Las Colinas/Hackberry Creek/other North Irving (Dallas, Plano: short sale, HOA fees) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

TexSun2Step · 08-09-2010, 05:54 PM

We recently posted in the forum about houses in Plano. The house we had a contract on fell through (it was a short sale and the lien holder and our mortgage company couldn't agree on a closing date--very protracted situation--we told them to forget the whole thing). So we are pre-approved buyers back in the market. Since that time, we have been looking in Hackberry Creek and Las Colinas, $300-400,000, based on inputs from some forum members. This is due primarily to the fact that our son and his family are in Southlake, and we work in downtown Dallas, and those areas seem to be a mid point. We really love Hackberry Creek but are not too enamoured of $2500-3000 HOA fees. We like parts of Las Colinas, but the homes are really too small for us and not crazy about the architectture, and have no yard. (Ideally would be a yard and a pool). Same for University Hills. Are there any other really nice neighborhoods in that general area? Our realtor doesn't really seem to know north Irving area too well. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

mSooner · 08-09-2010, 06:10 PM

Based on what you are looking for, why not try Coppell? I do have family that lives in Hackberry and they love it, though.

TexSun2Step · 08-09-2010, 06:21 PM

We looked at several in Coppell, and that is a very nice town. But the commute downtown from the Hackberry Creek and Las Colinas areas are supposed to be really easy.

Rakin · 08-09-2010, 07:03 PM

Coppell is really just minutes from Hackberry Creek, especially the east side. My wife used to work downtown and it was a 25-30 minute commute from our 1st home in east Coppell. Take a look in the Riverside Subdivision, it's not in the Coppell ISD but has a great location close to Major freeways and resales well.

I also believe those HOA fees are high but you're paying for those 4 entry gates to be manned 24/7. What you're looking for is a Plano type home and Hackberry is about it. I live in La Villita and you might find something there.

You mentioned a pool... be careful. There is a lot of extra things that need to be done in the clay expansive soils of LC. A poorly built pool could be a disaster.

Las Colinas was designed to be a business district and there's not much residential in the area.

Texan#1 · 08-09-2010, 07:46 PM

Cottonwood Valley? The University Park neighborhood (also gated) in University Hills is nice worth and looking at too. I personally love University Hills with it's diverse architecture, rolling and hilly streets, and quiet neighborhoods. I don't like the Plano-look lol

mSooner · 08-09-2010, 08:09 PM

Coppell really isn't much further--it's worth looking into

new2aus · 08-09-2010, 08:31 PM

As others have mentioned Coppell isn't really much further from downtown or Southlake than Hackberry.

We live in Coppell close to MacArthur & hwy 121 and are members of Hackberry Creek Country Club. I can make it to the club in 12 minutes from my house.

Also, most of Coppell has easy access to I-35 from Sandy Lake which should help the commute to downtown

Squirl · 08-09-2010, 08:55 PM

Moderator cut: can't post realty web sites except for realtor.com I live in Cottonwood Valley and you could find places here in your price range; we're pretty well located to the new rail stations. However our HOA fees are about the same. I'm okay with $200 a month HOA fees, I like guarded, gated security. I love Coppell, but it won't have rail service so you'll be driving about 15-20 minutes longer each way to either downtown or the rail station when its up and running. One thing, if you buy in Las Colinas be sure to get a pier and beam house. In our neighborhood, a large group of newer homes were built in the past 8 years and I believe everyone on an "engineered slab" has needed foundation work. Sandy Brown with Coldwell Banker is a good realtor in the Las Colinas, Coppell, Valley Ranch area.

TexSun2Step · 08-11-2010, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rakin

Coppell is really just minutes from Hackberry Creek, especially the east side. My wife used to work downtown and it was a 25-30 minute commute from our 1st home in east Coppell. Take a look in the Riverside Subdivision, it's not in the Coppell ISD but has a great location close to Major freeways and resales well.

I also believe those HOA fees are high but you're paying for those 4 entry gates to be manned 24/7. What you're looking for is a Plano type home and Hackberry is about it. I live in La Villita and you might find something there.

You mentioned a pool... be careful. There is a lot of extra things that need to be done in the clay expansive soils of LC. A poorly built pool could be a disaster.

Las Colinas was designed to be a business district and there's not much residential in the area.

Thanks we are looking at one in that Coppell subdivision tomorrow, looks really nice in the online photos. Realtor also sent us a listing in La Villita, just gorgeous but beyond our $400,000 cap (by about $100K) :-(

panacea82 · 08-11-2010, 09:37 PM

Did you look at Riverside Village in LC? $400K should get your a pretty decent size house. Darling homes have quite a few listed around or under $400K. But if you are looking for a pool also, then the lot size in Riverside Village probably would be too small for you.