Ask Candy: Toxic Turret Syndrome & Major Tuscan Devil Real Estate Drama. Help Find a $500K Home That Won’t Make This Woman Sick!
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Dear Candy,
I am experiencing some big real estate drama. Here is the deal: my husband and I are looking to buy a house in the $450-$550K range. But if I see any more interior columns, big medallion tiles, hand “troweled” walls or dark purple paint, I may vomit. We have been looking in Colleyville and Grapevine. (That may be our first problem, and we are willing to be convinced otherwise…we work out of our home.) My husband purchased a home in Grapevine before we were married, and we have been living here for 2 years. We travel a ton for work, so we have to admit that living near the airport is nice.
I see some great architecture in Dallas. But is Dallas where the good style in DFW starts and ends?
If we want a pool, plenty of sf for home offices and a big lot, do we have to sell our souls to the Tuscan/Venetian devils?
We love your blog—do you have any thoughts for us?
-ML
Dear ML: Boy, where do I begin? I think you can find good, lean style in parts of Colleyville and Southlake, but they are few are far between. Why don’t builders cut the trowel wall crap and leave the Old World to Count Dracula? I would think clean lined bulding might even be more cost-effective. Maybe our wonderful readers can help suggest better homes or locations. ML tells me she loves “both traditional (think: Home Alone house) and mid-century modern (think: the Brangelina W Magazine feature) architecture.”
It’s the “castle-like” homes around here that really throw us for a loop!I mean seriously…a turret? As for interior….I love white. Clean and crisp. Elle Decor is my favorite magazine.Not a big fan of granite, you know what I’m saying?
Granite is great when you use something other than boring brown earth tones. Agents and sellers, let’s go house hunting for ML!
PS: Even the Brits think our turrets are nuts.
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re: trowel wall crap. It's used by builders to hide poor craftsmenship, poor framing, and poor wood quality behind the sheetrock
Mouldings, wallpaper, and mirrors are also used to mask imperfections. A museum smooth wall requires quality craftsmenship with many building trades involved in the construction process.
re: trowel wall crap. It's used by builders to hide poor craftsmenship, poor framing, and poor wood quality behind the sheetrock
Mouldings, wallpaper, and mirrors are also used to mask imperfections. A museum smooth wall requires quality craftsmenship with many building trades involved in the construction process.
Yes, come inside the city! Much more architectural quality and diversity!
Where you may run into problems is if you want a 3,500-5,000sf home- and a new one- but don’t like the Faux Chateau look. You’re not going to find that for under $500k in Dallas- not even close!
I’m guessing the reader was interested in Grapevine due to airport proximity? If so, check out the 75209, 75220, and 75229 zips in Central/Northwest Dallas. Neighborhoods like Devonshire, Briarwood, Bird Streets, Bluffview, Midway Hollow, Disney Streets.
I agree with Dgirl. Come inside the city and maybe give up some sq ft for quality and character. I love Devonshire, Midway Hollow, Disney Streets, and Lakewood. In Lakewood and Devonshire you can find some really unique and charming homes, but not larger then 2000 to 2400sq ft for under $500k. I would think based on your budget and criteria (larger lot sizes) that the Disney Streets and Midway Hollow are your best bets. Let me know if you need a Dallas Realtor® Good Luck on finding your dream home!
Yes, come inside the city! Much more architectural quality and diversity!
Where you may run into problems is if you want a 3,500-5,000sf home- and a new one- but don’t like the Faux Chateau look. You’re not going to find that for under $500k in Dallas- not even close!
I’m guessing the reader was interested in Grapevine due to airport proximity? If so, check out the 75209, 75220, and 75229 zips in Central/Northwest Dallas. Neighborhoods like Devonshire, Briarwood, Bird Streets, Bluffview, Midway Hollow, Disney Streets.
I agree with Dgirl. Come inside the city and maybe give up some sq ft for quality and character. I love Devonshire, Midway Hollow, Disney Streets, and Lakewood. In Lakewood and Devonshire you can find some really unique and charming homes, but not larger then 2000 to 2400sq ft for under $500k. I would think based on your budget and criteria (larger lot sizes) that the Disney Streets and Midway Hollow are your best bets. Let me know if you need a Dallas Realtor® Good Luck on finding your dream home!
Candy may call me biased because she knows where I live, but the neighborhoods of Thornbury and Brook Meadows in Colleyville are marvelous. You can find some lovely, very well-built homes (albeit older and sometimes in need of a little updating) in two great neighborhoods that many C-level executives and various movers and shakers call home. Also, a little secret that I use frequently: these neighborhoods are right off Glade Road, which runs right into the airport. So you can get there without getting on a highway and without living in the flight path.
Jeff—
I just discovered Thornbury YESTERDAY, and I love it! I agree with you.
I can get a big lot there, too.
I will check out Brook Meadows.
You guys are very helpful.
Thank you!
Cheers,
ML
Candy may call me biased because she knows where I live, but the neighborhoods of Thornbury and Brook Meadows in Colleyville are marvelous. You can find some lovely, very well-built homes (albeit older and sometimes in need of a little updating) in two great neighborhoods that many C-level executives and various movers and shakers call home. Also, a little secret that I use frequently: these neighborhoods are right off Glade Road, which runs right into the airport. So you can get there without getting on a highway and without living in the flight path.
Jeff—
I just discovered Thornbury YESTERDAY, and I love it! I agree with you.
I can get a big lot there, too.
I will check out Brook Meadows.
You guys are very helpful.
Thank you!
Cheers,
ML
What do you all think of the Timarron neighborhood in Colleyville?
Mary
What do you all think of the Timarron neighborhood in Colleyville?
Mary
What do you all think of the Timarron neighborhood in Colleyville?
What do you all think of the Timarron neighborhood in Colleyville?
Check out the Kessler Park area for unique and charming homes. The area is up and coming with new retail developments planned and the Bishop Arts District nearby. It’s the new “Gayborhood”, so you know that the area is on the upswing and renovations are top notch. Many Real Estate professionals I know live there. They must know something, right?
Check out the Kessler Park area for unique and charming homes. The area is up and coming with new retail developments planned and the Bishop Arts District nearby. It’s the new “Gayborhood”, so you know that the area is on the upswing and renovations are top notch. Many Real Estate professionals I know live there. They must know something, right?
ML: Timarron is mostly Southlake, but there is a portion called the Cascades that is in Colleyville off John McCain Road (not THAT John McCain). If you look in Timarron Southlake, generally speaking the part south of Continental is considered more desirable. One thing to keep in mind about the Cascades is the presence of railroad tracks. It's not a big deal now, but plans are in the works to make it part of DART's service. I would stick to the center or western part of the Cascades.
ML: Timarron is mostly Southlake, but there is a portion called the Cascades that is in Colleyville off John McCain Road (not THAT John McCain). If you look in Timarron Southlake, generally speaking the part south of Continental is considered more desirable. One thing to keep in mind about the Cascades is the presence of railroad tracks. It's not a big deal now, but plans are in the works to make it part of DART's service. I would stick to the center or western part of the Cascades.
The most important thing about all of the aforementioned is choose Southlake, not Colleyville. Then make sure you are working with an agent that knows Southlake like the back of her manicured hand or you will wind up with something big, brown, and without much resale value. And remember, it's just paint, but location lasts forever.
The most important thing about all of the aforementioned is choose Southlake, not Colleyville. Then make sure you are working with an agent that knows Southlake like the back of her manicured hand or you will wind up with something big, brown, and without much resale value. And remember, it's just paint, but location lasts forever.
Thanks, Southlake Realtor!
Even center or western Timarron Cascades is a no-go?
Because of re-sale?
Please clarify, if you do not mind.
Thanks!
ML
Some beautiful homes and good buys now in Cascades, without a doubt, but Southlake is where it's at. Just sayin'… listen to Mother.
And please keep in mind… there's much more to Southlake and Colleyville than Timarron, as Jeff as mentioned.
Thanks, Southlake Realtor!
Even center or western Timarron Cascades is a no-go?
Because of re-sale?
Please clarify, if you do not mind.
Thanks!
ML
Some beautiful homes and good buys now in Cascades, without a doubt, but Southlake is where it's at. Just sayin'… listen to Mother.
And please keep in mind… there's much more to Southlake and Colleyville than Timarron, as Jeff as mentioned.