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Success Story

At Cowford Realty & Design, our agents are dedicated to helping clients navigate the often complex journey of buying a home, especially when relocating to a new city. Recently, our very own Romy Vann had the pleasure of assisting a client relocating from Tennessee to Jacksonville, looking for the perfect historic home to start her next chapter. Here's how Romy guided her buyer through the process and found a dream home in one of Jacksonville's most sought-after neighborhoods.

About Romy Vann

Romy Vann's journey in real estate began in 2015 restoring and rejuvenating homes. Alongside her husband, she embarked on a venture of acquiring, renovating, and breathing new life into homes across Jacksonville.  

Throughout the years Romy has helped her clients buy and sell all over NE Florida including: throughout the beaches, historic districts, many of the waterfront communities, and other pockets of our wonderful city! Her areas of expertise span from high-end beach homes to single-family fixer-uppers, and everything in between. With an extensive history buying, selling, renovating, investing in, and even launching long and short-term rentals--her knowledge extends further than your everyday agent! Romy’s experience allows for cultivating creative solutions for her clients to make this sometimes daunting process be smoother and often fun! Romy is a lifelong, devoted Jaguars fan, demonstrating her determination to persevere even in the most challenging of times. 

Romy’s passion for restoration and preservation goes beyond real estate, as she is deeply committed to the protection and preservation of our environment, wildlife and natural resources. In addition to being a realtor with Cowford Realty, Romy is the Conservation Director for the Public Trust, an environmental non-profit law firm. She also serves on an environmental advisory committee for the City of Atlantic Beach. 

A Referral from a Past Client

Romy met her buyer through a referral from a previous client—her sister! Having worked with the family before, Romy had already established a relationship of trust and reliability, which made the initial stages of the home search smooth and comfortable.

The Search Begins: Historic Homes in Avondale, Riverside, and San Marco

The buyer had her heart set on Jacksonville’s charming historic neighborhoods—Avondale, Riverside, and San Marco. These areas are renowned for their character-filled homes, tree-lined streets, and walkability, making them perfect for someone relocating and looking for a fresh start in a vibrant, established community. After spending time touring the areas together, it was clear that this was where the buyer wanted to plant roots.

The Challenge: Balancing Charm with Modern Necessities

Finding the perfect historic home, however, comes with its own set of challenges. While many of these homes have the charm and architectural character buyers fall in love with, they often require extensive upgrades to meet modern insurance requirements and provide peace of mind. Romy and her client toured multiple homes and even went under contract twice. Unfortunately, both deals fell through after inspections revealed that the properties required far more work than anticipated—making them uninsurable in their current condition.

The Perfect Solution: An Off-Market Property

Undeterred by these setbacks, Romy knew that persistence would pay off. After reviewing all the active listings and not finding the right fit, she shifted strategies and began exploring off-market opportunities. Romy’s determination led her to discover an off-market home that checked all the boxes. The property had the historic charm her client loved, but with the necessary updates to ensure it was a sound investment—and insurable.

Home Sweet Home

By thinking outside the box and tapping into her network, Romy was able to help her client find the perfect home—one that wasn’t even listed on the market. It’s this kind of resourcefulness and dedication that makes Romy such an invaluable partner in the home-buying process. Her client is now settled in a beautiful home in Jacksonville's historic district, ready to begin her new chapter.

At Cowford Realty & Design, we know that every buyer’s journey is unique, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way—just like Romy did for her buyer. Whether you're relocating or just looking for your next home, our team is ready to help you find the perfect place to call your own.

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