Buddy Blake

Truth, Vision, and Faith in Wilmington Real Estate
Foundations of Faith and Family
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.

Blake’s TV & Blake’s Video
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.

Entering Real Estate (1998)
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.

Failing Forward
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.

The RE/MAX Years and Partnerships
After Coldwell Banker, I opened a RE/MAX office and built it into one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the region. We trained dozens of agents, pioneered team-based representation, and served thousands of clients. But behind the growth, I faced another challenge: a partnership that was not aligned in vision or faith. It became unbearable, and the only way out was to yield my majority ownership and walk away. I left with nothing from that business—except for my share of ownership in the office buildings, which I still hold with a different set of partners who are aligned in both vision and faith. That chapter taught me the lasting importance of being equally yoked in all that truly matters.

Coming Home to Coldwell Banker
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 more than 4,000 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.

Life and Faith Today
By God’s grace, I am blessed with my wife of 17 years and our three daughters. After making so many mistakes and causing hurt in my earlier years, 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 pr