Buddy Blake
REALTOR® | Team Leader
I was born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, and attended Wilmington Christian Academy from kindergarten through 12th grade. Those years profoundly shaped my worldview, my character, and most importantly, my faith in Jesus Christ. That foundation has guided me through both the peaks of success and the valleys of failure. After high school, I attended and graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 1989 with a degree in Business, emphasis in entrepreneurship and computer science.
Before I ever sold a house, I worked in my father’s business—Blake’s TV and later Blake’s Video, long before Blockbuster came into the picture. When my father passed away from cancer far too early, I took the reins of the business. Not long after, my mother also passed, from emphysema after years of smoking. Those losses were devastating, but they also taught me about resilience, responsibility, and the fragility of life. Stepping into my father’s shoes at a young age gave me firsthand experience in leadership and service, lessons that would later shape the way I built my career in real estate.
In 1998, I began my real estate career with Coldwell Banker. Over the next 12 years, I experienced remarkable recognition and financial success—more than I ever imagined possible. But I wasn’t ready for it. I didn’t handle it wisely, and the acclaim fed my pride. On the outside, I looked successful; on the inside, I was unraveling. That season contributed to the collapse of my first marriage, proving that worldly success can be hollow without wisdom and faith.
Failure became my teacher. I learned that money without stewardship destroys, and recognition without humility empties. But I also discovered the incredible depth of God’s grace—that even in failure, He allows us to fail forward and grow.
After Coldwell Banker, I opened a RE/MAX office and built it into one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the region. We trained numerous agents, pioneered team-based representation, and served thousands of clients. But behind the growth, I faced another challenge: as this venture was not aligned in vision or faith. It became unbearable, and the only way out was to yield my ownership and walk away. That chapter taught me the lasting importance of being equally yoked in all that truly matters.
Today, I’m back “home” at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, leading the Buddy Blake Team. Sea Coast is a company that gives us freedom to follow our faith and hearts, while fully supporting us in serving our clients at the highest level.
Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of families buy and sell homes across southeastern North Carolina. What sets us apart isn’t just the number of homes—it’s the way we serve. In our team huddles, we pray daily for our clients by name. We encourage one another without jealousy and speak the truth to our clients, even if it means forgoing opportunities. We want people to feel something different when they work with us—something good that doesn’t need words to explain.
By God’s grace, I am blessed with my wife of going on 20 years and our three daughters. My family serves as a constant reminder of God’s mercy. Without His grace, I would likely be a very lonely man living a lifestyle I would not be proud of. Instead, I get to love my family, serve my community, and live with renewed purpose.
I’ve always loved to build—not with my hands, but with my vision, experience, and passion. Whether it’s marketing strategies, technology systems, or new ways for clients and agents to succeed, I’m always learning and creating.
