Splurge vs. Steal: Two Vickery Place Craftsman-style Houses

Buyers love historic Dallas neighborhoods. Case in point: Vickery Place. This conservation district, first platted in 1911, offers an abundance of reasons to feel giddy about it. 

For its convenient location near Central Expressway and Henderson Avenue and a pleasing assortment of architectural styles, Vickery Place is in demand. Real estate prices reflect that: it’s hard to walk out of a deal here for under half a million bucks. And if you do find that rare listing, it’s often a teardown to make way for the many new-builds cropping up. 

In today’s Splurge vs. Steal, we’re looking at two Vickery Place Craftsman-style houses, one old and one newer. One is positively palatial — the biggest in the neighborhood, in fact — the other more modest. They each sing their siren song for the right buyer. Which is your favorite? 

 

Splurge: Largest House in Vickery Place with 5,300 Square Feet, Reinforced Safe Room

Our splurge this week is the largest house in Vickery Place, located at 5643 Vickery Blvd., with 5,351 square feet on two stories, built in 2011. You can fit a lot into that much square footage, including a home theater, exercise room, gigantic game room, and oversized master suite with a 64-square-foot steam shower and 256-square-foot dual closet. This home has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, three living areas, an office, and a concrete-and-steel reinforced safe room.

From triple hung wood windows and three tankless water heaters to hand-scraped hardwoods, built-in speakers, and a commercial electrical system, the builder attended to every detail. The open kitchen is outfitted with dual dishwashers, two islands, granite countertops, gas range, and built-in refrigerator-freezer. Other amenities include a mudroom, upstairs balcony, three-car garage with four-car carport, nine-zone smart sprinkler system, landscape lighting, and four-person jacuzzi. 

This home was listed Sept. 29 by Junior Desinor with Level Properties for $1.399 million, reduced to $1.299 million.

 

Steal: Sweet Craftsman with Big, Beautiful Updates

Half a mile away, find our steal at 5510 Belmont Ave. This 1940 Craftsman has some big updates that bring the most function to its 1,906 square feet. The owners added a second living area with fireplace, high ceilings, custom built-ins, and its own entrance. This home has two bedrooms and two bathrooms on one story.

Before the renovations, this house was blah and boring. But now, it shines. The eat-in kitchen is the star of the show with new cabinets, gorgeous marble backsplash, a computer nook, stained glass window, and stainless steel appliances, including double ovens and a gas cooktop. Hardwoods extend to both bedrooms and the master bath is completely renovated with a claw foot tub and separate shower, double sinks on floating vanities, and loads of storage. Love the seating bench and built-ins in the master bedroom. In back, there is a patio for outdoor dining and a detached two-car garage. 

This Craftsman was listed Oct. 8 by Margaret Manser with Allie Beth Allman & Assoc. for $549,000.

 

Splurge vs. Steal is a weekly feature on CandysDirt.com. We look at two properties that offer something in common, but are miles apart in their asking price. If you’ve got suggestions, email them to Leah.