Lets Talk North Walton w/ Brandy Brown

In this episode, we sit down with North Walton Area Director Brandy Brown to hear her story -- both personally and professionally -- and what led her into leadership within ECAR. Brandy shares a grounded perspective of what’s really happening in North Walton, from the biggest opportunities for growth to what makes this area stand apart from the rest of the county. 

We dive into how she stays connected to what people love and the community she lives in.  We also talk about what buyers and sellers should know before stepping into the market, and the conversations she believes we should be having. Brandy also shares her heart for the community and what she’d love to see people rally around moving forward. 

Plus, stick around for a fun rapid-fire round where we get her take on local favorites, hidden gems, and a few quick personal picks.

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_04 0:12

Welcome back, Ecar. So glad you got to join us again. Thanks for joining us in another episode of Keys to the Emerald Coast. I am Chad Nelson, Marketing Communications Director with Ecar, and joined by the ever-exceptional Maria Howell.

SPEAKER_02 0:27

Thank you, Chad.

SPEAKER_04 0:27

How are you today?

SPEAKER_02 0:28

Good.

SPEAKER_04 0:29

We talk about this all the time. Like we talk about the weather, we we talk about something I and I know our listeners don't understand necessarily that we pre-record most of these and they go out a few weeks later sometimes. Um, but it is gorgeous weather today. Yes. It's you know April 15th, but it is fantastic.

SPEAKER_02 0:49

So I'm yeah, I've gone to the beach twice so far this season.

SPEAKER_04 0:53

All right. I'm jealous already.

SPEAKER_02 0:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 0:55

Only gone once. I'm gonna try to go this weekend maybe.

SPEAKER_02 0:57

And the water's been beautiful. Have you seen the color? Oh gorgeous.

SPEAKER_04 1:02

Need to get out to crab. We keep talking about Crab Island on this podcast. We need to I need to get out there.

SPEAKER_02 1:07

It's your little tiki. Go ahead. Go hide.

SPEAKER_04 1:10

We'll bring the kids on one of the sides and we'll have some fun.

SPEAKER_02 1:13

I gotta play tourist.

SPEAKER_04 1:15

It's good. Well, we we're kind of wrapping up this time that we've had with all of our area directors, and I think we're rounding out with one of our favorites, Brandy Brown, North Walton area director. So thanks for joining us today.

SPEAKER_00 1:29

Thank you so much for having me.

SPEAKER_04 1:31

Yeah, it's awesome. You've been here before, know the whole, you know, what we do. Having Scott around, and he's always yelling at us and telling us we got to speed up. Keeping things interesting. Yeah, we're having some fun. But um, yeah, just want to give you an opportunity to kind of talk about and highlight obviously your area. Um, but for those who are you know coming back to us or listening in maybe for the first time, give them a little introduction just about yourself, let them know your story.

SPEAKER_00 1:59

Thank you for having me here again. I absolutely look forward to doing this with you. Uh I started real estate when I was 20 years old. I fell in love early and knew that that's everything that I wanted to do with my life. I knew then that I wanted to own my own brokerage. And so it started early. Uh, by my 26th birthday, I had opened up my brokerage, Southern Choice Properties. I was looking to be a part of something and couldn't quite find it at that time. So I decided uh to take a chance and create it. And 20 years later, from my beginning, 15 years uh from starting my brokerage this month, I have been able to do that. I am now I am married. I am a mom of the two greatest blessings in my life, uh, a broker of a phenomenal team. And it just was a natural transition to head into e-car leadership. Uh, I was blessed to be a part of the leadership development program in 2020, and Maria was actually my chair, and I am now uh we talked about this before, but I am now the LDP chair myself, which is where it sets my soul on fire. I absolutely love it. I saw a gap in North Walton, and it's just the opportunity to step up and create a break.

SPEAKER_04 3:21

We we appreciate you joining us back and just getting a chance to to talk to you. But um what do you think? I mean, we'll we'll kind of dive into just the area, I guess, in general. What's what's the market like in North Walton? What are some kind of topics or highlights that that you'd like to talk about?

SPEAKER_00 3:37

Okay, so North Walton, just for our listeners, that covers Freeport, which is one of the fastest growing uh areas in the entire state, all the way to the state line, which includes Defuniac Springs and Paxton, Gaskin. So it is a larger portion of area, and it is vastly different from Freeport to the state line. Uh Freeport, there's a lot of new construction that's really the focus for that area. And then Defuniac Springs, we have the historic area, uh, district, downtown, and uh up to the state line, we have rural properties and farms. So it's it's vastly different beginning to end. So we are staying busy, but it's not a one size fit all. So some homes that we see hit the market and it's it's taken 90 to a 120 days. Um, but then there's other homes that are still hitting the market and it's multiple offers. And so it's just really dependent upon what the property is and how it is marketed and how it is priced, you know, really leaning into the debt. Yeah, no, I make that.

SPEAKER_04 4:45

And I think we've talked about that a little bit. It almost seems that way with with all of our areas kind of a across the the e-car umbrella that it's what people want. It's price. There's all there's no one-stop shopper or one thing that's really kind of setting the the buying or selling trends right now.

SPEAKER_02 5:03

But I think at Defuniac, what is helping them is people want to get away from the crowds, you know. And I think you're getting a lot of buyers that are on 30A that are coming up to Dafuniac and and purchasing, you know, homes there or even you know, land. Okay. Like I just closed on one 17 acres with a you know older home on it. But I and those are going quick because we've been looking for her for a while. And but yeah, it's beautiful. The rolling land there, it's it's really pretty if you haven't had a chance to to go Chad.

SPEAKER_04 5:33

I know I know. It's always I don't get out much, and everybody kind of knows that.

SPEAKER_02 5:38

So it's fun.

SPEAKER_04 5:39

Yeah, I need to go. We were just talking before we got started that I I haven't been to Define yet, so I need to go.

SPEAKER_02 5:44

You have to go. That that like that downtown is so cute in this the the um lake. Yeah, and yes, you have to bring the second you start to talk about rolling hills.

SPEAKER_04 5:54

Uh I'm told because I yeah, I I spent a uh about six years, seven years in northeast Georgia, where it was you know very just rolling hills, a lot of chicken farms, country. It was uh that's home to me.

SPEAKER_00 6:08

So we have all of the above. Yes, yeah, but uh even more than that, we have one of the only two uh God-made natural, perfectly round lakes in the entire world. There's one here, and then the other one I believe is in Africa. And so it is uh surrounded by our historic homes, and it's just a beautiful area. Like if you come at Christmas time, we have the Christmas reflections, and people come from all over to be able to experience this. So it's it's definitely a special place. I am biased because I do live there. I do live there. It does have my heart, it's where I'm raising my family. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_04 6:52

Okay, well, you we we talked about kind of a little bit what makes it unique and and different, um, I guess, from most of the other areas, uh, again, in that kind of e-car umbrella of maybe a little bit quieter, away from the crowds, away from the people. Um I guess how do how do you in in particular really stay connected with kind of that that thumbprint or on the on the pulse of what's going on in the community in order to bring that to the board of what you're a member of, um uh in order for our members to understand really, you know, what's important when looking at at North Walton.

SPEAKER_00 7:31

So for several years, I was actually the chairwoman of the De Puniac Springs City Limits Planning Board, and I'm no longer that because I stepped out of that to step further into eCar. Uh but being able to stay connected to those those people and understand what's coming, paying attention to the uh Board of Commissioners meetings, the uh all of that that's going on, it's very transparent and just staying connected to the people around us. You know, we are a smaller town, we are close knit, and so we get to see and have those conversations uh almost daily on what we see coming in and what is needed and what's wanted, and you know, just uh having a piece in guiding that. Yeah. Oh, that's cool.

SPEAKER_04 8:22

Well, I I got you you started to talk about it a little. What are some maybe some big opportunities or things that are on maybe the verge of coming? Uh what are some things that people are talking about?

SPEAKER_00 8:34

So a hot topic right now is actually a uh private right racetra that's coming to our area.

SPEAKER_03 8:41

Yeah, okay.

SPEAKER_00 8:42

Yeah, that's that's a hot topic. Lots of mixed feelings about that. Um, but beyond that, you know, we have a new bank that's coming being built on 331, just north of my office. There was a commercial strip mall that was just finished that we're starting to see businesses show up there. So it's everybody's interested in seeing who's going to be filling those spaces. Um we just opened our uh emergency room, our smaller uh hospital, which has been great. Um Sefco's just changed over to KC's. I know it's all changing. I know changing.

SPEAKER_04 9:20

I'm a big fan.

SPEAKER_02 9:20

I'm not gonna like Sefco, but where was I going by yesterday? I was like, oh, they're changing that to KC's too. Yeah, all of them. I guess they're all right in our area. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 9:30

So um, and then uh on a smaller scale, you know, small businesses coming in like Bouncing Birdie, uh, who is actually a small golf uh mini golf or putt-putt type place, along with uh bouncy houses can as a family come and uh join in there and have a space. And that's really that's one of the things that everybody is asking for is more entertainment family type spaces. And so seeing that come and hope that that is the first of many, because you know, there's the great thing of hey, we've got the best of best uh of both worlds. We get to enjoy the quiet community and go go visit where everybody else is coming from across the country to see, and then we get to go home. Yeah. But at the same time, when it comes to movie theaters or skating rinks or bowling alleys, we have to travel. So I would love to see the opportunity be taken where small businesses are coming there. But I know a piece of that is the population growing, you know, things like that, housing uh being available and we're seeing it happen. Uh, some people are happy about it, some people are not. Some people want it to say exactly how it's been. You know, but we are we are growing.

SPEAKER_02 10:49

I think that's what the mayors talked about, you know, during that panel was yeah, like, you know, there's some of that not in my backyard situation. Right. You know, and then there's others who are like, yeah, they want the growth they want, like in Freeport, the new super Walmart, you know, or when's a target gonna come? Publix.

SPEAKER_00 11:05

Publix, yeah, public is such a topic, yeah, has been for years, you know, always rumors, but you know, that's yeah, we're hoping. I will say we have Aldi's opening up where the wind where the wind dixies was. So everybody's really excited about that changeover. It was hard to see Win Dixie close and things like that, but you know, turnaround having that opportunity to have something exciting as well.

SPEAKER_04 11:31

Yeah, it's I I I think of all the land we I feel at least living in Navarre, there's just not a lot left. There so we we talked uh I know previously about a lot of older buildings being changed over, a lot of these kind of things, but it seems like there may be more growth opportunities in your area because there is still land that's available to be established and cleared, and it's just a matter of are people willing to give that land up or sell that land.

SPEAKER_02 12:03

Um Yeah, I think I think we're seeing that the downtown area. I think there's what that building that's for sale now. And so I think there's still growth. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:12

So the the Phoenix Springs Hotel, which is in our historic district, it has recently come up for sale along with a restaurant that is attached to that whole that corner space. And so is that um what what restaurant is that? Is that uh caffeinole?

SPEAKER_02 12:31

Yeah, caffeine old.

SPEAKER_00 12:33

That's that is now available, I believe, as of last week. So it's very fresh to the market. But that you know it's interesting to see what's gonna be the next chapter for that.

SPEAKER_02 12:48

Yeah, supposedly there's haunted rooms there. Yes.

SPEAKER_04 12:52

That made me want to buy it, I think. Makes me not want to stay there.

SPEAKER_00 12:58

So my husband would love to do the whole go ghost tour. I will sell you tickets. So we we have the foundation of the history and the charm in the community. Yeah, and so now it's just creating the day-to-day, you know, event event spaces and entertainment and um things to be able to do there. Now I will say Main Street has been phenomenal in being a part of re revitalizing our downtown area. We have the farmers market every Saturday. We have uh Christmas events, things like that. But finding spaces and creating spaces to have more day-to-day, you know, um living there and entertainment is really good. Really good.

SPEAKER_04 13:48

Being from there, what's kind of a hidden gem that not a lot of people know about?

SPEAKER_00 13:53

So so I kind of touched a touched it a little bit earlier. Our lakeyard, every opportunity I have to walk it because it it's a perfect space, reserved space that takes you back, and then outside of that is all of the historic homes. But on that lakeyard is the Diviniac Springs Library, and that is the oldest operating library in the state of Florida, and that is just a gym. It's one of my favorite places to take my girls to and just get lost in it for a little while. And so I would love to see more support of that and realizing what a gym is.

SPEAKER_02 14:30

Is that part of the the library um operative? Yes. I have to go visit. I have a library card.

SPEAKER_00 14:37

There you go. Yeah, and so yeah, just um just we had lost my girls and just got them new ones and we try to go uh every other Wednesday and they just love going in there together the whole experience.

SPEAKER_04 14:54

Very different for most kids nowadays. Yeah, yeah, Shelby's Shelby and Ice Kids are library addicts. So I'm sure we'll maybe we'll have to get up there and they go to the Navarre library probably weekly and check out more books than I could read in a lifetime. And they'll read them all in a week.

SPEAKER_02 15:13

I know, I'm like, did you really read those words?

SPEAKER_04 15:16

I'm like, you each need 20 books. Right.

SPEAKER_00 15:20

Right, yeah. And they read them all, but it's it's just it's it's also an experience more more than library because it's the historic building that you walk into, yeah, and then it has you know the downstairs area, some different almost museum type build to it.

SPEAKER_04 15:40

That's really cool.

unknown 15:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 15:41

Well, I guess getting back a little bit on the real estate side of things, what what should buyers and sellers know about this area? Um, what should our real estate, you know, what what should they know um getting into a transaction in in North Walton?

SPEAKER_00 15:56

So I think the biggest thing is managing expectations. We are most definitely not a uniform market. You know, like I said earlier, it's very different block by block. You know, we don't we do not have a lot of HOAs, anything like that. So it's you know the different type of properties that are next to each other. And I think one of the biggest things is you can't expect to get beach prices or beach homes for rural prices. And at the same time, you can't expect to get beach prices for rural property. So understanding, you know, managing your expectations going in of it it's at the very location, just all real estate at the very location thing. You're not gonna get the same exact thing that you're gonna see on the beach vice versa. Uh and and just um leaning in and trusting us to guide and educate you on the specific topic.

SPEAKER_04 16:58

Oh, makes sense. Well, what's something that that you'd love for you know the community or our members to kind of rally behind in in the area?

SPEAKER_00 17:10

So as a mom, for me, it is the children that are in our area. Um, they are our next, uh, they're our future. And so taking into consideration intentional growth, not just what's going on right now, but looking forward five, ten, fifteen, twenty years. Um, we want to make sure that everything that we're putting in place now is sustainable. Um, and then just just pouring into our future, you know, it's not just today and what we want right now. Um, celebrating and investing in the small businesses that are there. You know, the small business community there is huge. You know, we don't have as many uh larger franchisee we we lean on each other. And so pouring into that aspect as well. And understand we're a family, you know, and and when I moved there in 2005, I was scared that it was going to be very clicky because I was coming from somewhere and I didn't know any I didn't grow up there. But seeing the way that the community comes together, um, unfortunately we've had some tragedy hit us recently. But if I could if I could describe the community in one word, it's gonna be family. You know, the way that we come together, support, uplift, and we're there for there for each other is I mean it's hard to put into words.

SPEAKER_02 18:47

Yeah, I feel that when I go there, you know. I'm usually there once a month and for the storytellers, but yes, everybody knows each other and it's yeah, it's it's neat to see, you know. But at this really small town family feel.

SPEAKER_00 18:59

Yeah, but it's not clicky, like we're loving. Yeah, it's we we want to get to know each.

SPEAKER_02 19:05

You're right. It is, they're very open.

SPEAKER_04 19:08

Well, cool. Well, uh as we kind of round up, uh uh, we haven't done this in a while, and for some reason it hit my mind. But I'll I'll do a little rapid fire questions here. We just got a few of them, but we'll we'll throw some rapid fire, just first thing comes to your mind, and and we'll wrap up here. But um favorite spot in North Walton, you may have already talked about it.

SPEAKER_00 19:26

Uh probably the library or the lake yard. I will walk it every chance that I get.

SPEAKER_04 19:31

Best local hidden gym. I'm gonna make you change it up. I'm gonna make you change it up.

SPEAKER_00 19:36

Okay, restaurant, right? Maybe a restaurant. So I love Southern Comfort.

SPEAKER_03 19:42

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 19:42

Um, it's right in the middle of town. It's family-owned, like I said, you know, small business. I love my girls love going there. Um, we have their uh smoke tuna and uh pretzel bites every single time. The girls would choose that every day, every time we lunch. So, and they're just they're great people.

unknown 20:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 20:03

Coffee or sweet tea.

SPEAKER_00 20:04

Okay, so uh sweet tea is a southern tradition, but I am a uh iced coffee girl. I will be your best friend if you bring me an iced coffee 247, 365. It does not matter if I just drank three of them.

SPEAKER_04 20:20

Okay. So seven brews or Starbucks.

SPEAKER_00 20:24

Yeah, yeah. I've seen her with seven brews. Seven brews. Um, but but honestly, I look for uh I go back to that small business. I would I would much rather walk into like Panera and get a coffee there uh than I would Seven Brew or Starbucks. Um it's just it's it's pouring back in. Yeah. And it's also it's different, you know. And so I was just got back from Hawaii and their their entire community is based around coffee. I was I was in heaven.

SPEAKER_03 20:58

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 20:58

I didn't realize, you know, the coffee farms and everything like that. I am a nice coffee girl all day long.

SPEAKER_04 21:04

Yes. Uh early mornings or late nights.

SPEAKER_00 21:07

So I'm late nights. I do not like to get up in the morning. Amen.

SPEAKER_04 21:13

Amen.

SPEAKER_00 21:13

Yeah, I know, me too. Um, but it is it's easy for me. Um, it's easy for me to stay up at night. I I I struggle to sleep.

SPEAKER_04 21:22

I feel like is that most realtors?

SPEAKER_02 21:26

I don't know. I think there's some that are are early birds. Okay. Not me. I I am not a morning person. Yeah, I'm the same. It's real, I think there are some.

SPEAKER_00 21:35

So, real quick, uh funny story. I I thought I was the only one, and I was sitting around the table at an event that we had, um, I think actually out in Tallahassee card several years ago. And we're sitting there, and somebody talks about, hey, you know, this is what I take to be able to go sleep. And then the next person was like, Oh, this is what I do. Oh, this is what I do. And it was all the way around the table, all of us uh To figure out how to stop working too fleeting. Turn the mind off and sleep. And so uh so it's been an interesting journey. It's just easier. It's easier. That's awesome. End of the day.

SPEAKER_04 22:12

Yeah. Yeah. That's good. Well, we'll let you get back to your busy schedule. We want uh thank you so much for joining us again and getting a chance to to kind of talk about North Walton and and your role in everything that you do for eCar and LDP and um best class ever. Yeah. Always have to throw that stuff out there.

SPEAKER_00 22:31

Absolutely. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 22:32

Yeah. We thank you so much. And for everybody out there listening, thanks again for joining us. Um you know where to find us pretty much anywhere where you listen to podcasts. We still want to hear from you. Um we talked a little bit uh after the the um board meeting today about some ideas. Maria and I are gonna throw some stuff around. But again, that this podcast is for you. We want to hear from you. So if you've got some some insights, some people you want to listen to, some affiliate members, some realtor members, brokers, let us know. Uh, we'd love to have them on and and get a chance to hear from them. So um until then, we will talk to you soon.

SPEAKER_02 23:09

Goodbye. Bye.