North Oak Cliff is one of the most sought-after areas in the DFW housing market, which makes it hotter than a fur coat in July. Houses regularly go under contract in a matter of days, and prices have increased substantially over the past five years in many of its neighborhoods.
The list of reasons to love North Oak Cliff could be its own blog post, but here are a select few:
- The huge array of houses, in a variety of architectural styles
- Unusual topography—actual hills!—and mature trees
- The kind of neighborhoods where people know the names of the kids two doors down, like Ravinia Heights, West Kessler, and Winnekta Heights
- Walkable neighborhoods, like Bishop Arts and Trinity Groves
- An abundance of older homes with character, stories, and distinct looks
- Proximity to downtown Dallas, Uptown, and other central areas of the city
- The sense of it being an “up-and-coming” area of Dallas, with charisma and energy
Because so many people have realized the charms of the area, finding a property for under $200K can be a challenge. But there are still neighborhoods in North Oak Cliff where’s that’s possible. Sunset Hill is one of them, where the 2-1 at 2752 Catherine St. is located, near Hampton and 12th Street.
This North Oak Cliff Tudor is 1,263 square feet, updated with a new kitchen, but still retaining wonderful vintage charm, like arched doorways and original light fixtures flanking the fireplace. It is newly listed by Matt Watson with Dallasy.com, LLC for $175,000.
Walk the wide boulevards of Sunset Hill and you’ll see many different styles of houses, from California Bungalows and Prairie foursquares to Spanish eclectic cottages and Tudors, like this house, which was built in 1927. Full-scale development began in Sunset Hill in 1913, and continued through the 1940s.
The neighborhood is bounded by Jefferson, Hampton, Clarendon, and Waverly.
The front door leads directly into the living room, which measures 16-by-12. This space feels so lively and fun, from the crisply painted white fireplace mantel to the eclectic staging. Those arched doorways are stunning, and keeping the trim white against the dark gray walls accentuates their unusual top peak. The fireplace is decorative, and adds a focal point to the room.
Wow, that color is eye-catching in the dining room, and serves to set off the second arched doorway and wainscoting on the wall. The guideline to “keep it neutral” when showing a house for sale helps buyers better imagine their own tastes and style in a space, but a bright color like this will help them remember it. The whole color palette of this Tudor is memorable and modern, and the refinished original hardwood floors run throughout the front living room, dining room, and bedrooms.
I’m impressed with the way the owners have kept the sense of the era in which this Tudor was built, while adding modern touches in a way that feels coherent and discerning. Examples are the crystal chandelier and contemporary table and chairs in the dining room, and the kitchen updates.
The galley kitchen eels surprisingly wide for a home of this era, and the flow from the dining room into the second living room is flawless. The update has added a dark tile floor, stainless steel appliances (including a gas range), built-in wine storage, and sleek white cabinets. Note that original door in the photo above, and the built-in shelves, which show how older features in a home can look sleek in a modern decor.
The second living room at the back of the house is a cozy space, measuring 15-by-9, with the same dark tile as the kitchen, lending a sense of one larger space, instead of two separate ones. It is defined by three walls of windows and a door with with a large glass insert, with white fabric Roman shades. So crisp!
The master bedroom is a delight, beautifully staged to make the most of the bright, open feel. It measures 14-by-14 and has a small closet, as it typical of the time it was built
This charming Tudor has one bummer detail, in my opinion: only one bathroom, which is teeny tiny and without much storage. It presents a challenge for couples or families because, well, duh. That said, look how cute the space is, with the pedestal sink and beadboard, an old-fashioned detail that makes the room feel cozy.
The second bedroom is slightly smaller than the master, measuring 14-by-10, and like everything else in the house, is staged with flair and personality.
The backyard of this North Oak Cliff Tudor has a cement slab for a patio area, and raised planter beds for the gardener, as well as a shed for storage. There’s no garage, because when the house was built, cars were a new thing—you don’t start seeing garages regularly added to houses until post-war.
Tell us your thoughts on this Sunset Hill Tudor, and why you love North Oak Cliff, in the comments!
