What holds value? (Dallas, Bryan, Frisco: HOA, house, neighborhood)

[Scout3]

Just want to get an idea as to what Dallasites find desirable and what you guys think will hold the value or appreciate. I have come to understand the following (feedback is appreciated where my list differs from y'all's. Also, let me know what I missed):

* Homes with decent sized lots (ones where the house is surrounded by yard and a decent distance between homes)
* A corner lot
* Privacy
* A quiet and safe street/neighborhood
* A lot that has greenspace, park or golf course in front or back.
* A manageable-sized house (what is considered manageable in DFW?)
* A house in a planned community or a community where the residents understand that appreciates that keeping up their homes brings the best return for all. In other words a higher quality of life.
* Green construction

Feedback is welcomed!
Scout

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

While I'm not in Dallas yet, I can say 2 tings about your list: (1) I would never want a corner lot, too much yard space is wasted on the side; (2) HOAs are not in my future as I do not want someone telling me what decorations I must put out for Christmas, etc. I know a lot of people swear by HOAs to "keep up" the neighborhood but many of us avoid them like the plague.

[debtex]

Large lots, quiet streets, giant master suites, and good public schools are all desriable. HOA's and smaller size homes are often (but not always) egatives. Same goes for corner lots, which have twice as much traffic and twice the setbacks.

I don't think people really care about green construction, honestly. But there are practical considerations to lowering the summer AC bill that definitely have value to buyers.

[Scout3]

I understand about your perspective corner lots and HOA dues (or management fees) however, the alternative to a corner lot is to be surrounded on at least two sides by your neighbors.

Secondly, I agree with you about HOA dues. From what I understand, those who pay them do not feel they get their money's worth. Management fees are paid for access to community facilities such as Olympic sized pools and recreation.

Personally, I thought I would not want to pay HOA dues before I did my on the ground research in May but after looking at communities that are maintained and those that are not, I could tell that folks have different perspectives on what is acceptable maintenance.

Getting back to the original premise of my question is not so much personal preference but general perception of what makes a property valuable and what makes that property maintain its value or appreciate in the DFW area.
Thanks for the feedback.
Scout

[needsomeinfo]

location, location, location. and great schools.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by needsomeinfo

location, location, location. and great schools.

in case you missed the above post:

location, location, location.


The location is key, as the attributes mentioned by previous poster are a dime a dozen:

* Homes with decent sized lots (ones where the house is surrounded by yard and a decent distance between homes)
* Privacy
* A quiet and safe street/neighborhood
* A lot that has greenspace, park or golf course in front or back.
* A manageable-sized house (what is considered manageable in DFW?)
* A house in a planned community or a community where the residents understand that appreciates that keeping up their homes brings the best return for all. In other words a higher quality of life.

There are tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of homes in DFW that meet most of that criteria. Basic economic principles should apply: scarcity = value
-this does not apply to 95% of all suburbs/exurbs.


Great schools are in flux, I would send my kid to Woodrow Wilson, North Dallas High or Bryan Adams - I wouldn't have 10 years ago though.

[Scout3]

OK, I got it!

Which locations? I hear Park Cities fills this bill but are there other less expensive areas that do the job as well? I have no plans to become a socialite any time soon.

[jobert]

this is also a good resource: walkability.
This is purely walkability, but only pertains to residential/commerce density and proximity. for example, the area around White Rock Lake/Moss Park is not considered walkable, even though it's the largest park in Dallas. so take this with a grain of salt:

http://www.walkscore.com/rankings/Dallas

[lh_newbie]

Originally Posted by debtex

I don't think people really care about green construction, honestly. But there are practical considerations to lowering the summer AC bill that definitely have value to buyers.

I would say that people don't care about "green" building for the sake of it being green (e.g. low-VOC paint, renewable materials, recycled materials, etc). What they do care about is energy efficiency (e.g. radiant barrier, insulation, home wrap, high SEER and variable speed HVAC, good windows). As an example, all homes being built in Frisco must meet energy star standards, which means the home is designed to use 10% less energy than the "typical home"... however that's measured. Lower your bills = increased home value.

Brian

[Scout3]

This is where it gets personal for me. I am planning to install a solar roof at some point after I move in. They make roof tiles now that are solar cells. They are almost indistinguishable from typical shingles. I am not a fan of big AC bills. Of course nobody is but I want to do something about mine.