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Blog > Building Affordable Homes for First-Time Buyers in Pace: The Henry Company Homes Story

Building Affordable Homes for First-Time Buyers in Pace: The Henry Company Homes Story

Learn about the history of Henry Company Homes and their 30 years building homes in Pace.

In 1987, 29-year-old Edwin Henry told Bay Magazine that “Pace is growing by leaps and bounds, it’s unreal.”

Just three years in business, Henry only had an inkling of what Pace would look like today in large part thanks to his vision. In fact, Henry once said that builder’s don’t cause growth, they respond to it. In 1980, Pace had just over 5,000 residents. The 2020 U.S. Census clocked the Pace population at 24,684! Leaps and bounds indeed!

In an article written 1998, Henry reported that in Northwest Florida, just 30% of homes were purchased by local residents while 70% are by “immigrants.” Those numbers are probably similar today.

As a young man in the 60s, Henry would go “all the way to Pace” to play Little League Baseball. Today, Henry Company Homes has built more than 12,000 new homes in Northwest Florida, many of which are in Pace where his office is located.

In their first year, 1983, Henry Company Homes built and sold eight new homes. The original model was to build one, live in it for a while and then sell it. In 1984, the number of homes they sold rose to 21 and by 1985, the company was up to 49 new homes! Henry learned a few things in those first few years.

He noticed there were many expensive details builders were using that buyers didn’t necessarily want. So, Henry decided to do things differently.

“I figured out if I just get rid of the frills, I can build a basic house for that first time home buyer that gets them a start,” he said.

Henry Company Homes is known for building a good house at a good price. In fact, many customers say that you get more home for the money with Henry Company Homes.

The history of Henry Company Homes has led them down the path to serving very specific people: first time homebuyers and people who are ready to downsize.

Henry delights in being able to provide a great option for a new family just starting out. He has even designed his homes around them.

“Our kitchens are bigger than most kitchens. We know that when families come home every day, they gather around in the kitchen to share about their day and do homework while dinner is cooking,” Henry said. “You have to provide that space for how people want to live their lives together.”

Today, Henry has built over 92 neighborhoods across Pace, Milton, Navarre and Gulf Breeze. TImes have certainly changed since those humble beginnings. The young man who was 25-years-old when he started the business with his wife, Susan is now working side-by-side with his son Stephen.

Their vision hasn’t changed. They love serving first time home buyers and families just starting out, including military families commuting from NAS Pensacola, Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB. They are committed to providing affordable, quality homes in ideal locations through an incredibly easy buying process.

If you happen to be in the market for a new construction home, consider Henry Company Homes! We’ve been building homes in the Milton, Pace, Navarre and Gulf Breeze areas for 30 years so we understand the importance of making your home buying process simple and the importance of delivering a move-in home that serves your family’s needs. We pride ourselves in helping families make our houses their homes. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we’d be happy to chat!

Building Affordable Homes for First-Time Buyers in Pace: The Henry Company Homes Story

Learn about the history of Henry Company Homes and their 30 years building homes in Pace.

In 1987, 29-year-old Edwin Henry told Bay Magazine that “Pace is growing by leaps and bounds, it’s unreal.”

Just three years in business, Henry only had an inkling of what Pace would look like today in large part thanks to his vision. In fact, Henry once said that builder’s don’t cause growth, they respond to it. In 1980, Pace had just over 5,000 residents. The 2020 U.S. Census clocked the Pace population at 24,684! Leaps and bounds indeed!

In an article written 1998, Henry reported that in Northwest Florida, just 30% of homes were purchased by local residents while 70% are by “immigrants.” Those numbers are probably similar today.

As a young man in the 60s, Henry would go “all the way to Pace” to play Little League Baseball. Today, Henry Company Homes has built more than 12,000 new homes in Northwest Florida, many of which are in Pace where his office is located.

In their first year, 1983, Henry Company Homes built and sold eight new homes. The original model was to build one, live in it for a while and then sell it. In 1984, the number of homes they sold rose to 21 and by 1985, the company was up to 49 new homes! Henry learned a few things in those first few years.

He noticed there were many expensive details builders were using that buyers didn’t necessarily want. So, Henry decided to do things differently.

“I figured out if I just get rid of the frills, I can build a basic house for that first time home buyer that gets them a start,” he said.

Henry Company Homes is known for building a good house at a good price. In fact, many customers say that you get more home for the money with Henry Company Homes.

The history of Henry Company Homes has led them down the path to serving very specific people: first time homebuyers and people who are ready to downsize.

Henry delights in being able to provide a great option for a new family just starting out. He has even designed his homes around them.

“Our kitchens are bigger than most kitchens. We know that when families come home every day, they gather around in the kitchen to share about their day and do homework while dinner is cooking,” Henry said. “You have to provide that space for how people want to live their lives together.”

Today, Henry has built over 92 neighborhoods across Pace, Milton, Navarre and Gulf Breeze. TImes have certainly changed since those humble beginnings. The young man who was 25-years-old when he started the business with his wife, Susan is now working side-by-side with his son Stephen.

Their vision hasn’t changed. They love serving first time home buyers and families just starting out, including military families commuting from NAS Pensacola, Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB. They are committed to providing affordable, quality homes in ideal locations through an incredibly easy buying process.

If you happen to be in the market for a new construction home, consider Henry Company Homes! We’ve been building homes in the Milton, Pace, Navarre and Gulf Breeze areas for 30 years so we understand the importance of making your home buying process simple and the importance of delivering a move-in home that serves your family’s needs. We pride ourselves in helping families make our houses their homes. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we’d be happy to chat!