Oh my gosh, we are almost there! Saturday marks the official beginning of fall … finally. We deserve a break after a summer with 47 100-plus-degree days. This count is according to the official tally by the National Weather Service, and you can look at just how bad this summer was compared to others. You weren’t imagining it.
This summer, which we officially are still experiencing for two more days, counted 35 more days of at least 100-degree temperatures than in 2022. Too many for me, so let’s bring on the fall equinox — the point when day and night are equal as the sun crosses the equator.
In some cultures, it’s celebrated in big ways. I’m in favor of it returning as New Year’s Day as it was once observed by the French Republican calendar between 1793 and 1805. In today’s North Texas, we celebrate fall by putting a pumpkin or two on the front porch, finding our sweaters in hopeful anticipation of needing them, and allowing ourselves to drink those really sweet pumpkin-spiced beverages. Here’s a suggestion: celebrate with a tour of a few open houses.
Here’s to hoping you need a sweater Saturday and find mums adorning every corner of your universe as you visit these suggested open houses.
2212 Fairmount Avenue, Fort Worth
This cute house, located in the Fairmount Historic District, is within walking distance of trendy coffee shops and restaurants where you could happily sip coffee wearing a sweater — that is once the true fall weather arrives. Built in 1916, the Prairie-Mission-style house has been restored, yet retains its historic charm.
True to the style, there’s a large front porch where a rocking chair would allow a great spot from which to survey the tree-lined neighborhood. Inside the 2,451-square-foot house, the Queen Anne windows have been rebuilt to preserve the home’s character. The fireplace has been carefully rescued, with the mantel preserved. The fireplace bricks were rebuilt, and the gas plumbing was installed, making it fully functional for cool autumn evenings.
Pocket doors and hardware have been restored, while updates include a breakfast nook addition, white oak flooring, moisture-reducing dehumidifier, and a remodeled kitchen. This two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage, listed at $689,000, is ready for a cozy fall season and beyond.
This home, listed by agent Lori Gallagher with League Real Estate, will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
5119 Worth Street, Dallas
Here’s another historic home that’s seen a few falls before and a great place to enjoy another autumn, oh, and the other three seasons, too. It was built in 1913 in the Munger Place neighborhood of Old East Dallas.
The front porch stands ready to be decorated with pumpkins and mums and even offers space for seating to enjoy that pumpkin-spiced drink. Inside the 2,922-square-foot house are hardwood floors, a part of the prairie-style home.
The historic appeal remains, but this two-story with three bedrooms and three bathrooms has been updated for a modern lifestyle. Some bold color choices are part of the updates, and the kitchen has been remodeled with marble countertops and stainless steel appliances.
The backyard will be fab in the fall, but it’s obviously great for summer, too. When the temps return to 100 degrees — like we know they will — the swimming pool stands ready.
Price tag? It’s listed at $839,000.
Listed by Vincent Dvorin with Clay Stapp + Co., this house will be held open from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
8908 Oakmont Court, Flower Mound
Enjoying the fall sunsets as the weather cools off would be a bonus that comes with this estate sitting on almost two acres on a cul-de-sac in The Estates of Tour 18. The Denton County gated community also features a golf course, playgrounds, trails, and a restaurant.
The home’s 6,200 square feet offers its selling points in multiples of four — there are four large bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and a garage suitable for at least four vehicles. The French provincial home, built in 1998, includes a living room, family room, formal dining room, and office. And lots of corners to adorn with pumpkins and maybe a few potted mums, too.
Fall is a great time to enjoy the home’s backyard, but so are the other three seasons. The patio overlooks the golf course, and the pool will be a great refresher during a Texas summer. The house for all four seasons is listed at $2,990,000.
Spectacular views are part of the estate.
Listing agent Mark Nolan with Coldwell Banker Realty will hold this home open from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
