Newly Engaged Couple Consolidates in Preston Hollow
The Homeowners: Alicia Dawson is a real estate broker with Alicia Dawson Real Estate Group; Kerry Williams is the founder and CEO of Beacon Systems.
Former Pads: A 1930s duplex in University Park and a four-car-garage house in Colleyville
Scored: A 5,037-square-foot new-build in Preston Hollow for $1.735 million
The Hunt: After getting engaged last year, the couple decided to consolidate households. Kerry, who had lived in Colleyville for nearly two decades, volunteered to move to Dallas to be closer to Alicia’s work. They started looking at houses in University Park, Devonshire, and Bluffview, but Alicia knew that because of the tight market, they couldn’t make an offer until Kerry’s house was under contract.
The Deal: Kerry found a buyer for her traditional house, furniture and all, then things got serious. “We almost bought a house at Preston and Boca Raton,” Alicia says. “It was a Mediterranean on a great-sized lot, but it needed a lot of work.” Instead, they zeroed in on a modern farmhouse under construction by LRO Residential. They made an offer within a couple of days and closed so quickly that they were able to customize some of the finishes. “We love the area,” Alicia says. “It has lots of trees and we’re right by the park, perfect for Louie and Fergie, our English bulldogs, and Lindy, our Pomeranian.” Sadly, the bulldogs were too plump to be held for the photo.
Bachelor Sells Century-Old Home to Rent New Uptown Pad
The Homeowner: Adam Hollins is a premium sales executive at American Airlines Center.
Former Pad: A 1915 bungalow on Richard Avenue in Lower Greenville
Scored: A 644-square-foot, one-bedroom on the 16th floor of the One Uptown apartments for $2,270 a month
The Hunt: Hollins bought his fixer-upper in 2006 and did several major remodels over the years. Hoping to make a profit while it was still a seller’s market, wanting a change in social scenery, plus the possibility that he might soon leave the city—all prompted Hollins to set his sights on luxury rentals near downtown. “I thought I’d live the best life in Dallas while I still can,” he says.
The Deal: In late February, Hollins toured several high-rises, but the brand-new One Uptown building won him over with floor-to-ceiling windows on all outside walls, wraparound decks, walkability to Whole Foods and his work, and, most important, a relaxed policy on breaking a lease. Hollins gave away most of his furniture and began enjoying his new view within a week.
Family Makes Strategic School Zone Move
The Homeowners: Cantrell Thomas owns a tax consulting firm; Tracee Thomas is a corporate attorney.
Former Pad: A 12-year-old brick traditional in Frisco Heights
Scored: A 4,068-square-foot, five-bedroom Shaddock home in Frisco’s Villages of Stonelake community
The Hunt: The Thomases had long been eyeing the newer subdivision cropping up across from theirs, and then they had a greater reason to move: the high schools were rezoned, and they wanted to keep their oldest son at Independence.
The Deal: Beginning in February of last year, the Thomases looked at 15 houses in their son’s school zone. They were outbid on two offers, and another home they loved was priced $50,000 over market value. Finally agent Tyree Taylor showed them a recently built two-story by Shaddock Homes that had all the bells and whistles—high ceilings, a game room, a large kitchen. “It felt like fate because the house had been on the market for a couple of months,” Tracee says. “But I think you just don’t have the motivated buyers out there in the $550,000 and up range.”
Couple Falls in Love at First Open House
The Homeowners: Josh Espinosa is an attorney; Maddie Espinosa is an inventory planner; Buckley is a goldendoodle.
Former Pad: A two-bedroom rental in Uptown’s luxury high-rise The Taylor
Scored: A 1,568-square-foot, updated 1921 Craftsman in Kessler Park for $400,000
The Hunt: The Espinosas were laser-focused on finding a starter home in Kessler Park. “It’s family-oriented and neighborly,” Maddie says. “Families are out on their front porches, and kids are riding around on bikes.” After thinking about homeownership for a couple months, the Espinosas called their real estate agent, Taylor Johnson, to let her know they were getting serious. She sent them a handful of open houses, including a cute Kessler Park two-bedroom.
The Deal: The house was put on the market that Friday, the couple drove by it Saturday, and they went to the open house that Sunday. They were immediately taken. “Our Realtor did a lot of research,” Maddie says. “Homes in the area don’t stay on the market very long and we wanted to go in strong.” On Monday, the Espinosas offered $1,000 over asking, and when the sellers accepted the following day, their house hunt came to a quick conclusion.
First-time Buyers Learn That 175th Time’s the Charm
The Homeowners: Jacob Haldeman is a broadcast graphic designer and training coordinator; June Haldeman is an e-learning trainer.
Former Pad: A two-bedroom in The Village Dallas apartments
Scored: A 1,578-square-foot brick ranch in north Garland’s Camelot neighborhood for under $200,000
The Hunt: The Haldemans’ tale is a whopper. Beginning in October 2015, the newlyweds saw 174 homes all over North Texas (even as far north as Little Elm), and wrote 21 offers and three backup offers. “There were more than a few times we would like a house and by the time we got back to the car, we would find out there was already a cash offer on it,” Jacob says.
The Deal: After 46 weeks and four days of searching, made only more challenging since Jacob works nights, the Haldemans were able to pin down a house in Garland within Richardson’s school district. A couple of the ways they wooed the sellers: they offered more than 10 percent in earnest money and agreed to pay the difference in appraised value up to $7,000. “Not everyone is willing to pay over an appraised value,” says the Haldemans’ real estate agent, Candace Whitsitt. “But if you look at Camelot’s impressive numbers, it won’t be long before they recoup that deficit, and I think they’ve already surpassed it.”
