Let's Talk FWB w/ Chrissy Hartley

In this episode of Keys to the Emerald Coast, we’re joined by Chrissy Hartley, Fort Walton Beach Area Director and a dedicated leader within our local real estate community.

Chrissy shares her perspective on the Fort Walton Beach market, the value of staying connected at the local level, and how involvement in the association helps elevate both agents and the industry as a whole. Her passion for service and leadership shines through as she talks about supporting REALTORS®, building relationships, and navigating today’s evolving market.

Tune in for a conversation full of insight, encouragement, and practical takeaways for anyone looking to grow and stay engaged along the Emerald Coast.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

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

SPEAKER_00 0:12

Welcome back, Ecar, to another episode of Keys to the Emerald Coast. I am Chad Nelson, Marketing Communications Director with Ecar. Joined by the eminent Maria Howell.

SPEAKER_02 0:23

Oh, that's the new word. Thank you, Chad. You're welcome.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

How are you today?

SPEAKER_02 0:27

I'm good. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 0:29

You can't see us, but we're we're kind of matching today. Yes. We didn't call, but green and black. The green and black. It works. We're also joined by our Fort Walton Beach area director, Chrissy Hurricane.

SPEAKER_01 0:42

Hi, hi. Welcome back. Thanks for having me again. I feel so loved.

SPEAKER_00 0:47

The keys to the Emerald Coast namesake.

SPEAKER_01 0:50

Namesake. That's right.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

Had her on before and figured, you know, we've got to have her back.

SPEAKER_01 0:55

And I'd love it. I'd love coming back to every time hanging out with you guys.

SPEAKER_00 0:59

Great. We're going to talk a little bit today just about uh I I think we're obviously continuing on with this series of bringing in all of our area directors, giving them a chance to really talk about their area, kind of some trends and what's going on. But remind all of our listeners just who you are, give a little background, all the fun stuff.

SPEAKER_01 1:18

I am the Fort Walton Beach Area Director, and I have been in the real estate industry since 2008 doing various things from office management to property management and then full-time residential sales. And then I'm fully involved in the community through eCar and other organizations, and I just love giving back to the community. And being the Fort One Beach director was one of those ways that I could really give back to our local realtors in our area. So I'm excited to be doing it every day.

SPEAKER_00 1:48

Love the heart and love, obviously, everything that you kind of bring to the table, and just a fantastic way to kind of showcase another side of the real estate. Again, like I said, I get it back. But um in in terms of the the Fort Walton Beach area, what are you kind of seeing as some trends? What are you seeing right now in the market? What what's going on?

SPEAKER_01 2:11

Personally, I'm experiencing a no lull whatsoever. Super busy, getting things listed. I'm actually going to be listing one as soon as I leave here. I had to stop it in order to come here. But you know, the the fastest moving things are under 300,000. They go very quickly. Days on markets are lower, anything above that when you're getting in the higher 350, 450, 500s, obviously a lot less capable buyers in in that uh market, but they are they're there and they just take a little longer to find a buyer. Um that's that's pretty common uh these days, but you do have such a large influx of military, and there's not even just a PCS season anymore. It is just year-long, you know, all year long we have got people coming and going, and the allure of the beach brings in people in addition to the military. So our market in Fort Walton is pretty steady, and at least on my end of things. And, you know, buyers for me are transactional. Um, I work with mostly uh listings and and sellers. Uh, and then when I do have one, it's it's transactional. They're selling something and needing to buy, and um, it keeps me pretty busy. So I don't see any, you know, no end in sight.

SPEAKER_02 3:31

Yeah, no end in sight.

SPEAKER_01 3:33

And you know, there's so many different factors that that play into things with insurance and and with the rates. That but you know, if there's buyers, there's going to always be buyers. And if they're not gonna buy right now, they're gonna rent. And that market is pretty strong in Fort Walton as well. And eventually they they will buy. So we've got a we've got a good, healthy market in Fort Walton. That's good. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:57

A lot going on, but keeping us all busy. That's a very good thing. Well, what are some we've got an amazing, I think we always talk about the lifestyle of of this area. Um but what would you say that you can put a finger on what's kind of unique what makes Fort Walton Beach area competitive? What makes it different than the other region?

SPEAKER_01 4:22

I mean, if you look at it geographically, Fort Walton is really the heart of the Emerald Coast. We've got all of the surrounding areas, but we've kind of got the best of everything. We have both the bases right here, so it's quick and easy for people to get to work. And then you have beaches on all sides of you. You can head over, you know, west to Navarre, you can head to Destin, even the Fort Walton beaches. They're all amazing. You kind of have to juggle the crowds, uh, but you know, we've got a lot of beach accesses down the island, and there's a lot of construction going on, which kind of deters some people, but it's also it's it's actually kind of fun to see the Brooks Bridge and and the changes there and what's happening and what it means for the future of Fort Walton and the accessibility and and traffic is a little is a little rough sometimes, but there's always that beautiful beach at the at the end of that long wait. But you know, I I would say it's you've got so many things to offer. You could get on a boat out of Shalimar and go sailing, or you could go on down to the beach. So you could just go right up into Niceville and eat at one of the marinas over there. You've got such quick access to everything being in in Fort Walton. Yeah, don't forget Crab Island. Yeah, Crab Island right over to Destin. And you can get to Crab Island by going to Destin, or you can get on a boat here and and just go right across, you know.

SPEAKER_00 5:51

Yeah, more often than not when I get on, we're usually getting on either in Navarre and going all the way over. You know, down the intercoastal stall.

SPEAKER_02 6:03

Yeah, and Oakland Island, I mean, I think Fort Walton's done a great job of the beach accesses, you know. It's like Oakland, I mean, there's seven, you know, distinct accesses that we can use, and plus the big one, you know, at the boardwalk and Beasley. Beasley is always a good one too. So I think that really helps. I know myself, I end up going you know, to Oakland's Island to the beach because Destin is so full, you know. So yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:26

And we have several boat launches. There's some little hidden ones that people don't even know about that you can uh launch your boat and just get out on the water. That's kind of what brings people here. Being the the very heavy military area, once they're here and they get sent away, they they never forget. And uh, that's where a lot of my customers come from. They they come right back and they want to retire here. And once you've come and you've seen the the emerald waters and you've sat on Crab Island, it's it there's nothing like it. And our beaches, there is nothing like it. So people coming back, finding jobs. We have a ton of civilian jobs. The hospitality industry is booming, and that's a lot of what it is. They they live in Fort Walton and they drive to Destin for work. So we we have a very healthy um market. We have uh healthy everything, and the industry is is amazing, and we have a lot to offer in our area.

SPEAKER_02 7:22

Yeah, and I love the downtown area too. You know, you've got Parlour Donuts and Burrito del Sol and you know, some restaurants. There's Jake and Henry's. It's a cute, you know, it's walkable too. Like you can um with that waterfront park, and it's always nice to kind of explore, you know, that area.

SPEAKER_01 7:38

Yeah, a lot of the little local places we've got G.I. Jade's, that's she's a realtor that that owns owns that restaurant. So a a lot of of things to offer. We've got new things coming in. We've got a new Smoothie King right down the road coming in. How exciting is that? Yeah, the first watch that's going in the old TGI Fridays. I know if you're local to Fort Walton and you've been driving by that building for the past three or four years, you're you're waiting for something to go in there and finally. Yeah. And the biggest addition about a year ago was the Academy. So, you know, I'm in there quite often with three little boys. So um, they they get all of my money lately. So I'm not sure if I like that edition or not.

SPEAKER_02 8:19

It's nostalgic for me because that was our headquarters for Resort Quest was there. Of course, that was the first Walmart too. That was the I do remember that as Resort Quest bought it as their headquarters. So, I mean, we housed laundry, marketing, everything there in Tewaki. And now as Academy, I'm like, oh my goodness. It's pretty cool though. It's it's nice to see, you know.

SPEAKER_01 8:40

Yeah, it's evolving, and we've got stuff coming in and going, and we've got some great coffee shops in the area. There, there is so much to that Fort Walton has to offer. You know, we could use a couple of more restaurants if anybody's out there wanting to open up another restaurant.

SPEAKER_02 8:55

Yeah, that's true, because you have like Alice Bistro, but then I noticed they're only open for dinner. I was like, 'cause I was looking for a lunch place. Um, but yeah.

SPEAKER_01 9:02

Yeah, and all the new Aldi's that have gone in. Everybody l loves Aldi's. So, you know, we've got two of those, three of those now, all over Fort Walton. The newest one just opened up in Uptown Station. The new Bath and Body Works opened just last month. And it's massive. And the peach cobbler factory. Yeah, uptown as well. And I think they put in a sketchers in the old party city. So a lot of a lot of things going on in in town.

SPEAKER_00 9:30

Well, like you said, I mean, it it's a testament to we complain a lot about construction or traffic, but it it's a testament to see well, there's things coming. And there's a a light at the end of the tunnel with with some of those things.

SPEAKER_02 9:44

And or repurposing, yeah, you know, like repurposing like the the older buildings or businesses.

SPEAKER_00 9:49

Fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 9:50

So it's when there's lots of jobs as as these businesses open, it's giving more job opportunities and and more growth. So you gotta look at the positive sides of things, look at the glass half full, not half empty. And you know, see all changes good. And and sometimes it's a hard process getting there, but it's great once it's finally done.

SPEAKER_02 10:11

And I cannot wait to see what the bridge is gonna do, you know, Brooks Bridge and how that's gonna just reroute all things.

SPEAKER_01 10:17

And the city's doing a great job of all of their different projects and projections of things happening in the around the mound and Liza Jackson, and we have a lot of parks everywhere. And you know, there are places that have public pools and and things like that in other areas. We don't necessarily have that. We have the the beach and swimming, and you know, there's there's a lot of things to do, recreation out there. Uh, we've got Fort Walton Beach Bowl. They're one of our huge supporters, you know, through e-car. That's a fun thing to do. Uh goof goofy golf is is another great business. And I think there is um the new business going in. There's another little, it's axe throwing and uh bowling and arcade. Where's that? Um, it's in the old Goodwill. I'm not sure of what the name is, but I know that's supposed to be opening up soon. And then Bongos actually is the old Fort Skate, and they have rebranded and renamed, and they have so much to offer. It's the it's the normal skating rink, and then they have a party complex that you can do birthday parties, and they have an arcade, and that's in the heart of Fort Walton, so you're not having to go out to to the island to the to that golf place. So lots of different things.

SPEAKER_00 11:33

Yeah, we we talked about it a little bit before, obviously. Um, but what what are some of the things? I'll let all of us kind of chime in since we know, but like what are some of the things that eCar is doing, especially in like you said, Fort Walton is kind of the the heart of what's going on. So we bring a lot of things in for for our membership. But what are some of those things? Let's touch on those.

SPEAKER_01 11:52

We've got a lot coming up in in actually April. Uh the YPN Field Day is coming up. That is April 18th. There is Chad and Shelby were on the board team last week. I definitely would be a spectator of that day. It was pretty interesting participating in that.

SPEAKER_00 12:12

It was.

SPEAKER_01 12:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:13

Coming up as an athlete. You don't have to be athletic.

SPEAKER_01 12:17

Extra ice um provided, you know, in the coolers for injuries, you know, on deck. Um, I know in a couple of days on the 7th, there's the first broker event of the year. And then obviously, uh, not in Fort Walton, it's in Crestview, but the the RPAC golf tournament is coming up. So I think you've got hours left to get a team in to if you want to join in on that. And then obviously, the best event of the year is the Building Homes for Heroes event bowling event. That's July 11th. We are sold out on the the bowling sponsorships in the lane, so that's awesome. So there's still some opportunities there to get involved, and then obviously attending the day of our e bar comes up in in October, and I know the barbecue uh tournament that is gonna be uh in I think September this year. That's hosted out in Niceville, but that is still an e-car hosted event and a nice fundraiser for elder services.

SPEAKER_00 13:16

So uh where's uh is global's oh yeah.

SPEAKER_02 13:20

So yeah, so global has the taste around the world at Shoreline. Um it is April 16th from three to five, I believe. And I know WCR also has an event with Cindy Hayden, who is our Florida World. I did see that she's treasurer now coming in, uh, doing an AI class. So sign up for that if anyone's interested.

SPEAKER_01 13:42

Yeah, there is a lot of ways to get involved in eCar, uh obviously from some physical things and then also some charitable things, and then classes. ECAR's got classes uh daily, and they're free to attend and the luncheon learns and so many opportunities to get informed about the local area, education. If you're driving by Hollywood and you see our office lately, there is cars in the parking lot every day now, and that's a testament to our new AE and and our great staff. We've got so much going on. We do, you know, not a vacant ghost town parking lot anymore, and it's awesome to see.

SPEAKER_00 14:21

Yeah, I think I just was before we got started making a post of about 19 classes, I think we have at least, um just in the month of April alone. Um we've got a a lot of the pro series for affiliates. A lot of those are coming up. We're doing some Monday. So there is a lot going on, and yeah.

SPEAKER_02 14:40

Uh yeah, we just had our superintendent of schools come and do that presentation Monday. That was great too.

SPEAKER_01 14:46

And that looked like a full house as well. You're out there rock, paper, scissors, trying to get a parking spot. So that's that's an awesome true, true, true.

SPEAKER_00 14:56

I I think uh Sabina came in and said there is one spot in the entire parking lot. So it's good. It's good that I mean people want to be informed, they want to know what's going on, and it just helps us do our job better and make this industry better. So it's it's fantastic.

SPEAKER_02 15:10

Yeah, don't forget about the big next month in May for Fort Walton is the Billy Bulllegs.

SPEAKER_01 15:16

Oh, yeah, that's middle of the month. And there is a lot of fun stuff from the the water events and activities and the the things down at the landing, and then they do their annual treasure hunt where people are all crawling all over town. I think one of the the prizes last year was at the Shalomar Little League Fields. Oh and my husband immediately obviously he's the the president of Shalomar Little League, and he read the description, he's like, that's our fields 100%. Um so there was people out there trying to to find that uh treasure that day. So yeah, a lot of fun. And Shalomar is included in the Fort Walton area. So although it's got its own, you know, name, it it is included in in the Fort Walton beach.

SPEAKER_00 16:01

Well, I think I mean, what's kind of your personal, what's your best advice for agents that are trying to be competitive in this market? I know we you know we we span all over this area, but we've always got buyers and sellers or renters or whatever it may be. What what's your best advice for agents out there that are kind of thinking that it might be a tough market? I I know I think a lot of our directors have come and said that it seems like it's a pretty balanced market right now or they're they're all very busy. But what what's just a word of advice that you would give to some of some of maybe the the new membership that we have looking to get involved in the area?

SPEAKER_01 16:36

Well, and and I think any job is tough, no matter if it's real estate. And you know, I would say know your facts and be authentic. You know, stop trying to do what everybody else is doing, find something that works for you and get good at it and be authentic when you're out there trying to get a listing or you're working with your buyers, know your facts, know your stats, and be authentic in its delivery, be transparent and you know, just get good at something and it'll just come naturally. You know, any job is hard, you got to work at it, and that's why e-car offering so much education and and being so informative uh about things, it is helpful if if you really dive in and you learn all of that. You know, you don't sit in a classroom to learn how to be a realtor, you get educated that way, but getting out in the field and learning your trade, that's how you learn to be a realtor. So that's that's just what I would say is stop watching TV or stop comparing yourself to everybody else. And you know, for me, I'm I'm local, born and raised. So that's helpful for me. And and that's where I am successful is because I know everybody and I'm out in the community daily, and people know me through my involvement in things. So that that's a way. Get involved, and it just it just happens, you know, it'll fall right in your lap. Yeah, the networking.

SPEAKER_00 17:56

Yeah, get out there, get involved, make your name known. It's not about a gimmick, about creating those relationships.

SPEAKER_02 18:01

Yeah, be you, don't be somebody else. I love I love that you said that. It's true. Like be yourself because they know if you're not exactly well.

SPEAKER_00 18:07

Christy, thanks so much for joining us. Thanks for coming in. I we'll let you get back to your your listing. We appreciate you taking the time and taking a little pause, and we want to let you get back to that. But thanks so much just for your heart and your ability to serve on the board as an area director and and everything that you're doing. So we really appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 18:28

Well, I appreciate being here and the opportunity. Thank you guys. It's awesome.

SPEAKER_00 18:32

Well, as always, uh members, anybody that's listening in, uh, we want to hear from you. Uh, we say this probably every time, but um, reach out. We are looking, Marie and I are talking every day, just kind of about you know what what do we need to offer next, what do we need to bring in, who do we need to bring in. Um, but we want to hear from you. We want to know what you want to hear and and what is important to you. So please reach out, find us, uh, give us the call, shoot us an email, shoot us a text. Um next time. Talk to you soon.

SPEAKER_02 19:01

Bye bye.