Let's Talk Navarre w/ Nick Brown

In this episode of Keys to the Emerald Coast, we sit down with Nick Brown—Navarre Area Director, Professional Development Committee Chair, and Managing Broker with Coldwell Banker in Niceville and Navarre.

Nick wears a lot of hats, and in this conversation, he brings insight from every one of them. We dive into what’s happening in the Navarre market, the importance of professional development in today’s real estate landscape, and how strong leadership shapes both agents and associations.

Whether you’re a seasoned REALTOR® or just getting started, Nick shares practical perspective, leadership wisdom, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stay sharp and serve well in a competitive market.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to Keys to the Emerald Coast, the official podcast of the Emerald Coast Association of World Tours. Each episode we unlock market insights, advocacy updates, and member stories to help you thrive one key at a time.

SPEAKER_02 0:12

Welcome back, Ecar. Thanks for joining us for another episode of Keys to the Emerald Coast. I am Chad Nelson, Marketing Communications Director with ECar, joined by the amazing Maria Howell, as always.

SPEAKER_01 0:24

Hello, Chad.

SPEAKER_02 0:25

How are you?

SPEAKER_01 0:25

Good.

SPEAKER_02 0:26

Good. Joined joined uh uh also in studio with our Navarre area director, Nick Brown.

SPEAKER_00 0:32

Well, hello, hello, Chad and Nick in the house. How are you doing?

SPEAKER_02 0:36

Good, good, doing fantastic. Thanks for joining us.

SPEAKER_00 0:38

You're welcome. How about you? Very good. Uh as you're probably aware, you can see a lot of things picking up in different parts of the market. So it's very good. I'd like you to see that for our sellers and our buyers.

SPEAKER_02 0:48

Well, I mean, we're continuing to bring in our area directors where they can, you know, give a chance to to talk about their areas, talk about our you know, overall area, the market, all that kind of stuff. But uh, I know we've had you in before, but let's remind our listeners just about who you are, a little background.

SPEAKER_00 1:06

Sure. So I am a um broker with Cobalt Banker Realty. I'm a managing broker for the Navarre and the Niceville office. Uh I'm also the chair of the 2026 Professional Development Committee with ECAR. I also serve on the MLS committee um and I'm on the board of directors, as you mentioned, uh, as the director of Navarre. Um Navarre, this whole area for me, I've only been in the area like five years, but it's just absolutely stunning to me. And coming from the DMV, it's the acronym that they use for DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Um the the pace of life is so much better here. You know, a handshake actually means something again, you know, the opening a door up for someone or you know, getting their groceries for them. It's I don't know if it's just because we're kind of tucked away in the panhandle and we're not part of the other part of the state, but I I just I love it here. So as I mentioned, I've been here about five years and I took on a new position um out in the Navarre area. So I was fortunate enough to be elected as the Navarre board uh area director. So just like a lot of people that might be PCSing or agents new in the area, I'm learning a lot more about the Navarre area from my right hand, Miss Shelby Baker, and the officer. Yes, Shelby's a wealth of knowledge.

SPEAKER_02 2:13

She is. Very much so. I I know that. Yes, we do. You do. Oh, that's great. We appreciate it. Um obviously, living in Navarre myself, it's uh it's nice to kind of have you and have a little bit of insight. I think uh Marie and I talked and joked a little while about um we're having all of our area directors in, and there's all these talks about locations and restaurants. And I'm like, I have no idea what you're talking about. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I appreciate you being here because I actually know. You know about SAR.

SPEAKER_01 2:42

Yeah, you can help teach me some things.

SPEAKER_02 2:44

I highly doubt that. Oh yeah. Um, especially in this industry. I I I might know a few restaurants here and there and and know that I can go to the beach, but yes, as you know, we're also kind of homebodies and we work non-stop.

SPEAKER_00 2:57

So that you do.

SPEAKER_02 2:58

It's it's one of those things.

SPEAKER_00 3:00

It absolutely is.

SPEAKER_02 3:01

What what's what do you see? What's happening in the Navarre market? What are some trends? What's going on there?

SPEAKER_00 3:08

Well, I I know you know this, but a lot of our listeners may not that Navarre is kind of a complex market. It's made up of like three different markets. So you've got the residential market, the new construction market, and the beach market. And what we're seeing year over year, there's more of a stability. It's stable. We haven't seen a significant amount of growth. Um, buyers are having a little bit more to choose from, which I always have believed that uh uh a balanced market is better for everybody. I think it maintains the appreciation of values, it also helps with affordability, um, and and you know, we're able to marry the right house to the right buyer. But pricing is really by far the thing that's having the biggest impact on the market in the area. I think if things are priced right, um they move well, you know, but it's it's a variety. I had one agent uh just close on a short sale. I know those two curse words. Oh shorts, yeah. We shouldn't say those curse words. Um, you know, it took her about three or four months to get it closed. And then in the same office, same price, well, a little bit of a different price point, actually in a higher price point. Another agent was in a multiple offer cash deal. So it was over seven digits. So it's kind of to answer your question, it's it's good and strong, I think. Stable.

SPEAKER_02 4:15

Yeah, it's interesting. I I think um obviously being in a house with a realtor and getting to live that life every day. I I I understand wholeheartedly on you know it's some sometimes it's the right house for the right person and it goes like that. And then sometimes you wonder why it sits forever. But um I I I hear and both of you maybe can speak into this, like that pool homes right now tend to go pretty fast. Is that even in in the Navarre area?

SPEAKER_00 4:44

Yeah, I I think um overall, you know, it's almost become a staple.

SPEAKER_02 4:48

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 4:49

Like, you know, you gotta have a pool. You're in Florida, you know. Uh I know in the DMV area I mentioned that wasn't normal. Uh it's considered really like a significant upgrade or a hindrance. Sometimes, like, I don't want the maintenance of a pool. Um, but you know, I've seen here it's it's pretty common. But just like in other parts of the market that I'm getting familiar with, and of course Maria can speak to this too, it's it's concerns about roofing and wind mitigation and four points and uh you know making sure that homes are available. I know personally I just went through um a program that's called interest rate reduction program with the VA. So I'm a veteran and I used my VA and I lowered my rate. And my insurance for my house dropped $2,000 a year. I I was I was shocked. I've been hearing the prices are lower. And it's coming down. So I think that's more of a concern um for a lot of people from an affordability standpoint, as it is prices are escalating, but then you have to consider is your property in a homeowners association? What are your dues like there? What is my insurance going to be like? So I think that that's across the board. But you know, the same kind of struggles. Uh the one thing I will say about the variety of home buyers and sellers in the Navarre market is they they seem to be experienced. I don't see as many first-time home buyers over there as another part of the market. It might be because of um the PCS as we're going into PCS season now, maybe that.

SPEAKER_02 6:04

But I I I know I kind of always hear Navarre is that um you know bedroom community. We don't necessarily have the infrastructure and the the commerce that you know, the Fort Walton and Destin and Pensacola kind of stuck in the middle where it's really there's just a lot of houses, there's a lot of homes, um, there is a lot of variety. Um I guess what else do you feel makes that Navarre market kind of unique, uh different, competitive?

SPEAKER_00 6:36

This is gonna sound a little cliche, but the people are real. You know, you don't have the same sense of speed, I don't think, if that makes any sense. You know, you're coming if you're going to an event um at the Fall Fun Festival that Ascension holds every year uh in Navarre in October. Those kinds of things, you know, that makes a difference. I think every area is got its, it's you just have more of a community feel in Navarre. And I think um myself living in Panama City Beach and then working up in Niceville as well, and then coming over into Navarre, each area is wonderful, each area's got its own unique qualities. But I will say that in Navarre you have that feeling. Uh I mentioned you guys earlier, I was just at a local shop getting my tattoos updated, and the people walking in, it's hi, how are you doing? Let me get the door for you. Yeah, it was really refreshing to see that. So I would say that that um that as you mentioned, you don't have the significant um commercial development, although it's growing, you know, especially growing um from Mariester into you know, maybe the the uh western part almost to Gulf Breefs, you start to see a a good amount, but I think they're going at a good pace. You know, I don't see it, you know, a pace that's gonna outweigh because like you said, there's a lot of houses there.

SPEAKER_01 7:45

So yeah, I agree with you because you see the the rapid pace in like Milton, you know, and pace areas. Yeah, pace. Yeah. But yeah, it's not, it doesn't seem that that way in Navarre. But yeah, I mean, I'm you know, I grew up in Mariester and to see that. Yeah, and so we would go to Navarre to the beach, and there wasn't anything back then. I remember my mom had some, I think she bought some land on the Alibada Sea from, you know, probably um Pullham. Yeah, it was Pullum, you know, back then. But yeah, it's just amazing to see the growth. And for a long time, Navarre kind of sat stagnant in a way because of the whole liquor license and the you know, all of that with the city with the county. And when that was finally opened up, that is what brought the business in. And so you're able to have all these, you know, restaurants um in there now where it wasn't that way before.

SPEAKER_02 8:33

That that has been surprising. Uh, I I think living there for a couple years now. You really I always looked at Navarre as it was Juana's.

SPEAKER_01 8:42

Yeah, right, yeah. What else am I gonna go to? The pier, right? The beach right here.

SPEAKER_02 8:52

Yeah, and had all the volleyball teams. I know. Unfortunately, the doctor told me I gotta stop playing volleyball. But um, yeah, I mean it but now, I mean, there there really is. I think we people i I think everywhere you go, people are gonna say, Well, we wish we had more. We always want more restaurants. But when you really start, I mean, when you put the pen to paper, it's like, wow, we really do have a lot in the internet.

SPEAKER_01 9:16

It's grown so much in the Aldi now, and you guys have I mean the the new Walmart. I call it the Small Mart, but I guess their neighborhood markets they started updating. You have a Starbucks now? Like, I mean, it's wow, Buffalo Wild Wings.

SPEAKER_02 9:32

Buffalo Wild Wings, fat boys just open back up. Yeah, that's right.

SPEAKER_00 9:36

Not back up, but one of the things that I love about it, I I'm a big believer in uh supporting small businesses, you know. I think that that's key. Uh, don't get me wrong, those those businesses you talked about, those anchor stores are really important for them to get the small places like Deb's, right? Um Deb's coffee is fantastic. And you know, um, Deb's bass sushi.

SPEAKER_02 9:58

Tell you one place that it is a diamond in the rough is Dawn's. Yes. Oh, where's that at? I don't know if it's Cookie Cafe or Dawn's Cafe, but it's it's right in that little shopping, like yellowish kind of area, um, right next to Smoothie King. Um, it is the app facility and they just expanded, so they took over two areas. Yeah. Um fantastic food. They make all of their own bakery baking goods, but it is it's fantastic.

SPEAKER_00 10:28

I will tell you the absolute best pastry ever to cross these Greek lips came from the Navarre Bakery.

SPEAKER_02 10:35

Okay. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:36

My counterpart, my partner in crime, Shelby Baker, took me there and I was like, oh, Shelby, don't ever breathe. That's at Dawn's? No, that's at the Navarre Bakery. Navar baker, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 10:42

So where's Navarre Bakery? Is that the one that's in its own standalone building? Okay, because I I think Danny Bell, um, was it the descentorum was telling us about this place? It used to be a Chinese restaurant. I did the restaurant. That was a Chinese restaurant bakery. And so now it's a bakery. Okay, I'm gonna have to try both.

SPEAKER_00 10:58

It's funny because one of the things, uh, as I mentioned, being newer to Navarre that um Shelby has come up with for me, I think it's a great idea, is we're calling it where and around where around town is Nick Brown? Yeah. So our first stop, as far as as I'm getting to know Navarre better, was the Navarre Bakery. And I was like, I don't really want to go anywhere else. I'm happy right here.

SPEAKER_01 11:16

Yeah, let me just stay here. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 11:17

Um lots of little diamonds in the rough. Yes, which is different. I I I appreciate that because I'm the same way. I yes, the staples are fantastic, and yeah, you know, it will bring people to the area, but those mom and pop shops, yeah, you know, brewery that's yeah, the brewery they got the um the Bella Luna, you know, Italians really.

SPEAKER_00 11:36

I think a lot of people are probably gonna think that I've fallen and bumped in my head when I say this, but living in Panama City Beach and going down 98 through Destin all the time, I was really surprised how fluid traffic was during the season last year in Navarre. Now that was my first season in Navarre, but it didn't seem to be yes, of course you had you know some slowdowns here or there, but nothing like going through Destin, nothing like going through Sand Destin and in the other end of the 98. Um, so the traffic control and the structure there, it it seems to be a great. I probably just jinxed everybody for this season, so I'm sorry about that.

SPEAKER_02 12:08

Jason's gonna give us a text message.

SPEAKER_01 12:11

Yes, yes, I know, because you know we talked about the crest view traffic, and he's like, Well, you know, not down there, Navarre's got it too. Well, Jason, I know he'll be texting when he hears this.

SPEAKER_02 12:23

Exactly. Well, what are some opportunities? What are some things locally that are going on? Uh, you know, what's what's happening, not only, I guess, maybe in the real estate market, but you know, what's going on in town that you're on the on the pulse of?

SPEAKER_00 12:38

Well, I will tell you, um, there's so much stuff that happens uh across the town, but the the chamber of commerce really is the focal point. Um, there is so much to be done there with, as I mentioned earlier, the the Fall Fun Festival um that happens. We are organizing um our first ever shredded adopt a thon event. So we're gonna team up with some local charities and they're gonna be coming over by the office with bunnies and dogs and cats to adopt. And the community wants to come by and drop off um some documents that they need securely shredded, uh, they can drop it off there, and any donation after that would be uh, you know, anything they want to offer after two boxes would be great. Um, we also have um a couple of uh social events that will be happening soon. Um we're we're working on doing um Navarre Night Out, so we're gonna just organize a group of people. It doesn't have to be realtors, it doesn't have to be anything, just just come on and let's go you know see a movie or let's go to a comedy club or something, just just kind of get together as a group. So yeah, there's lots of lots of fun things happening. Do they still have their tunes on the dunes?

SPEAKER_01 13:38

I think that was always yeah, fun. I think it's like every Thursday night, maybe. Is it every yeah?

SPEAKER_00 13:45

I thought it was every other, maybe it is every Thursday.

SPEAKER_01 13:47

Yeah, but I think it's just for like the summer. Oh, yeah, the summer, whatever it is, I think is yeah, that that's all that was always fun.

SPEAKER_02 13:54

Yeah, it's a it's a great time. Uh there's something, like you said, magical about this area. But I I I mean I may be biased, but there is definitely something magical about Navarre and the ability to take a deep breath. I I think from the the hectic schedules and whether you're gonna go walk the pier or go sit on the beach. There, yeah, there's there's something magical about the area.

SPEAKER_00 14:14

So sometimes I will go down and go the opposite direction and I'll go across the bridge and go into Navarre Beach and then into Pensacola Beach and just kind of ride.

SPEAKER_01 14:22

The most beautiful drive. It's done. Oh my god, we did it Saturday. Beautiful. I just it just takes my breath away every time.

SPEAKER_00 14:30

Yeah, and it's like a slower pace, and it's weird because you would think it with the high-end inventory that's out there sometimes, you know, as I mentioned earlier, it does sit a little longer because of its price point. But uh, and then you get into the Navarre Beach and then you get in to Pensacola Beach, it's just it's nice to see um people, you know, I've walked walking different different lifestyles, walking dogs and swimming, and it's just a slow a lower pace.

SPEAKER_02 14:52

Well, how how can members how can e-car members really plug into the market, plug into uh you know community and network? I know you mentioned a couple things going on, but what are some um kind of upcoming initiatives um that you know our members don't want to miss out on?

SPEAKER_00 15:07

Well, first and foremost, the uh the e-car property tour. Um that happens on the last Thursday of every month, and it it meets at the chamber at 8:30. Um Shelby uh Baker, I know I mentioned her quite a bit, but she's one of um the tour directors in that area. So uh getting inventory, that's really key. Learning the inventory that's in the area, um, understanding the different uh responsibilities that um each uh listing agent might have in a certain uh neighborhood or or or or area um and getting involved with the community. I mentioned it before, and I I got a specific example that I can I want to share how it ties into your business growth. So we uh a lot of us in this industry love to give back to the community because let's be honest, without them, we wouldn't have a job, right? Um so I the Navarre community is pretty unique in that um especially the chamber. So we have an agent uh in the Navarre office, Michelle Franson, who is deep into everything Navarre, whether it's Santa Rosa County, whether it's um getting involved in the chamber, and that's resulted directly in her success uh business opportunities. Going into it without that mindset, right? I want to go in and help, but it's a nice added benefit for our members to know that I'm in the community. You know, Chad's gonna see me on the street and hey, there's that Nick Brown guy. He did this for the community. My cousin needs to sell a house, and I want to call him. So I know Michelle, um, fairly new UR to the business, um, jumped all over it. And, you know, she was for her efforts, uh, President Alley recognized her at the members' meeting in January for an award for Navarre. So uh I think that she's a classic example of that. Get involved, participate in the tour, participate in the the chamber and the activities that are there, and give back.

SPEAKER_02 16:45

Yeah, yeah. That that referral business that we always hear about is so important. It's not so much about, you know, where are your business cards at? Yeah, but it's yeah, who have you helped along the way, how have they seen you? Um relationships.

SPEAKER_01 16:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 16:59

And again, it might not start that way. Like you said, it's about it's about just being connected and doing the right thing. But yeah, if it's going to help along the way, there's no reason to shy away.

SPEAKER_00 17:09

The feeling of it, you know, I mentioned um Michelle, uh, she organizes our events committee then of our office, but um during the government shutdown last November, obviously we have a plethora of government employees, right? Outside of just our active duty military. Um, we were doing a food drive for those that were affected by that. Um, and this woman called the office, she had been disenfranchised by her ex, and just it was a sad story. And Michelle, if she hears this, is probably gonna punch me for telling the story, but it just touched my heart because it was a holiday season. She took the woman to Win Dixie and bought her groceries. And you know, I didn't know about that. She wasn't gonna come tell me, like, look what I did until another agent told me about it. Wow. Yeah, it's that those kinds of mindsets of helping people. And again, you know, that's one of the things I know. Maria's heard me say this a million times, but that's what's special about eCar and the membership that's here, having been a member of several other associations, they're great people, don't get me wrong, but nothing like this group. And you know, I think Navarre has the heart heartbeat of it.

SPEAKER_01 18:07

Yeah. Sorry, Jason. That's why we that's why we formed, you know, our foundation, right? For us to be able to do more and also for our members to be able to contribute more um and help more and have it, you know, be a tax benefit as well. Um, with their money and their time. And and we must not forget we have classes in Navarre too. We do. So if you want to take a class, we do offer them in Navarre. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:33

Uh and you know, I am your representative. So if you're in Navarre and you have a question, swing by the office, call me. Um, I'm happy to help. Uh we all believe those of us that serve, and I'm sure President Howell can speak to that too, that we do this for you. This is your association, our association. So, you know, I'm on there to to do what's best for you guys. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 18:52

I mean, I know we're talking Navarre, but it also we've got the PD chair in the room. I I I I want to thank you for keeping me extremely busy this year. Yeah, a lot of classes. There is a lot of classes going on. So there are tons of flyers if you if you need to get involved, whether it's you know, continued education or I know, I mean, I think is it tomorrow or actually today? I know there's new WinMet. Yes, uh Monday, right?

SPEAKER_01 19:19

Yeah, we're doing Monday with um from the home inspector's perspective and then from the insurance perspective. So I did sign up for that myself just to be informed. But yeah, I mean, we also have Nick and I and Shelby, we have our broker forum. Yes, and all of the broker maybe please.

SPEAKER_00 19:36

If you're you hear this and you're not actively a participant with e-car, we need you. We need you to come in there because it affects all of our industry. So thank you, Maria, for organizing this. It means a lot as a manager to be able to reach out. You know a face now, you have a situation, uh, you can reach out and call and and and help out with that. And I gotta give you huge props, my friend, because getting the word out for what you guys have done through the communication department has become so much more seamless. Uh, our attendance is up. Um, our amazing Paula Cook shared with me at our last meeting that the attendance is up across the board, and I think a lot of that's in part of the message that gets out.

SPEAKER_01 20:09

So yeah, that's great. And for the brokers, if you aren't able to make it on the 7th, we do have another one planned in May at Santa Rosa Beach. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 20:19

So well, I as we kind of wrap up here, want to give you just a chance maybe to give you know one piece of advice for agents that are maybe looking to break into the Navarre market, um, you know, maybe new to this industry as a whole. What's what's something that you can give them, a little tidbit of of how that can, you know, help them?

SPEAKER_00 20:39

Number one, get in front of as many people as possible, right? And be authentic. People can resonate, people resonate to that and they can smell, you know what, a mile away. So be you. Know your business and be prepared to deliver excellence, and you'll be successful. And again, you know, I I don't want to keep harping on Michelle, but I just I see her as an example. You know, there's so many of them. Sarah Craig with Hugh is another example of that, and an absolutely amazing human who's having great success with business. So it's across the board. But I that would be my suggestion. I love it.

SPEAKER_02 21:10

Well, you heard it here first.

SPEAKER_00 21:12

Thank you, guys.

SPEAKER_02 21:13

Yeah, thanks so much for joining us. Thanks for taking the time. I know you're a busy man, so we we appreciate you taking some time out to just talk with us.

SPEAKER_00 21:19

My pleasure. Thank you very much. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 21:21

Well, uh, thanks so much for joining us again. Uh, we thank you so much for uh for getting another opportunity to kind of step in and and be the voice of Ecar. Um again, just like just like Nick said, we want to hear from you if there's something that we can bring in front of you, um, in front of your ears, I guess, at this point. Uh, we want to be able to do that. This is this is for you, this podcast is for you. So please tune in. Um, give us an opportunity to do that. So we thank you so much for joining us, and until next time, we'll talk to you soon.

SPEAKER_01 21:51

Bye bye.