Castellanos Family is Growing Into Second Spot in University Park, Thanks to CandysDirt.com

When the Castellanos family was looking for a place to land in the Park Cities, they were searching for answers in every direction. When push came to shove, their query on CandysDirt.com is what got them the answers they needed. 

“Six years ago you helped us find the perfect home for our growing family when we were featured in Ask Candy,” said Amy Castellanos. “We ended up stretching ourselves to the max to buy a fixer-upper, starter-home in University Park.  It was one of the best decisions we ever made!”

But, that was two kids and several years ago, so the Castellanos family is moving on to new digs after outgrowing their adorable cottage on Daniel Avenue in University Park.

“We truly poured love and care into our family home,” said Amy’s husband, Luis. “We took down a wall, added a closet and updated the finishes. It was a roomy 2,722-square-foot, ranch-style home, and we liked it so much that we began talking to architects about adding a second story as our family grew.  Then one fateful, free Saturday late last year, I thought it would be fun to check out an open house to ‘get ideas.'”

We see where this story is going …

“We were comfortably living in the Daniel house as a family of five, and we were in the process of talking with architects about adding a second floor,” said Amy. “We had already spoken to three when we went to the open house. I was due any day with our fourth child, and we had just welcomed an Au Pair from Costa Rica to the family.  The open house was turn-key and had all the room we needed, so we made an offer.”

“Long story short, we ended up buying that house,” Amy added. “Now, we’re hoping that our first house can be the answer to another growing family looking to establish roots in Park Cities.  It’d be the perfect starter home for a young family that appreciates no dangerous staircases, an attached garage, and a huge game room. ”

Though the Castellanos family didn’t know how their move to University Park would pan out, it’s been so much better than they expected.

“We weren’t sure how we’d fit in the community because neither of us grew up in UP, but since we’ve lived here we’ve made great friends who also happen to be great professional connections,” Amy said.

The sales process has been a learning experience for Amy and Luis, their four children, and Bungee the dog.

“We left most of our furniture in the Daniel house for staging, but then realized there was a strong market for furnished short-term rentals,” Amy said. “We decided to do a short-term rental until the summer buying season, and now we’re on MLS! We’re also ready to get our master bedroom back and the dining chairs. We’ve been crashing on our own couches and sleeping in the guest room when we don’t have guests.”

“Our first house may not be the biggest and most beautiful, but it’s definitely a niche piece of real estate that turned out to be just what we were looking for six years ago,” Luis said.  

Rachel Silverman with R&C Realty has listed 2809 Daniel Ave. in University Park for $1.075 million.