It all started in January....

As I began another day at the office, an excited family friend (and my Realtor), Ryan Streiff, called to tell me about a listing that hit the market about 24 hours prior to our conversation. I should preface by saying Ryan had indulged my recent interest for learning about Dallas' peak real estate areas. We would visit homes of interest so he could tell me about their advantages, and Dad could teach me what to look for structurally. Rarely did this experience result in purchase consideration. That was until this gem entered our lives....

The home is part of a post-war neighborhood built in the 1940's for soldiers and their families. Pier and beam foundations and better quality materials (mostly) are to credit for the longevity and strength of these homes. Tip: Pier and beam is commonly referred to as a poor foundation and associated with cracking walls. In reality, pier and beam is a great option because it offers a convenient crawl space for utility repair, and it's less affected by climate changes and shifting ground. It's unfortunate that the garage was not built with the same intent; but we were lucky that the dilapidated building was included since you have to have an existing structure and/or slab to build a garage in this neighborhood.

With a good understanding of the exterior, we were anxious to see what awaited us inside. As you breathed in the musty smell of old insulation and moved through rooms with walls thick from years of over-coated paint, you saw a house that never really changed from the day it was built in 1949. Sure, there was newer tile here and updated light fixtures there, but that was only makeup. Just as a gemologist can find a diamond in the rough, so could my Dad see the full potential of this home. That knowledge mixed with support from Chad, family and friends gave me the push I needed to make the final decision - bid on this house!

There were many bridges to cross before closing, but it was a great feeling to see my name next to the Owner's line at the end of the process. This house has already given me more than I anticipated.