smjt2013
newbie
Posts: 2
Reg: 04-24-13
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04-24-13 02:42 PM - Post#160413
I am not sure which forum to post this in...but here goes. My husband and I are considering buying a home in Allen. We are in our mid 40s, no children and 4 small house doggies. Our budget is no more than about $320,000 and we definitely need a good sized yard for the pups to play. We are looking for minimum of about 2800 sq ft and we'd love a massive yard but it is looking like most are around 8000 sq ft. We definitely do not want a pool! Can anyone make suggestions on some of the best neighborhoods for us? We want one that is well kept. Husband commutes to Garland for work but we don't really think it matters where we live in Allen. Also, I am trying to figure out which home builders to consider and which to avoid. We are into contemporary, simple home design. Please offer any suggestions you may have. Thanks so much!
Edited by smjt2013 on 04-24-13 02:43 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Jeremy
enthusiast
Posts: 254
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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04-24-13 03:03 PM - Post#160414
In response to smjt2013
We have a Grand home and it has it's good and bad compared to other builders. The home itself is nicely built but dealing with Grand was difficult to say the least.
I'm not sure what neighborhood has large yards in Allen. Maybe on the West side of 75 but a large yard will stretch that budget in Allen. Any neighborhood in Allen is good. I know they are going to build a new development near Curtis MS so you may want to check with the builder to see yard sizes.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 908
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-24-13 03:10 PM - Post#160415
In response to Jeremy
Unfortunately, there's not much simple/contemporary style housing in Allen. Most of the inventory is ten years old. To get that look (which is what I love too) you're going to have to remodel.
I've been looking in that price range as well, and almost everything still has brass fixtures and/or black appliances. Also, everything was "old world" and "tuscan", so you won't find much sleek.
As mentioned above, large lots are hard to come by. You'll need to look for a cul-de-sac or corner lot.
Good Luck!
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smjt2013
newbie
Posts: 2
Reg: 04-24-13
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04-24-13 03:20 PM - Post#160416
In response to StacyLynn624
Thank you both so much. I just read on another forum that the commute from Allen going to Garland can be terrible quite often. Ugh, that isn't going to work very well for the husband! Thanks for the info and I'm sure I will have many more questions.
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Jeremy
enthusiast
Posts: 254
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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04-24-13 03:43 PM - Post#160417
In response to smjt2013
Not sure what forum you read but I live in East Allen and work in Garland at Jupiter and Miller.
It takes me 30 minutes with school zones and never getting on 75. I take Jupiter in Allen all the way to Garland.
When we were looking at homes we also looked at Rockwall. However there was a bad freeze that year and the bridges were unsafe so most people had to either drive way around the lake or wait until around noon when the bridges thawed. I recommend Allen over any city in DFW.
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V-Girl
enthusiast
Posts: 2817
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 07-12-01
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04-24-13 03:46 PM - Post#160418
In response to smjt2013
You might want to look in Wylie.
Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it. 
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 908
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-24-13 06:56 PM - Post#160423
In response to V-Girl
Have you thought about looking in Lake Highlands? The commute to Garland would be nothing, and there's lots of mid-century modern and 70-80's contemporaries that have either been fully remodeled or you can get cheap and totally redo to your taste. The lots are bigger and there's trees. You could get a good remodel candidate a little less than that price range and get some instant equity with a remodel.
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3684
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-24-13 10:47 PM - Post#160426
In response to StacyLynn624
I would look in Murphy/Wylie area. Lower cost of home, but more land. School district can be hit or miss, but yi don't think that is a factor for you.
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Allensince1993
enthusiast
Posts: 172
Reg: 06-06-12
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04-25-13 07:26 AM - Post#160433
In response to smjt2013
Whatever you do, make sure you work with a full-time experienced Realtor. In this market many buyers aren't discovering new listings quick enough and then missing out when wanting to make an offer.
Explore the overall benefits such as commute time, school system (for resale value), parks, low crime rate, etc. Sometimes driving 30 minutes to work to live in a 'better' area is far more valuable then living 5 minutes from work.
Ask around for a Realtor reference and I'm sure you'll find a good one; one that will make sure you're one of the first to see the house and get the right deal.
Lastly, since you're in the early stages (trying to locate an area), make that drive during the times you'll be commuting. Experience firsthand so you can make sure you're comfortable.
Good luck!!!
James DeLaGarza
Realtor/Broker since 1992 |
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Jeremy
enthusiast
Posts: 254
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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04-25-13 08:14 AM - Post#160434
In response to Allensince1993
Explore the overall benefits such as commute time, school system (for resale value), parks, low crime rate, etc. Sometimes driving 30 minutes to work to live in a 'better' area is far more valuable then living 5 minutes from work.
Good luck!!!
I fully agree. A 30 minute drive is better than living in a less desireable area.
Murphy is nice as someone pointed out but can be expensive. Wylie also has some nice neighborhoods... just be aware of the neighborhoods around the one you like.
When we were shopping we had moved from The Woodlands into an apartment in North Garland near Lifetime Fitness. Once we narrowed down where we wanted to live I would leave really early in the morning to go to one of the areas and then drive in to work. That would let me see what the commute would be like during the time I would be driving. Making the drive at noon is different that 7am or 5pm.
Even though you do not have children in school, keep in mind that if one day you need to or choose to sell your home, school districts matter.
The Firewheel area has some nice homes but 78 gets really really backed up during rush hours. Also... as I mentioned... look at the homes around the neighborhood you like. We really liked a Grand Homes community in Sachse but as I left the neighborhood we found ourselves on a street with really run down homes and old farms. They could have been the nicest people in the world... but that would not have helped our property value.
Another thing to consider is taxes and insurance. Collin county has higher property taxes (overall) than Dallas county but the Auto and Homeowners insurance is lower due to less auto and property crimes. My insurance company explained that to me.
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5685
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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04-25-13 01:59 PM - Post#160449
In response to smjt2013
Thank you both so much. I just read on another forum that the commute from Allen going to Garland can be terrible quite often. Ugh, that isn't going to work very well for the husband! Thanks for the info and I'm sure I will have many more questions.
Shop around on the southeast side of Allen and it's not a bad drive to Garland from there. Straight down Jupiter or cut over to Shiloh.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9075
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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04-25-13 02:28 PM - Post#160450
In response to smjt2013
If you want a large lot, you might want to check in the area east on Bethany and south of Bethany which is actually Parker, but still Allen zip code. You won't find Parker using whitepages.com or Google maps. It will either be Allen or Plano. But, the yards out there are really good sized. I'm sure there are people here who can name the different neighborhoods out there. There are also homes in Lucas and Fairview with large lots that you might be happier with than a postage sized city lot. But the Parker area would be more convenient getting to Garland.
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3684
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-25-13 03:36 PM - Post#160455
In response to denisew
Those areas are all nice, but from my experience they are well out of the price range they are looking.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9075
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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04-26-13 06:12 AM - Post#160471
In response to mgrayar
Well, I'm not a realtor, but just know they have bigger lots out there. We haven't been in the home buying market for over 17 years, so things have changed a bit.
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bbaker
enthusiast
Posts: 651
Loc: allen,tx.,usa
Reg: 09-08-00
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04-26-13 08:14 AM - Post#160474
In response to smjt2013
I think we have your house but it's not for sale. ~2600 sq ft. house, oversided pie shaped lot, huge back yd (no pool) and a 42 ft. fully insulated garage, fully decked attic, extended patio (covered). east Allen near Joe Farmer. We got lucky 13 yrs ago.  Our agent knew hubby was looking for the longest garage he could get for his bass boat (he had his tape measure with him) Anyway the original owners had garage, patio, everything customized for his business (I think). We even lucked out with custom wood plantation shutters througout the house plus other custom items. Don't think we'll be selling though. we started out with 3 kiddos in HS. All have left the nest and we have one 6 lb fur baby. I guess my point to all of this is that if you get an agent to help you, you might be able to find something in east/west Allen that will meet your requirements. Maybe something that has been "customized" like we did.
bbaker
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2689
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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04-26-13 11:31 AM - Post#160481
In response to StacyLynn624
Have you thought about looking in Lake Highlands? The commute to Garland would be nothing, and there's lots of mid-century modern and 70-80's contemporaries that have either been fully remodeled or you can get cheap and totally redo to your taste. The lots are bigger and there's trees. You could get a good remodel candidate a little less than that price range and get some instant equity with a remodel.
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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Mrs. Tex
enthusiast
Posts: 282
Loc: Allen
Reg: 11-01-07
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04-26-13 12:15 PM - Post#160484
In response to vrs
My folks are in the Hillside area of Dallas. Great neighborhoods, all have yards & many are redone in the modern style & walking distance to White Rock. Of course you'll be governed by the Dallas City Council so pick your battles.
Hillside is on the West side of the lake, head East & pick up Garland Rd/78 & your in Garland in 15 minutes
Edited by Mrs. Tex on 04-26-13 12:23 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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PartyOfEight
enthusiast
Posts: 168
Reg: 12-09-07
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04-26-13 12:51 PM - Post#160488
In response to Mrs. Tex
I've been pleasantly surprised by the offerings in Murphy lately. A few years ago, you could drive right through Murphy and not even realize it was a city. Today, they have a well organized growth plan and appear to be an up and coming place to live.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9075
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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04-26-13 09:37 PM - Post#160503
In response to PartyOfEight
Well, there you go. Murphy might be a better deal! And, it is closer to Garland. But, there are homes in Allen that are nice and have larger yards. They just might need some updates to get the style you want.
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civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9451
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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04-27-13 04:34 PM - Post#160519
In response to PartyOfEight
I've been pleasantly surprised by the offerings in Murphy lately. A few years ago, you could drive right through Murphy and not even realize it was a city. Today, they have a well organized growth plan and appear to be an up and coming place to live.
Murphy is nice. Of course they can never be big being locked in and small in sq miles, but they will fill up. 
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