Splurge vs. Steal: Two Richardson Renos Represented by the Same Realtor

Splurge vs. Steal is a new feature on CandysDirt.com. Every week, we look at two properties that offer something in common, but are miles apart in their asking price.  

This is the tale of two renovations, both big and beautiful, in the northern suburb of Richardson. These two houses are half a mile apart from each other and a 25-minute drive to downtown Dallas. They’re both represented by Anne Westphal with Ebby Halliday Realtors, who has lived in Richardson since the 1970s.  

“They’ve both been totally remodeled, feed into Pearce High School, and are within a mile of [the University of Texas at Dallas],” Westphal said. “Richardson has a small-town feel and people love all the parks, the revitalized rec centers — it’s also less expensive with amazing retail surrounding it.”

Let’s take a look! 

SPLURGE: JJ Pearce Contemporary with over 3,600 Square Feet on Creek Lot

Located near West Campbell Road and North Waterview Drive in the JJ Pearce neighborhood, our splurge at 1606 Cheyenne Dr. is sleek and sophisticated, hugely renovated with a contemporary design. The owner took a 2,300-square-foot house and added more than 1,300 square feet and a garage, completely reconfiguring the floorplan. This home now has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living areas, two dining areas, and 3,665 square feet on one story, built in 1978. 

Every surface has been updated or replaced, including the exterior, roof, HVAC, doors, windows, floors, kitchen, and bathrooms. The kosher kitchen offers miles of counter space, two dishwashers, a Wolf range, pot filler, and more. Love the vaulted ceiling and skylights in the living-dining areas, as well as the wall of windows overlooking the creek, swimming pool, and patio. The master bedroom is oversized and secondary bedrooms are split. Bonus: this house is in the attendance zone for Mohawk Elementary, which earns a 10 out of 10 from greatschools.org. 

This home was listed Aug. 14 by Westphal for $775,000.

STEAL: Transformed Greenwood Hills Midcentury with Retro Wow Factor

Located near near West Arapaho Road and North Waterview Drive in the Greenwood Hills neighborhood, the home at 912 Forreston Dr. is all about midcentury charm and retro good looks. Like our splurge above, this steal is the recipient of a massive renovation that took one of the worst houses in the neighborhood and turned it into a stunner. This home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,672 square feet on one story, built in 1963. 

The owner took this home to the studs and replaced sheetrock, electrical, floors (hardwood, ceramic, and carpet), lighting, baseboards and trim, hardware, water heater, doors, cedar-wrapped beam on the vaulted ceiling, and more. Walking in, you’re greeted by a fabulous gray painted fireplace and half wall that are quintessentially atomic era. The living-dining areas are open to the kitchen, which has a walk-in pantry, cool cabinets, quartz countertops with a waterfall edge, a head-turning cement tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. The bathrooms are equally hip — the master includes graphic large-format floor tile, a walk-in closet, a frameless glass shower, pocket doors, double vanity, and new plumbing fixtures. Outside, a horizontal wood fence encloses the backyard.

This home was listed Aug. 31 by Westphal for $325,000.