After yesterday’s high winds knocking out power in just about every direction in Dallas, It has made the notion of moving to the country even more attractive. Of course, I wouldn’t want to move too far. But Celina is a healthy distance away without being out in the boonies.
Now, some farmhouse properties are just plain boring, outdated, and truly overdone. This home, however, is just perfect for a family who wants neighbors with a little bit more space between them, room to run around, and a pool, too.
Just a little bit north of Celina and west of Preston Road is this cute farmhouse at 8955 Santa Fe Trail that, while it has a definite country feel inside, could easily host some transitional furniture and more modern neutral paint. It has five bedrooms, four full baths, and more than 2,800 square feet on more than 11 acres. There’s a first-floor master suite, a large, open kitchen with oversized island, and two living areas. It’s marketed by Providence Realty Group’s David Whiteman for a recently reduced $499,999. This home, which is stuffed to the gills with updates, has been on the market for almost 100 days. After a $50K reduction, you know that these sellers are motivated.
I think this home is the perfect balance between close to town and open space. It feels luxurious, too, thanks to the crown moulding and large baseboards. There are gorgeous insulated hand-scraped oak floors throughout the first floor — an amazing touch that gives the home a warm feel despite its size.
The kitchen is gorgeous, with painted wood cabinets, granite counters, and a large stained wood island with a huge marble slab. Talk about luxury! There’s a commercial-grade five-burner gas cooktop with a potfiller, double convection ovens, a new Bosch dishwasher that doesn’t make a peep, a butler pantry, and fantastic built-in storage solutions. The tumbled travertine backsplash is a so-so touch, but I do love the tin ceiling tiles behind the range top.
There is a lovely and bright breakfast area, one of two dining areas in the home, which opens to the family room. This is the kind of floorplan that families are looking for, with open spaces that connect family members engaged in a variety of activities, with plenty of light through the windows to brighten all the spaces.
The master is on the first floor, and it feels big enough at 13 x 18. There’s a walk-in closet and a bathroom with dual sinks and a tub/shower. It’s not luxurious, but it’s big enough to get the job done. Maybe you could add a personal touch to the bathroom to make it feel a little bit more your own.
Outside there’s a nice little in-ground gunite pool with upgrades and a transferable warranty. There’s also a lovely deck with a pergola where you can grill while you watch the sun set. The foundation has had work recently, too, which is fantastic considering the soil in these northern areas. You’ll notice the bright red barn, which has recent paint with five stalls, a tack room and a hay room. There’s also a pond on the property that hasn’t gone dry in 20 years.
Honestly, considering the mess that Dallas is right now, moving to the country is mighty attractive. What do you think?
