My name is Dean Jones, founder of Jamaica Homes and Realtor Associate at Coldwell Banker Jamaica Realty. Today, I want to speak from the heart — not about sales or listings — but about legacy, faith, and the values passed down to me by my grandparents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Issacs. Their story is not just a family memory; it’s a blueprint of how to succeed against the odds.
They were progressive Jamaicans who believed in building wealth honestly, living with integrity, and staying grounded. They were visionaries — not because they had access to wealth, but because they understood the power of community, faith, and smart, long-term investing. They lived the principle that your house should support you, not the other way around.
Teamwork was everything.
For decades, they did life and business together. My grandfather would hand over his full wage each week, trusting my grandmother — a true virtuous woman in the biblical sense — to manage the finances. She controlled the household with grace and discipline, ensuring they remained mortgage-free within ten years, and eventually built a legacy that supported not just their children, but others in the community too.
Their home was always open. At one point, so many people lived with them that I honestly can’t keep count. Whether it was a cousin from Jamaica, a neighbour in trouble, or a young family needing a fresh start — they gave without hesitation. That sense of community-first living is something we can all learn from.
They never lost sight of the goal.
Even as they worked hard in the UK — my grandfather as an independent carpenter and my grandmother as a hospital worker — they always invested back in Jamaica. Their end goal was never just survival, but return. They earned, improved, and came home. They understood that owning property wasn’t just about having a roof over your head — it was about building a future for generations to come.
And yes, they were characters!
My grandfather loved his cars — always a project on wheels — but no matter how rough around the edges the ride was, my nan would sit beside him in her big church hat, riding like the Queen of England. She ruled the kitchen like a chef and a queen combined. They used to say, “Sister I can throw it down!” Every pastor visiting from Jamaica made it a point to eat at their house. It wasn’t just the food — it was the spirit of the home.
They lived through hardships too — racism, firebombs through the windows, economic barriers — but they stayed focused, investing wisely, staying debt-free, and never giving up on their vision.
Life is funny, though.
While many of us today are returning to Jamaica in search of peace, purpose, and opportunity — others are still trying to escape. It’s a paradox. As the English saying goes, “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” Or as my grandmother would say:
“Be careful you don’t jump out of the frying pan and into the fire.”
In other words — don’t let a bad situation lead you blindly into a worse one.
My grandfather used to say, “You hunted,” a phrase full of quiet wisdom I didn’t fully understand as a child. Now I do. He was a proud Spanish Town man, through and through. Even after four decades in the UK, he never lost his accent, and certainly never lost his identity. He returned to Jamaica every chance he got — until he came back for good.
They built a legacy by living simply but thinking big.
Jamaican real estate isn’t just about land or buildings — it’s about roots, pride, and long-term vision. My grandparents understood that. I carry that torch forward today — not just as a realtor, but as a grandson, a believer in community, and a proud Jamaican.
To anyone thinking about investing in Jamaica — remember this:
Don’t lose sight of the end goal. Invest wisely. Stay grounded. And don’t forget where you come from.
– Dean Jones
Founder, Jamaica Homes
Realtor Associate, Coldwell Banker Jamaica Realty