About Us
Tampa Bay real estate, done right.
Mangrove Bay Realty is a licensed Florida brokerage based in downtown St. Petersburg. We help buyers, sellers, and investors navigate Tampa Bay's market with straight talk and a phone that actually gets answered.
Our Story
Troy founded Mangrove Bay in 2020 after teaching math and coaching basketball in Pinellas County schools. He saw firsthand how transactional and impersonal real estate had become — and built Mangrove Bay around the opposite philosophy.
Straight talk. Answered phones. Local knowledge that algorithms can't replicate. Today the brokerage serves buyers, sellers, and investors across St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, and the rest of Pinellas County — with the same neighbor-helping-neighbor approach we started with.
Why Choose Mangrove Bay Realty?
With over 40+ years of combined experience in the Tampa Bay real estate market, we've built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and results. Our licensed team combines local expertise with current technology to deliver quality service.
We understand that buying or selling a home is one of life's biggest decisions. That's why we're committed to providing personalized service, expert guidance, and unwavering support throughout your entire real estate journey. Our expertise spans from luxury condos and waterfront properties to investment opportunities and vacation rentals.
Integrity
We conduct business with the highest ethical standards and transparency.
Expertise
Our team brings deep market knowledge and proven strategies to every transaction.
Personalized Service
We tailor our approach to meet your unique needs and goals.
Results
We focus on delivering exceptional outcomes for every client we serve.
"Troy is an exceptional real estate professional who guided us through every step of the process with expertise and dedication. His local market knowledge and investment property experience made all the difference!"
Our Values
Our core values guide everything we do and ensure we deliver exceptional service that exceeds your expectations.
Client-Centered Approach
Every decision we make is guided by what's best for our clients. We listen, understand, and tailor our services to meet your unique needs and goals.
- Personalized service for every client
- Active listening and understanding
- Customized strategies and solutions
- Long-term relationship building
Integrity & Trust
We conduct business with the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, honesty, and trust in every interaction.
- Transparent communication
- Honest market assessments
- Ethical business practices
- Confidentiality and discretion
Community Focus
We're deeply rooted in the Tampa Bay community and committed to helping it thrive through responsible real estate practices.
- Local market expertise
- Community involvement
- Supporting local businesses
- Sustainable growth practices
Results-Driven
We focus on delivering measurable results and exceeding expectations through strategic planning and execution.
- Clear goal setting
- Strategic planning
- Performance tracking
- Continuous improvement
Excellence
We strive for excellence in everything we do, from initial consultation to post-transaction support.
- High-quality service delivery
- Attention to detail
- Professional development
- Industry best practices
Responsiveness
We understand that real estate moves quickly, so we're always available when you need us most.
- 24/7 availability for urgent matters
- Quick response times
- Proactive communication
- Flexible scheduling
Our Commitment in Numbers
These numbers reflect our dedication to serving Tampa Bay real estate clients with professionalism and local expertise.
Our Mission
"To provide exceptional real estate services that help our clients achieve their dreams while contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Tampa Bay community. We are committed to integrity, excellence, and personalized service in every transaction."
Meet Our Team
Our experienced team of real estate professionals is dedicated to providing exceptional service and achieving your real estate goals.

Troy Nowak
Broker
10+ years of experience
Contact Information
Specialties
About
Licensed Florida broker (BK3436609) serving Pinellas County buyers, sellers, and investors. Before real estate, Troy was a Pinellas County math teacher and the head boys' varsity basketball coach at Dunedin High School — so he knows every neighborhood from the inside. He also owns and operates short-term rentals in Tampa Bay, giving him hands-on insight into the STR market most agents lack. Specializes in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, Indian Rocks, Madeira, Indian Shores, Treasure Island, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas Park, Tampa, and Safety Harbor — with a focus on luxury condos, gated communities, and waterfront.
Key Achievements
- 325+ career sales · $523K average sale price
- Florida Broker · License #BK3436609
- Former Pinellas County teacher & Dunedin HS coach
- 5.0★ across Google, Zillow, Realtor.com & BiggerPockets

Ben Coughanour
Real Estate Agent
15+ years of experience
Contact Information
Specialties
About
Ben brings extensive experience and a client-first approach to every transaction. With over 15 years in the industry, he has helped hundreds of families find their dream homes and build successful investment portfolios.
Key Achievements
- Top 1% of Realtors Nationwide
- 500+ Successful Transactions
- 5-Star Client Rating

David Silvers
Real Estate Agent
12+ years of experience
Contact Information
Specialties
About
David brings extensive market knowledge and a client-first approach to every transaction. He specializes in helping families relocate to Tampa Bay and has deep expertise in both residential and commercial real estate markets.
Key Achievements
- Relocation Specialist
- 300+ Happy Families
- Consistent Top Performer

Valarie Gerbus
Real Estate Agent
8+ years of experience
Contact Information
Specialties
About
Valarie provides exceptional service to her clients with a focus on understanding their unique needs and goals. She has extensive experience in residential real estate and is committed to helping families find their perfect home.
Key Achievements
- Client-Focused Service
- Residential Sales Expert
- Professional Realtor
Our Team Values
These core values guide everything we do and ensure we deliver exceptional service to every client we serve.
Excellence
We strive for excellence in every transaction and interaction.
Client-First
Our clients' success and satisfaction are our top priorities.
Integrity
We conduct business with honesty, transparency, and ethical standards.
What Our Clients Say
Verified Zillow reviews. 45 five-star reviews on Zillow, 56 on Google, all real clients of Mangrove Bay Realty.
“I could not speak more highly of Mangrove Bay Realty. My home search and purchase had a few layers of complexity, but the team handled it with ease and helped me buy my first home!”
“It is a tough market and a brutal economy. The team at Mangrove Bay brings an upbeat, problem-solving approach to guide you through an otherwise daunting process. We couldn't have asked for a better experience buying our home in Pinellas Park!”
“Absolutely fabulous. Very hard working and gives his all to make you understand the entire process so that you can make informed decisions. Excellent experience with Mangrove Bay Realty.”
“We have bought many residential and commercial properties over 40 years and have never had such an enjoyable experience with a realtor. They sold our unusual property in Seminole quickly and professionally.”
“The BEST — we had a unique property to sell in Largo and the team was on top of everything the entire way. They really know the market and the process. Mangrove Bay Realty exceeded all expectations!”
Our Services
We provide comprehensive real estate services tailored to your unique needs and goals in the Tampa Bay market.
Buying Homes
Find your perfect home with our expert guidance through every step of the buying process.
- Property Search
- Market Analysis
- Negotiation
- Closing Support
Selling Homes
Maximize your home's value with our proven marketing strategies and pricing expertise.
- Home Valuation
- Marketing Strategy
- Showings
- Contract Management
Investment Properties
Build your real estate portfolio with our investment property expertise and market insights.
- Market Research
- ROI Analysis
- Property Management
- Tax Benefits
First-Time Buyers
Navigate the home buying process with confidence through our comprehensive first-time buyer program.
- Education
- Financing Help
- Down Payment Assistance
- Ongoing Support
Luxury Properties
Specialized service for high-end properties with discretion and attention to detail.
- Private Showings
- Concierge Service
- Market Expertise
- Exclusive Listings
Relocation Services
Smooth transitions to Tampa Bay with our comprehensive relocation assistance.
- Area Research
- School Information
- Neighborhood Tours
- Settlement Support
Talk to Troy
Drop your info — he'll text you back personally, usually within the hour.
Or call us: (727) 625-1777