Why the Unusual Castle Architecture? (Rowlett, Allen: subdivision, professionals, moving)

[KBilly]

We had our first hail in 3 yrs in our area 2 weeks ago. Small, soft, 10 minutes worth.

[castlelover]

I really don't think castles will be out of style in 5 years, after all, they have been treasured for well over 1000 years or longer. By the way, are you available for moat digging? I just had my dragon flea dipped, and my knights are out of town on a joust.

[harishv]

My wife and I are moving to DFW from Tucson, AZ and both of us were completely thrown by the % of rear entry garages and how popular they are in TX. In Tucson, every home is a front entry garage. All the reasons I have seen so far about why people like the rear entry garage have to do with either how the front of the house looks with the garage versus without the garage or the privacy advantage of entering through the rear as opposed to the front. To me, the front is the perfect place for the garage because its the least used part of the entire property and having the garage in the rear completely takes away from a bigger backyard for a pool/patio whatever! How many people actually stand in front of the house and keep staring at it when they are living in it? I understand the need to have a visually appealing house, but it seems like a small thing to give in exchange for the best use of land and making the home more functional, which to me ranks very high on the advantages of having a house to begin with. I totally respect everybody's views on the subject and am open to ideas. Are there any other reasons to have the garage in the back?

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by Keikis

We just took an initial drive through the McKinney/Frisco area and liked what we saw in general, but what is the deal with castle architecture of many of the homes? We really don't want a home that has silly turrets or a cylindrical tower with conical roof, and can't imagine that the resale of a house like this would be great ten years from now.

Just wondering what the rest of you think...

I don't like the French chateau look either; it looks ridiculous on such tiny lots.

[castlewood]

Originally Posted by harishv

My wife and I are moving to DFW from Tucson, AZ and both of us were completely thrown by the % of rear entry garages and how popular they are in TX. In Tucson, every home is a front entry garage. All the reasons I have seen so far about why people like the rear entry garage have to do with either how the front of the house looks with the garage versus without the garage or the privacy advantage of entering through the rear as opposed to the front. To me, the front is the perfect place for the garage because its the least used part of the entire property and having the garage in the rear completely takes away from a bigger backyard for a pool/patio whatever! How many people actually stand in front of the house and keep staring at it when they are living in it? I understand the need to have a visually appealing house, but it seems like a small thing to give in exchange for the best use of land and making the home more functional, which to me ranks very high on the advantages of having a house to begin with. I totally respect everybody's views on the subject and am open to ideas. Are there any other reasons to have the garage in the back?

As a new Dallasite, I would like to mention that I too, have lived in Arizona at one time (Phoenix), as well as every corner of the United States. I can say that I agree with the idea of the architcture here, it is very unique, very beautiful, and oh so glad that most homes do not have garages for their home-front. Garagescapes are a thing of the past, when owning a car was a status symbol, and if you had a garage, then it meant you must have a car. Garages do nothing for curb appeal. My home, a tudor, has the garages in the front, not because we built them that way, but because it was the house available next to the pond with a fountain, the reason we purchased it. Fortunately, the style of the house camoflauges the garages somewhat. Garages can also be built on the side of the house, made to look like the home's living space is actually larger. Though you may not sit outside gazing at the front of your house, everyone else sees it....and wouldn't you prefer to see a lovely archetectural home rather than a garage across the street?

[castlewood]

Dallas Doesn't Do Garagescapes

As a new Dallasite, I would like to mention that I too, have lived in Arizona at one time (Phoenix), as well as every corner of the United States. I can say that I agree with the idea of the architcture here, it is very unique, very beautiful, and oh so glad that most homes do not have garages for their home-front. Garagescapes are a thing of the past, when owning a car was a status symbol, and if you had a garage, then it meant you must have a car. Garages do nothing for curb appeal. My home, a tudor, has the garages in the front, not because we built them that way, but because it was the house available next to the pond with a fountain, the reason we purchased it. Fortunately, the style of the house camoflauges the garages somewhat. Garages can also be built on the side of the house, made to look like the home's living space is actually larger. Though you may not sit outside gazing at the front of your house, everyone else sees it....and wouldn't you prefer to see a lovely archetectural home rather than a garage across the street?

[BstYet2Be]

I don't believe it's the garage itself, but the ones left open with loads of junk spilling out that people find less aesthetically appealing, especially in the front.

[nsumner]

Originally Posted by harishv

How many people actually stand in front of the house and keep staring at it when they are living in it?

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. Thank you!!!

Let me give you another perspective at rear entry garages. Typically neighborhoods with rear entry or swing entry garages (J-drive) appreciate better than those front entry and the reason for that is: curb appeal!!! On trash day, you don't see 2 gigantic trash containers in the front, when people have to work on their cars, it's not so aesthetically pleasing to see that in the front.

The only exception to the rule about the property appreciation comment above is if the property backs to a golf course, water or some other good view.

[chitty]

we are looking for our first house and I have to admit I wasn't pleased with these huge houses!!...I'm a modest humble person and would like my home to reflect that...they were just to big.

[ladysrodgers]

I find there to be a real shortage of single level homes in this area. I would love to buy a house within the next year, but I don't want a 2-story, and don't need a mansion.

Another problem is when you do find a single story home, they're wedged between 2, huge 2 story homes with great views into your backyard, or windows.

I will probably look at a 3 bdr 2 bath just for the sake of resale value, but in actuality, a 2 bdr 2 bath would be all I need.