to Auburn in 2011 with her husband, Jeff, and their six children. Debi has been in the restaurant business for almost 30 years. She start out serving, then moved on to management. This is where she shined. She loves offering guidance to people. Debi also takes care of her 75-year-old mother-in-law on a daily basis. This is something she really enjoys. She never got that opportunity with her own parents, as they passed while she was in her twenties. She considers it an honor. Debi enjoys spending time with her husband. One of her favorite things to do is try new restaurants. Her favorite place to eat is Beyond the Wok in Auburn. Debi also has a grandson, Jaxton. She flies to Wisconsin once a year to spend a week with him. She longs for the day that her son and his little family move to Auburn also. Debi loves the real estate world and is very passionate about helping others in this exciting phase of their life. She is ready to put you in your new home or help you sell your current one.
Bernice Jackson has recently launched a new career in real estate. She has a passionate interest in helping people. With ‘HGTV House Hunters’ being her favorite tv show, she has always been fascinated with real estate. Her goal is to foster meaningful relationships with customers, clients and other real estate professionals. She believes it takes a team to understand and navigate the real estate market and she is committed to helping people through the process.
334-703-0399
Bernice Jackson has recently launched a new career in real estate. She has a passionate interest in helping people. With ‘HGTV House Hunters’ being her favorite tv show, she has always been fascinated with real estate. Her goal is to foster meaningful relationships with customers, clients and other real estate professionals. She believes it takes a team to understand and navigate the real estate market and she is committed to helping people through the process.
Bernice comes from having over 20 years of professional experience in banking from AuburnBank as a Banking Officer. In her role, she gained expertise in finance, money management and customer relations-all transferable skills she adopted from banking.
Bernice graduated from Tuskegee University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics and received a banking diploma from the University of South Alabama. She serves as a Notary Public. She takes pride in volunteering in her community and enjoys seeking sponsorship and event activities for her local high school. She has served on the board of The Family Enrichment Center of Loachapoka, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and East Alabama Food BankCommunity Market. Bernice enjoys spending time with family. Her hobbies include gardening, interior decorating and attending sports events.
Mission
The Key Agency’s mission is to guide our clients through successful real estate decisions using our market expertise, proactiveness, attention to detail and genuine relationship building. We offer our buyers and sellers a clear pathway through each and every real estate transaction providing the guidance to buy and sell with confidence. We do all of this by providing an environment that attracts and supports quality real estate professionals and assists them in being productive and profitable. We believe in a company culture devoted to serving others and a commitment and responsibility to providing the highest standards of performance, trust and customer service.
Vision
We welcome all buyers and sellers in the Auburn-Opelika area and those moving to the community. We strive to support them through an intentional and professional real estate experience.
Careers
Interested in joining The Key Agency team? We’re seeking talented and experienced real estate agents with a proven history of professionalism, performance and commitment to client needs. Click here to get in touch.