We Dug Deep to Find Five Affordable Starter Homes in Fort Worth

Realtor.com pegs the median sales price for a house in Fort Worth at around $342,000 — down approximately 4 percent from last year — moving Fort Worth ever so slightly into buyer’s market territory. Some good news perhaps, but most affordable starter home buyers will still report frustration with the lack of appealing inventory, and the median home price is still a whopping 50 percent above where it was five years ago.

In response to that data, I challenged myself to the daunting task of finding five affordable starter homes at or below $350,000. Further criteria were an in-town or close-to-town location and extra appeal beyond the cookie-cutter builder norm. For your consideration are five houses and five neighborhoods worthy of budget-minded buyers’ attention.

Upgraded Classic Cottage in Oakhurst

Pictured above, 2228 Yucca Avenue is a four-bedroom, one-and-one-half bath built in 1938. As has often been observed, Oakhurst is a venerable old neighborhood with a strong neighborhood association, benefitting from a spate of upscale development nearby.

Prices have risen steadily but the obvious charm of the area and in-town location make Oakhurst a near surefire bet for price appreciation.

Open the door to discover a move-in ready, open-concept, 1,441-square-foot house that is completely updated. Too open for your taste? An inexpensive or DIY drywall job at the cased opening of the kitchen will do the trick.

Updates extend to the kitchen and bath with spanking-new appliances, fixtures, and fittings.

Nathan Pinkerton with The Sales Team, REALTORS DFW has priced 2228 Yucca Lane at $339,900.00.

Remodeled Bargain in The Heart of Westcliff

Incredibly, it’s still possible to find an appealing, if small, house in Westcliff but you need to be nimble. This midcentury stucco cutie with only 1,314 square feet at 4040 Carolyn Road has been on the market for three days and is pending.

This is a location story because being a mere mile and a half from TCU makes it a prime rental property. In fact, don’t count on an early move-in date. The property is currently being let for $3,000 per month with the lease expiring end of May.

With the limited square footage, going open concept proved an irresistible temptation in this three-bedroom and one-and-one-half-bath cottage. Enjoy the functionality of the updated kitchen in cheerful cadet blue with quartz countertops.

There are photographs of the bedrooms if you care to go to the listing. In the spirit of the season, I will charitably describe the decor as “collegiate.”

Denise Johnson of Compass Real Estate is offering 4040 Carolyn Road for $335,000.

Intriguing Midcentury Modern in River Oaks

Two of my picks aren’t technically in Fort Worth proper but are in incorporated municipalities within the city limits. River Oaks is experiencing greater attention not only because of its affordability but also its proximity to Lockheed.

Constructed in 1948, 400 Frontier Road has a bold Midcentury profile. At 1,896 square feet, this three-bedroom, two-bath house is the largest property and also the most affordable.

The interior is not without its quirky moments but the general ambiance is of bright and cheerful open space with many opportunities to create an exciting modern abode.

With its bold and beautiful color blocking and modern hardware, Frontier Road hands down wins the prize for most exciting bath.

Justin Brown with Perpetual Realty Group LLC has priced 400 Frontier Street at $265,000.

Updated Ranch in Westworth Village

It is becoming more and more difficult to find an affordable house in Westworth Village, our second city-within-the-city listing because Westworth Village has become the locus of a lot of upscale development. Location abutting some of the pricier Westside neighborhoods and significantly lower property taxes are a strong draw.

At nearly 1500 square feet, 5837 Tracyne Drive offers multiple living areas, three bedrooms, two baths and many updates including new roof flooring, roof, water heater and spacious kitchen with quartz counter tops. A further filip is the location near Trinity Trails.

Jason Perkins of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services is offering 5837 Tracyne Drive for $349,000.

Darling Cottage in Meadowbrook

And finally my fave, 5263 Meadowbrook Drive located on the charming main drag of the Meadowbrook neighborhood. I’ve always thought Meadowbrook was good value. Underpriced because of dated perceptions about safety in the Near East side (think Oak Cliff years ago) Meadowbrook has a rich repository of delightfully lovable vintage houses small and large.

The house has 1,710 feet of traditional space, four bedrooms, and two-and-one-half baths. The interior reminds me of the appealing little bungalows that used to dot Bluffview in Dallas. Paneling and vintage hardwoods give the cottage a feeling of welcoming warmth.

Happily preserved is the original 1951 bath with its stylish tub and lovely tile work.

The house has a new roof and HVAC system among several updates but is being sold as is, without repairs, so mark it as a fixer-upper.

Daniel Podina with Paragon Realtors has 5623 Meadowbrook Drive under active contract at $275,000.