Dave Perry-Miller’s Rachel Norris and Builder Chris Sandlin Make a Great Team for You

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4037 Lively Lane is a five-bedroom, 5½-bath two-story home. The end product will be an amazing amalgam of open-concept interiors, over-sized secondary bedrooms, superior design specifications and innovative home technology. Set to be completed in early 2021, there is plenty of time for the new homeowner to put their personal spin on the final finishes and details.

When you find someone you work well with in this industry, it’s only natural — and highly logical — to pursue ways to continue working together. There’s often a lovely yin-and-yang thing at play, because over time, mutual respect for each other’s craft gives way to an interdependence and shared goals that can take you both a long way.

A great example of this is the organic partnership between Rachel Norris with Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate and Chris Sandlin of Chris Sandlin Homes

Upon completion, the interior of 4037 Lively Lane will bear similarities to another Chris Sandlin Home on Juniper Drive, also in Midway Hollow.

Rachel has an interesting back story that prepared her well for this industry. She got into residential real estate after several years in Hollywood where she worked for an Emmy award-winning producer and for the drummer of a well-known rock band. It goes to figure if she can keep pace with such a demanding lifestyle, you know she has your back on a demanding transaction.

Chris’ story is a little more predictable, though not in a mundane way. He runs a successful legacy business. The third-generation builder is deeply entrenched in carrying on his family’s 60+ year tradition of crafting high-quality homes.

Memories of Sandlin’s travels to places like Portugal and France come across in unexpected ways through his designs. 

But here’s where it gets a little unpredictable: he has elevated his own expectations of what that looks like. As an avid traveler, Chris strives to infuse his homes with a sense of excitement and adventure, whether from a museum, sleek hotel decor, or some unique street art he’s encountered abroad. Don’t expect to come home to status quo in one of his creations.  

Mix Chris’ new level of sophistication, design and attention to detail integrated into each home, with Rachel’s tenacity, market knowledge and crazy-strong work ethic, and you find a team making a mark in Midway Hollow, where their first sale together occurred. And also in the surrounding neighborhoods of Preston Hollow, Briarwood, Devonshire — really anywhere a buyer wants to be.

3842 Dunhaven Road in Midway Hollow did not even make it to MLS before it went under contract during COVID-19.

As evidence of this, a recently completed Chris Sandlin home on Dunhaven went under contract — off-market — in the thick of COVID. Rachel credits some of this to the marketing team she works with at Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate.

“They blew my seller away,” she said. “The internal marketing at DPMRE was so helpful, actually critical, in getting this done.”

Of working with Chris, she adds, “He is very understated, preferring to let his work do all the talking. He is also very collaborative with his clients. He can build specs with a custom eye and execute any style of house. Whatever you’re looking for in a home, Chris will curate for you.”

The feeling is mutual. Chris says, “Working alongside Rachel has been a great experience, and I expect it will be long lasting. She’s such a go-getter on the ground in North Dallas, working to find existing properties to purchase, and working behind the scenes to market our new homes. She’s also in tune with what homebuyers want, which is invaluable for ensuring our plans meet the needs of a variety of homebuyers.”

Rachel can be reached at 214-796-2126 / [email protected]. Contact Chris at 972-290-0605 / [email protected].

Shelby is Associate Editor of CandysDirt.com, where she writes and produces the Dallas Dirt podcast. She loves covering estate sales and murder homes, not necessarily related. As a lifelong Dallas native, she's been an Eagle, Charger, Wildcat, and a Comet.

7 Comments

  1. Cindy on August 8, 2020 at 9:39 am

    Good for Rachel, she is a hard worker. All my best.

  2. Michele Johnson on August 8, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    Beautiful home, inspiring story!!!!

  3. Michelle Leigh Smith on August 9, 2020 at 12:36 pm

    I love the inclusion of the interesting back stories. Thank you, great job!

  4. Rob Gayle on August 10, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    Came across this article and loved this story!! Rachel actually sold our home in Plano and found us our dream home. Never seen someone work so hard!!
    Thanks for sharing this story, truly enjoyed it.

  5. John on August 10, 2020 at 10:09 pm

    Will be looking into Chris. Thanks for sharing Candys dirt!
    – John

  6. Leah Chalfant on August 17, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    Chris is one in a million, when it comes to a builder and that is hard to find! His heart is in every home he builds and that’s apparent within minutes of speaking w him. And, he is truly a pleasure to work with!

  7. Kam on August 18, 2020 at 11:26 pm

    Will be checking out Chris Sandlin. Cheers Candy’s Dirt

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