My husband and I purchased a home in the historic district of Jacksonville, Florida.
Our new home was within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in Avondale. We could see the water of the St. Johns river from our back patio. It wasn’t until after we moved into the home that we learned about the many restrictions placed on historic residences. We were not allowed to make any changes, improvements or repairs to the home without getting permission in writing. Getting permission was a very involved, frustrating and time-consuming process. We couldn’t update our windows to be more energy efficient. We couldn’t install ductwork, add insulation or even paint the exterior. Our brick driveway was horribly cracked but we were not allowed to switch to pavement. Our chimney was crumbling and we needed to hire a specialist who could recreate the original brick pattern. Any minor repair became extremely stressful and expensive. When an especially nasty storm hit Jacksonville, the St. Johns river overflowed. Our home was completely flooded. The floors and walls were damaged. Appliances were ruined. The structure was severely undermined and the foundation cracked. We lost power for nearly a week. Without the air conditioner or dehumidifier, mold growth was rampant. The house was disgustingly dirty and smelled awful. We were concerned about health and safety issues. The only way to sell the house was through a cash buyer. We were delighted to discover a family-owned cash buyer local to Jacksonville. They were wonderfully professional, honest and understanding. I began by filling out the online contact form. I received an estimate a few hours later. I then called the company directly to ask some questions. The person I spoke with was very friendly and informative. We closed on our property ten days later.
