It’s My Mansion: Cute Midcentury Traditional Ranch Has Vintage Touches

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9930 Cloister Front

I was telling my husband about this house at 9930 Cloister last week. We drive by it every single day because it’s at the corner of Cloister and Peavy, a street well-trafficked by anyone who lives on our side of White Rock Lake.

This home is rare bird because while some important updates have been done, the kitchen and hall bath are time warps back to 1956, which was when this cute two-bedroom, two-bath home was built. Pam over at Retro Renovation will adore these two rooms, which have original tile and cabinetry, a big plus for any 1950s aficionado, and the bathroom has the original pink tile and a double-sink vanity.

“Maybe we should buy it?” my husband asked, half joking.

“Well, let’s see if it’s still on the market …” I responded, which caused my husband’s mouth to fall open.

9930 Cloister Living Entry

9930 Cloister Living Dining

We love our home in Casa View Haven, and we think we live on the best street in our neighborhood, too. But having only one bathroom has caused some unnecessary marital strain for us. So of course, I had to look, especially since this property was being offered for $175,000. Some homes in this neighborhood, Alger Park, were selling for upwards of $200K!

Well, it would be just our luck that when I checked, this cutie was already under contract.

9930 Cloister Family

9930 Cloister Kitchen Family

9930 Cloister Kitchen

According to the listing agent, East Dallas legend Edwina Dye, that’s just how the cookie crumbles in this very hot corner of East Dallas. It seems like everyone wants to move to our little close-in neighborhood these days, and for good reason.

“It is a really peaceful neighborhood,” Dye said. “My mother lived in Alger Park for almost 23 years until she passed. I purchased her home from the estate about 15 years ago.”

And she has no plans to move.

9930 Cloister Master

9930 Cloister bath

And I guess now that her listing on Cloister is spoken for, neither are we. We fell in love with this house hard and fast, thanks to the two-car garage, handy breezeway, casual patio, and open living and dining areas. It’s also close to our favorite neighborhood park — Jones Park — a lovely little pocket park right in the middle of the neighborhood, a place to which kids ride their scooters in an almost “Leave it to Beaver” type of suburban nirvana.

9930 Cloister Breezeway

9930 Cloister Patio

That’s what makes this area so attractive to buyers. You get a great suburban feel while still being close to shopping, downtown Dallas, and White Rock Lake.

“It is like the best of both worlds with its small-town, laid-back atmosphere and still within 10 minutes to downtown and everything you want to do and see in the way of business and entertainment,” Dye said. “Aren’t we the luckiest people in Dallas to live here? I think so.”

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

1 Comment

  1. Bonnie Haden on June 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    I just love these older neighborhoods! Location, White Rock Lake, Dart Rail and many other plus factors are a great motivator to buy in this area. I think once generation XYZ gets tired of throwing away their money on rent, this will be the ideal location for them to buy a first home.

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