Homeowner Howard Brown decided to buy a duplex apartment in Jacksonville , FL — a metropolis he ’d never even visit . But it was time for a change as he neared retreat age and a dreamy duplex house near the waterfront offered the pure escape .
Jordan Lye ; chictype | Design : Kailey Whitman
Howard Brown is n’t one for uncertainness . “ I ’m very decisive . I do n’t second opine myself , “ he state . “ I do n’t pray on it . I do n’t go back and forth . If I like something , I assure you I care it . ”
Credit:Jordan Lye; chictype | Design: Kailey Whitman
That quality came in ready to hand when , after a decade of rent a New Jersey apartment , he settle tobuy a duplexin Jacksonville , FL — a city he ’d never even visited .
However , he was n’t new to Florida , or to homeownership . Howard had live in Ft . Lauderdale , five hours south of Jacksonville , for nearly thirty years . He owned homes there , too , before relocating within commuting distance of New York City . In November 2024 , after more than a decennium , he felt it was clip for a change . “ I decided I necessitate something static , ” he say . “ I ’m pay off older . I want somewhere to lay my head . ”
Finding a Suitable Location (from Afar)
After shape New Jersey menage prices prohibitively gamy , his thoughts returned to Florida . Howard ’s babe has place in Jacksonville , and his retired father like see there . sure enough he ’d revel it , too . Once the idea dawned , it was only a matter of time .
First things first : Howard hand out to a friend for a Jacksonville - area mortgage factor recommendation . His joining with that broker feel so firm and right , Howard ask if she knew some tangible land agents he might also click with . He question all four options by earpiece from New Jersey and decided to influence withBriana Johnson , a real estate broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty . “ I loved her directly , ” he say .
At first , vendee and factor navigated options from afar . Howard did his preparation , narrowing his vicinity choice down to three with scurvy crime rates that address to him , if virtually . Johnson corroborate his alternative and began ship him option in his Leontyne Price range that fit his abbreviated criteria : A duplex that was move - in ready .
He knew from former possession stint that home base labor were n’t his thing . And a built - in rental provided a financial safety net , especially as he neared retirement old age . “ I wanted to be able-bodied to rent it if I needed help with the mortgage , ” he says .
Howard tell he get it on all the home options , even the 1 he did n’t want , which to him confirmed Johnson was on the right track . But you’re able to only screw so much about a home — or a neck of the woods , or city , for that affair — without interact with it in mortal . Howard decided on a visit and made his expectation clean . “ I ’m not vaporize back and forth from New Jersey to Jacksonville to depend at homes , ” he say Johnson . “ You have one workweek . ”
Seeing the Sights
Upon arriver in Jacksonville , Howard plug the hotel computer address into his rental elevator car ’s GPS and go forward to take the long means there , soaking in the streets of his future menage for the very first time . It felt subdued and calm , and confirmed his inherent aptitude . “ I thought it was a perfect fit , ” he read .
The next morning , Howard met Johnson at the first house on their list , a newly flip out 1913 cottage with anADU ( Accessory Dwelling Unit)tacked on back , which had just reach the grocery store . It was in historical San Marco , one of his three favourite areas , with a titular lame lined with indie shops and eating house . He was pleasantly surprised to recognize it as one he ’d look up to the night before .
Homeowner Howard Brown
It was my house — on the dot what I envision me have . The first and only one I saw .
The abode , too , delivered as hop , with instantcurb appeal — snitcher white-livered with mod details and a 12 - foot privacy fence . It provide the perfect backcloth for the agent and buyer to take on in person for the first time , before afford the front door to show number one . “ I walk in , and I say , ‘ Let ’s make an fling , ’ ” Howard say .
Johnson insisted he take in the rest of the home first . The clean , modern melodic line , subdued colors , abundant natural illumination , andopen trading floor planall checked out . There was a large backyard , too , including a garden he could immediately depict his father puttering in . “ It was my firm — exactly what I envision me have , ” he says . “ The first and only one I saw . ”
A Place to Call Home
Howard got his home at full price with 3.5 % down . Johnson , work with the mortgage agent who ’d ab initio referred her , made it a seamless process . Howard was in his home only a calendar month after starting his search from afar .
I ’m at the stage in life when my peace is the most important affair to me . And I found it .
Trusting his bowel distinctly pay off . “ I liked the fact that it ’s boastful enough for a family , but lowly enough for me . I do n’t feel like it ’s overwhelming in terms of upkeep . And everything I demand is within five blocks , ” he says , including the nearby waterfront and his fresh pet restaurant across the street .
The ADU remains vacant . He say he may consider renting it out in a year or two , but for now , he wants to focus on catch to know his new home . “ I ’m at the phase in life when my peace is the most authoritative thing to me , ” he says . “ And I found it . ”
