Hi there, we live in a large loft in dallas, but since we are expecting we are thinking of moving into a house. I know for right now and at least the first year we have plenty of room ( 1400 plus sqft of open space) but are still considering it.
Does anyone have any recomendations for nieghbors hoods that are selling for $200,000 or less? We have lived in Dallas for 6 years and love lakewood, lake highlands, oak cliff ( some of the parts) and of course the M street area, but M streets are expensive and rent alot.
Any ideas would be great.
Hi! Try Old Lake Highlands or Lochwood - you can get a house in either for less than 200,000 and they are close to the lake. Lochwood is a littler cheaper - Old Lake Highlands is in the Hexter Elementary zone, which is a great little school.
Not really answering your questions, but just wanted to let you know that we lived in a loft when my son was 6 mon- 2.5 yrs. It was easier to keep track of him in a 1300 sf loft than my second son in a 2200 sf house. If you are considering anything outside of Dallas proper, we have houses in Plano for less than 200k with 1800-2200 sf. PM me and I can tell you my neighborhood. I know about 10 moms of preschoolers in my neighborhood alone.
Unfortunately, even in North Oak Cliff where I live you will be looking at a starter home in the $200K or less category.
Because I love love love everything about the community of Oak Cliff- for your consideration:
This is a great tudor in the very much up and coming (and safe) Elmwood:
http://www.davidgriffin.com/Detail.aspx?Id=298140
Foursquare Craftsman in Winnetka Heights- not a great redo, but very affordable
http://www.davidgriffin.com/Detail.aspx?Id=290835
Kessler Plaza
http://www.davidgriffin.com/Detail.aspx?Id=299638
If you're interested in OC, I would suggest getting a realtor who specialized in the OC as the areas vary so much in price point, safety, coming developments, etc.
Hi -
I lived in the M-streets for about 6 yrs, as a newlywed and while my kids were little. We rented at first, and then purchased a 1500 sq ft, 2 bed, 2 bath house, built in 1926 (no garage). When my oldest was starting Kindergarten (actually about a year before), we sadly realized that Lee Elementary was just not going to work. Stonewall Jackson Elem, and Lakewood Elem are fine. Unfortunately, at the time, the prices in those zones were prohibitive, but now that the market has turned some, you may be able to find something. Several of my friends with similar age children moved to Lake Highlands and HP. We moved to Plano in 2008.
My husband and I own our own company specializing in Mortgage Loan Analysis and Resolutions (basically we help people whose homes have dropped in value either liquidate without having to write a check, or help them modify the terms of their payment), and we picked Plano because it has not been affected by this down market (and for the killer public schools). The M-Streets and Lakewood have been hit and many people are selling short in the area. We, personally, sold our last home short in May of 2010 for $199,500 (paid $240,000 in 2004). So there are deals to be had.
I know the areas very well, and would be happy to offer any advice.
C.
P.S. I should explain, as well, that our Plano neighborhood is every bit as friendly, quirky, granola, etc. as the M-streets. I was totally panicked about fleeing to suburbia, but the only thing I miss is the gunshots of the inner-city. =)
