If you want to see the power of a smart renovation to increase a home’s market value, look no further than today’s Thursday Three Hundred, a Lake Highlands reno at 9911 Estate Ln.
This ranch-style house sold in August 2010 for $190,000. Today, it’s listed by Travis Finlan at Ebby Halliday for $350,000.
Obviously, the market has changed dramatically in the past five years, and the increase also reflects the popularity of the Lake Highlands area. But the renovation helped change it from a dud to a stud.
This 1962 home is a 3-3 with 1,753 square feet, located in the North Lake Estates neighborhood near Audelia and Walnut Hill Lane. The house is zoned for Richardson ISD, consistently ranked near the top of all Texas school districts.
The updates started with a total interior gut and larger overall footprint that includes hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, customizable Elfa shelving, low-E windows, tons of storage, and a hardwired security camera system with smartphone viewing capabilities. Let’s take a look inside.
The drive-up appeal of this Lake Highlands reno feels jaunty, from the brick-lined sidewalk and garden beds bursting with pansies, to the new front porch walk-up and fresh white paint.
Lawn maintenance is easy with a sprinkler system with rain and freeze sensors, a green feature.
The entryway is all about storage, storage, storage, with floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Because the house has a smaller footprint, that kind of space is a major bonus.
The renovation increased the house’s size by almost 200 square feet; the original footprint was 1,562 square feet. The whole house was gutted and the layout reimagined to make the best use of the space. Now there’s an easy flow from one room to another in the front portion of the house, with hardwood floors throughout. Recessed lights; light, neutral colors; and lots of windows also keep the space bright (and those windows are low-E, which will help keep energy costs down). Love that wraparound fireplace in the living room!
The kitchen is thoroughly updated, with new cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a modern island-style vent hood. There is a breakfast bar, as well as a breakfast room. All the appliances are KitchenAid and the cabinet handles and pulls were chosen to match that brand.
There was a time in my life when I would have said the kitchen counters were my favorite space in this house because they look great for dancing. But these days, that utility room has my vote!
It’s an cozy space at the end of the hallway near the bedrooms, measuring 11-by-5, with full-size W/D hookups, the same white subway tile backsplash and granite counters as the kitchen, and a sink. And look at all those cabinets! If you’re someone who does endless loads of laundry, this room looks totally dreamy. It even has extra soundproofing so none of the whirrs and buzzes of laundry machines can be heard in the master.
The master bedroom is 15-by-11, with a recessed window, being used for a desk by the current owners. The hardwoods are in all three bedrooms, a rarity in many renos, where carpeting is installed instead. The walk-in closet has custom Elfa shelving. The ensuite bathroom feels spotless and bright, with so much cabinet space! There are also double sinks, granite counters, and a new white tile floor.
The second and third bedrooms both measure 11-by-11 and have recessed lights, along with ceiling fans. The second and third bathrooms feel consistent in their updates with the master bathroom: clean and inviting.
The backyard has a small porch with a door from the living room, and the two-car garage is in back (it has a built-in workbench). Several mature shade trees and a tall privacy fence shelter the yard from the outside world, and its modest size means low maintenance.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this Lake Highlands reno—to me, the house feels comfortable and friendly. Leave a comment!
