Modern House Dallas

The Idea House

When Maribeth first suggested we look at the house, we almost declined. Not only was not in our targeted areas, it was quite a bit further North.

It is in Forestcrest Estates, right next to the girl's school Hockaday at Inwood and Forest. Forestcrest Estates is just north of Preston Hollow and is a neighborhood consisting primarily of well-maintained 1960's ranches. There is not as much infill as many of the other "in the loop" neighborhoods, so there is a feeling of nice continuity. Some of the neighbors are looking to preserve this.

The house was the September 1957 Better Homes and Gardens "Idea Home". It was featured on the cover of the magazine and it had a nice multi-page spread. As you might expect, it is a classic mid-century modern ranch.

Although a few updates have been made over the years (all of them ill-advised as far as I can tell), it hasn't been renovated. It is currently a rental property and a bit of mess.

The floorplan is great and it sits on a fabulous 1/2 acre lot with numerous nice, big trees. In fact, the house sits under a canopy of large live oaks, with one springing up from the entry courtyard. In its current condition, the house looks pretty "average", but the potential is obvious (at least to us).

It has a classic, mid-century modern plan, with public and private wings. In the public wing there are two living spaces with vaulted ceilings, anchored by the kitchen, all with large windows and doors "bringing in" the generous patio and large backyard. The private wing features three bedrooms and two baths. The master and a second bedroom both have access to a large side yard with second patio area. The homes entry forms the juncture between the public and private wings, for easy access to each, and there is an entry "courtyard" formed by the intersection of the house and the carport.

With such an excellent floorplan and lot, it is no wonder that the buyers were lining up with offers on day one! As soon as we saw it, we knew it was a diamond in the rough and a worthy of preservation and renovation.

The Hunt

We've been looking for a house for a couple of months now. We have been focused, but not too intense in our search, as we have a somewhat flexible timeline.

In that two months, we've found two other great properties that we've made offers on--one in Greenway Crest, the other in Shorecrest Estates, both excellent,if lesser known, neighborhoods. (Greenway Crest is adjacent to University Park, Greenway Park and Devonshire and Shorecrest Estates is on the SW side of Bluffview).

Both were competitive situations, and on the first we were too low (we think the buyer overpaid) and the second, the property was already under contract when we saw it, but made an offer anyway and took a back-up position just in case Buyer #1 walked or the deal fell through. He didn't and it didn't.

Perhaps the third time is the charm?

I have to plug our agent Maribeth Peters of Ellen Terry Realtors here, because she is superb. Her knowledge of the market is outstanding, particularly for the "intown" neighborhoods that interest us. She has an excellent network and often knows what is coming onto the market before it hits the MLS. In fact, she showed us this house the day before it hit the MLS, so we were able to get an offer to them before it "hit the computer". That next day, when it did hit the MLS, I think there were at least three showings and two other offers. This time we came out on top.

Anyway, I think her market knowledge, judgment, and professionalism are unrivaled, and I would recommend her without hesitation. She has been named one of Dallas' "Top Realtors" by D Magazine three years running.

Enough about the hunt. Let's talk about the house!

Hello World

We think we are buying a house. Our first house. It is a mid-century modern in need of a little TLC.

Thus this blog.

Like so many other housebloggers, we've decided to chronicle our adventures as home-buyers/owners/renovators. We also want a place to record and share our thoughts on our new life in Dallas and our new home.

But first a little history...