I’ve weathered market crashes, hurricanes, and personal setbacks—but through it all, faith, family, and my mother’s wisdom have kept me grounded.

  

Since high school, I knew I wanted to be a REALTOR®. My mom was a REALTOR®, and I grew up watching her work—negotiating, helping people find homes, and balancing it all with grace. I admired the relationships she built and the independence the business gave her. I knew it was for me.

 

I went to Ole Miss (The University of Mississippi), earned a degree in real estate, and got my license in 1990. Those were huge years for me—not only did I start a career that I still love, but I also met my wife, Alison. We met on a blind date, bowling, and we’ve been together ever since—33 years and counting.

 

My early years in real estate weren’t smooth sailing. My business wasn’t going anywhere, and I seriously thought about quitting. My mom, however, encouraged me to stick with it. She became my mentor and taught me the discipline and mindset it takes to succeed. “At the end of the day, when you think you’re done, do one more thing,” she’d say. “And there’s always time to speak to a client.” Those lessons changed everything for me.

 

Soon after, my hard work started paying off. I won Rookie of the Year for Coldwell Banker, then partnered with developers who were building new homes and condos. My business began to thrive, and before long, Alison and I welcomed our two children, Henry and Sophie. 

 

 Of course, the market isn’t always kind. I’ve seen my share of challenges—the 1995 hurricane that devastated properties, the 2010 oil spill that hurt the economy. Each time, I had to put my head down and work harder. Paradoxically, those were often my best years. When times get tough, I just remind myself that God’s got me, and I would get to work.

 

 Eventually, all that persistence paid off. Real Trends names the best real estate agent of each state, and I had the honor of being named the #1 REALTOR® in Florida. My broker even named me REALTOR® of the Decade (2000-2010) for having the most sales.

 

 While my business thrived, my health did not. I was hustling nonstop, eating fast food between appointments, and running on adrenaline. I felt rushed and stressed all the time. That caught up with me in 2022, when I was involved in an accident and sustained a head injury. It forced me to slow down and take stock of my life.

 

I began focusing on my health—exercising, eating better, and even trying biohacking techniques. I took a genetic test to learn what foods 

work best for my body and started cognitive behavioral therapy to train myself to slow down my thinking rather than jump to conclusions. For the first time in years, I truly feel good—clear-headed, energized, and grounded.

 These days, I spend more time enjoying life. I love boating, kite surfing, paddle boarding—anything that gets me on the water. My kids are

 grown now, in their 20s, both recently married and thriving. I recently had the honor of officiating my son Henry’s wedding to his wife, Page. I’ll admit—I cried. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. And of course, our dogs, Winnie and Ferguson, are part of the family too.

 

 Now, my focus is longevity—both in life and in real estate. I don’t want to rush anymore. I want to enjoy the process, my clients, and my time. My mom, who recently passed away, sold real estate until she was 85 years old. That’s my goal —to keep doing what I love for as long as I can, with balance, health, and gratitude leading the way.

 

 I’ve lived in the Destin area for the past 36 years, which gives me deep, firsthand knowledge of its neighborhoods, price ranges, and unique community vibes. With decades of real estate experience and more than 3,000 transactions completed, I’ve seen every kind of situation imaginable and know how to navigate each one with skill and care. My goal has never been to “sell” but to truly help my clients make confident, informed decisions that serve their best interests. 

 

I’m known for being highly detailed in my work, combining strong negotiation skills with meticulous attention to every aspect of a transaction to ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Thanks to my trusted transaction coordinator and a reliable team of lenders and title professionals. I’m constantly learning and adapting, staying ahead of trends, and finding innovative ways to market properties that get results. For me, real estate is not just a career—it’s a lifelong commitment to the people and communities I care deeply about.

 

 

 Sincerely,

 

 

David B. Connart