Historic Craftsman Charmer at 5939 Richmond Has Wonderful Secret We Cannot Divulge

We hear it all the time: Dallas is loaded with cookie-cutter homes, one looking just like the other. Builders, those naughty peeps, scrape down homes with character then build new hogging the entire lot, which few can afford. Where is charm? Where is history? Where is something freakin’ green and ORIGINAL?   Grab your checkbook and get pre-approved because I have got a house for you! 

Actually, Kate McCoy of the Ebby Halliday Preston Center Office has one. You know, the elegant digs with Ginger Gill at the helm? Though they work right outside the honeypot, those ladies are all over town. This honeypot of a listing is in East Dallas. Almost 100 years old. And I am in love from the pea-green stucco exterior to original hardwood floors in most of the house, nooks, crannies and built-ins plus the kitchen, plumbing, and western windows all updated just last year. Which for this age home is huge. Plus WALKABLE  to Greenville Avenue and Tietze Park.   And sit down for this one: a WALK-IN MASTER CLOSET.  

Let me introduce 5939 Richmond Avenue to you, and again, save it, because this honeypie won’t last. Not even in MLS yet. Priced at $530,000, this home is as live-able as it’s brand new neighbors, which are going for upwards of $700.000.

  “Lots all around this home are listing at $450,000 and up,” says the agent, Kate McCoy. “That’s just dirt. This is a whole home. There are still improvements that could be made to this property to make it more lush, and you would retain every penny.”   There is, she says, room for a pool. The carport, which is super cute “Texas” style, has a concrete foundation and could be transformed to a future garage with extra living space and income above it — hello, Airbnb. Plus there is air-conditioned storage attached.   “And the walkability! This is truly a “come home, park the car, and never touch it” kind of home,” adds Kate. “Parents would love this, because the whole family can walk to dinner, breakfast, the park, yoga studio, or a parade.”

The lot is oversized at 185 feet deep and 50 feet wide, unique for the area. There is all wood fencing for privacy in a cute yard enveloped by huge trees.  Austin stone trims the flower beds and tree beds, and charming flagstone walkways enhance both front and back yards. Bonus, there are two back yard storage units. One is attached to the carport and it is air conditioned. Yes, you read that right.  The cool air is flowing. Your ski boots will survive! There is still more yard behind the storage areas, which makes for a great hide and seek area for the young and young at heart or a doggie run. Of note: super pet-friendly ‘hood.

  But the house! At 1526 square feet, there are three bedrooms, two baths, formals and a cozy laundry room – an actual room NOT washer dryer hookups in the kitchen. The front porch greets you with warmth and charm immediately, perfect place to host neighborhood wine gatherings. The porch floor is stained concrete with brick trim, has a ceiling fan, built-in shelving for books (a mini library!) and a cute bird’s nest in the eave. It is also blocked from the hot west sun, so pour another one.  

All bedrooms have the awesome, beautiful original 1923 hardwood floors. There are no fireplaces, which really helps with energy conservation: ​warmer in winter, cooler in summer.  Besides, California has all but banned them.   The living room has a darling built-in bookshelf, that is not original to the home, but most charming and (deep breath) holds a wonderful secret that only owners can know. And there is only one way to access the secret. Hint: every book tells a story. The kitchen is 10 by 11 feet galley-esque with the requisite granite counters, modern fixtures, stainless appliances including a gas range, a water line to fridge for ice, a built-in microwave, bar seating with very cool lighting. All cabinets are new cherry wood and lower cabinets have pull-out organizing shelves for pan lids, pots and cookie sheets. The kitchen is like Container Store central.

The utility room is seven by seven feet with a stacked unit to save space with a wall of windows looking at the backyard with a folding counter and beverage center: mothers will love this! There is a small wooden deck leading to the backyard. Yes, there are three bedrooms. All are 13 by 7 feet. The master also has a loaded spa bath with vanity, large travertine flooring, separate shower, jetted tub, and that walk-in closet. A secondary full bath is in-between the two bedrooms, which sports a wall of storage, all authentic. Whoever built this home in 1923 definitely had an eye to the future and knew that future generations would want someplace to store their stuff!    Updates include a complete foundation leveling in 2008 that carries a lifetime, transferable warranty. The roof was re-roofed in 2012, the west side windows were replaced with air-tight thermopane that block out all road noise or, as we say at CandysDirt.com, the “Urban Waterfall”.  

  “This home is not yet in MLS, ” says Kate McCoy, “but it will be Friday. I just cannot believe how fortunate I was to land such an incredible home that warms you up from the moment you see it, retains all that vintage charm that everyone wants, but has been updated with the creature comforts today’s buyers crave.”   Brokers can tour 5939 Richmond Avenue on Wednesday morning, June 5, from 10:00 a.m. to noon.