Tuesday Two Hundred: Lochwood or L-Streets? Two Homes For $275K Couldn't be More Different

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FARRAR V LONGMEADOW

Let’s do some comparison shopping, shall we?

Let’s say you’re looking for a four-bedroom, three-bath home in Northeast Dallas, something in the greater Lake Highlands area. In the $275,000 range you’ve got some options, but the most similar ones would be 10211 Longmeadow in the L-Streets area and 11710 Farrar in Lochwood.

The home on Longmeadow is 2,252 square feet and has two living and two dining areas, as well as landscaped backyard and some key updates. It’s marketed by Nathan Grace Realtor Amy Timmerman of pickaperch.com for $273,500.

10211 Longmeadow Living 10211 Longmeadow Dining 10211 Longmeadow Kitchen 10211 Longmeadow Master 10211 Longmeadow Master Bath 10211 Longmeadow Backyard

The Farrar house has 2,243 square feet, an updated kitchen and master, fresh paint, hardwoods, and some original vintage features. It has an upstairs addition that includes what could be an office, playroom, fourth bedroom, or media room. It’s marketed by Coldwell Banker Residential agent Nathan Kaul for $274,900.

11710 Farrar Living 11710 Farrar Kitchen 11710 Farrar Family 11710 Farrar Pink Bath 11710 Farrar Master 11710 Farrar Master Bath 11710 Farrar Upstairs

Both homes look great from the curb, but there’s one key difference between them that you absolutely have to consider when buying in Northeast Dallas: The home in Lochwood is inside the Dallas ISD boundaries, while the L-Streets home is inside Richardson ISD.

Now, considering how similar these two homes are, you’d think the one with Lake Highlands schools at 10211 Longmeadow would have a higher value. This home has some beautiful updates in the bathrooms, with fresh tile and hardware. The backyard is a great size and has a storage shed — perfect for families who want to keep some toys out of sight and for storing lawn equipment.

However, consider that the kitchen feels somewhat isolated, there is carpet in the living and dining rooms, rather dated light fixtures throughout, and the existing furniture doesn’t really do anything to stage the property, I can see how, when compared against 11710 Farrar, they would be priced more closely.

Why? Because the Farrar home has updates that buyers are clamoring for, including refinished hardwood floors, neutral cool gray paint, and updated kitchen that is more open, thanks to the lack of upper cabinets near the breakfast area. The living areas feel more open and airy because the seller has opened the draperies, which are light colored. The rugs and furniture compliment the decor and have some vintage pizzaz. While the hall bath isn’t updated, the existing pink tile (a 1950s favorite for retro decor enthusiasts) complements the original wallpaper. It’s super cute and I’m sure a buyer will appreciate that it was preserved. I am rather disappointed, though, that the listing agent didn’t include pictures of the backyard.

Now, tell us, which home would you choose? The L-Streets home on Longmeadow that feels somewhat dated but is inside Richardson ISD boundaries? Or the Lochwood home on Farrar, which has some great updates and some vintage charm, but is inside Dallas ISD boundaries?

Joanna England is the Executive Editor at CandysDirt.com and covers the North Texas housing market.

11 Comments

  1. Steph on May 16, 2014 at 6:41 am

    Owners in Lochwood stay put in our forever homes–green belts, creeks, hills, giant trees, and neighborhood police patrol. A safe walk or ride to White Rock lake. L streets friends tell me lots of folks buy as starter home and move five years later. Lots of Lochwood kids go to blue ribbon elementary school Hexter and solid neighborhood school Riley. There is a very active parents group and homeowners group.

  2. Noelle Schilling on May 16, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    Lochwood all the way. Love this beautiful solid neighborhood. Well maintained by many involved caring neighbors.

  3. Chris on May 16, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    Candace, I love your content and am flattered you like our decorating and remodeling decisions! As the former owner of the above-mentioned house, I obviously vote Lochwood all the way. Amazing neighborhood. We only left, because my work commute is too far from East Dallas. It is the most beautiful neighborhood in the entire city, in my humble opinion. My wife and I are planning to do a mixture of home school and private, so public school districts do not play a large factor in our home-buying decisions. It is nice to have the security blanket of a stellar public school system to fall back, of course, but sometimes you find the “perfect” house in an otherwise “perfect” neighborhood, and you make compromises. Lochwood values are bolstered, in part, by the fact that there are plenty of people who don’t have kids, or who do and have values similar to ours. There is also a growing group of pioneers who are intent on transforming the schools this neighborhood feeds into, and I tip my hat to them. The neighborhood is so beautiful that it is worth the fight. It will happen.

    • Candy Evans on May 17, 2014 at 3:55 pm

      I am so glad HOORAY! I firmly believe busing destroyed Dallas public schools and stripped neighborhoods of value. If there is anything we can do to help please holler!

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