Best of 2018: Splurge vs. Steal

[Editor’s note: Merry Christmas! This week, we’re taking time off to focus on our loved ones, so we are sharing some of our favorite stories from this year. Keep an eye out for our top features from the archives as we rest and get ready for a brilliant 2019! Cheers, from Candy and the entire staff at CandysDirt.com!]

Amy: There is something so fun about comparing Dallas properties in our weekly Splurge vs. Steal. For some it’s an easy choice, for others it’s a bit more challenging. But any way you slice it, our Splurge vs. Steal is just a cool way to see how far your money will go in Dallas’ hottest hoods. Today, we feature a couple of our favorites as we look back on 2018. Here’s wishing you and yours a joyful and prosperous New Year. Cheers!

Splurge vs. Steal: Two Brookshire Park Beauties on Large Lots

Our writer Leah Shafer nailed it when comparing these two Brookshire Park beauties. Back in May she wrote: Near Royal Lane and Hillcrest Road is the wonderful North Dallas neighborhood of Brookshire Park. Beautiful houses on larger, heavily treed lots line the streets, with most of the original properties built late 1960s and early 1970s. This week’s Splurge vs. Steal takes us there to two Brookshire Park beauties just 0.4 miles apart. Both are over 5,000 feet and offer high-end amenities. Which is your favorite?

SPLURGE: ONE-STORY SPRAWLING MIDCENTURY ON DOUBLE LOT

The extraordinary midcentury at 6930 Brookshire Dr. sits on a double lot, 0.65 acres, and was taken to the studs in 2014 and completely rebuilt, restoring this timeless, architecturally significant home. It has four bedrooms, five full bathrooms, one half bath, four living areas, three dining areas, and 6,320 square feet on one story, built in 1973.

The open floor plan is original, an entertainers dream as this home begs for large parties. Just look at the living-dining room area with soaring ceilings, a dramatic floor-to-ceiling stone surround fireplace, gorgeous hardwoods, and walls of windows. Each bedroom has an ensuite bath, walk-in closet, and its own private courtyard. The master is a sight to behold — its bathroom features a sculptural soaker tub, dual sinks on a floating vanity, and an entire wall partitioned by two frameless glass panels and offering two rainfall showerhead and a sea of marble. Outside, find over 500 square feet on covered patio space that overlooks the sleek swimming pool. A separate side yard provides an additional large green space.

This home was listed April 5 by Clay Stapp with Clay Stapp + Co. for $1.75 million.

STEAL: LOVELY HOME ON HEAVILY TREED HALF ACRE WITH POOL, DECKS

The home at 6981 Forest Glade Circle sits on a gorgeous 0.487 acres with mature, lush landscaping, multiple large decks, a swimming pool, water features, and still plenty of green space. The house has four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, one half bath, three living areas, two dining areas, and 5,376 square feet on two stories, built in 1970.

On the first floor, two of the three living areas feature views of the backyard, and are separated by a double-sided fireplace and one has a wet bar and three walls of windows. Lovely. One bedroom with ensuite bath is downstairs, with the master and two secondary bedrooms up. The oversized master offers a roomy sitting area and bath with a jetted tub and skylights. A large study has built-in cabinets and shelves. A second-floor bedroom has an attached living area that would be a perfect sitting room, den, or office. The garage has cabinets, as well as a storage room.

This home was listed Dec. 22, 2017, by Steve Atkinson with Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate Park Cities for $970,000.

Another Fave?

This October Splurge vs. Steal garnered lots of likes, and for good reason. It centers on two exceptional properties situated on the iconic, Swiss Avenue.

Skip The Tricks, Come For The Treats In These Swiss Avenue Stunners

Don’t let Halloween get you spooked! Tour these Swiss Avenue stunners instead. Two properties. One neighborhood. Drastically different price points. If it weren’t for all the Halloween hub-bub, we’d still think they’re a great buy.

Didn’t you hear? They’re located smack dab in a treasured Dallas enclave that’s known for getting its trick-or-treat on! That’s right. Enter the Swiss Avenue Historic District. The neighborhood with the good candy. The houses that spring for the big bars. Whether you’re all chocolaty goodness or pure vanilla smoothie, these two beauties will take a bite out of your Dallas home search and are the creme de la creme in the neighborhood for the price. Don’t believe us? Enter if you dare. Mwahahahahaha…

Splurge: The Crown Jewel Of Swiss Avenue For $3.7M

Now this is historic gem if we’ve ever seen one! Many of you loyal followers might remember this exquisite Swiss Avenue estate back when Candy covered it in 2014 for the Monday Morning Millionaire.

It has since found its place back on the Dallas market, and her elegant prose still describes it best:

Considered by many to be the crown Georgian jewel of The Swiss Avenue Historic District, 5323 Swiss Avenue is a most unique estate. Like peeling back a beautiful flower, you go inside the home and discover more and more and more wonders. It has been beautifully cared for, updated and maintained. I had the pleasure of visiting the home this past December, along with my mother-in-law, for a Preservation Dallas event. It is not only elegant, historic and luxurious, it is period true inside: both the main house and the carriage house were designed by architect Hal Thompson in 1916.

The description rings still true today, but this time it comes with a $3.7 million dollar price tag. It’s once again listed by none other than the incomparable Kay Weeks of Ebby Halliday, the home’s previous agent who reminds us the palatial Dallas estate has seen it’s fair share of upgrades over the last 10 years.

This includes a fabulous chef’s kitchen, wine hall, replaced tile roof, the addition of a 3,800-square-foot guest house with apartment, private office, 20-seat theater, and guest room with adjacent full kitchen. Plus you’re getting an additional two bedrooms in the carriage house!

Of course, the main house and guest house each afford a trusty elevator for privacy and convenience. A resort-sized pool and patio are ideal for those who entertain, not to mention its a great spot to host corporate meetings. Pore over the photos, then and now, and you’ll see not a lot has changed. And for good reason! Can you really improve upon a masterpiece?

To quote our founder’s words once more:

Think of this the next time you go down Swiss Avenue and tell me with a straight face that real estate doesn’t appreciate!

Kay Weeks of Ebby Halliday listed 5323 Swiss Ave. for $3.7 million.

Steal: Swiss Avenue Manor With A Storied History For $1.795M

For less than half the price of our splurge you could snatch up this sweet, Swiss Avenue Manor down the block for a cool $1.795 million.

It’s listed by Elizabeth Mast of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty and comes with the perfect porch for next season’s pumpkin display. Don’t act like you weren’t picturing it!

Being the impeccably built home that it is, great care has been taken to preserve the historical significance of every aspect of this property, while at the same time updating it to make it comfortable by today’s standards.

Of course, it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t give you the full scoop. This home comes with a pedigree too! In fact, if you have a sense of humor, it may inspire next year’s Halloween costume.

The residence was once owned by Dr. W. A. Criswell, a renowned pastor at the First Baptist Church in Downtown Dallas, and one of the most prominent theologians in his era.

The bones of the home offer an abundance of architectural appeal, but we can’t help but marvel at all the detail inside!

Warm and inviting interiors, a private first-floor master suite, and generous formals made for entertaining and sipping Halloween punch. Let the kids bob for apples in the kitchen, or spook your guests in the home’s private elevator. A two-car attached garage and separate 1000-square-f00t carriage house make it all the much sweeter.

Elizabeth Mast of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty listed 5901 Swiss Ave. for $1.795 million.