I love talking to people that love houses and restore them, and get so, so excited talking about them. It’s infectious. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when the home in question is as special as this Ryan Place home in Fort Worth.
Casey Creager and her husband, Michael, a master plumber, bought this house in 2015. It was “left for dead,” with a dilapidated back house that defied the laws of gravity. They were living in Fort Worth’s Crestwood neighborhood at the time, but there was something about this one — the huge lot, the endless potential, the tons and tons of work. They knew it was the one for them and here’s how much they knew it was THE ONE. Casey was due to give birth in two days, so they not only brought a new baby home, they bought a new home.
Casey said when she was in the hospital, she remembers hearing Mike on the phone telling the seller, “Look, we’re all in, but if I leave this hospital to deliver earnest money, my wife might not love it.” Ha. And that’s putting it mildly.
Fast forward a few years and Mike replaced all the plumbing and reconfigured the layout, which was odd to say the least. Casey said initially there wasn’t a single shower upstairs, just a lavatory. She said the only shower was where the kitchen is now – right off the dining room. Not exactly ideal. But, Casey said, that’s just one of the perks of being married to a master plumber. They reworked the rooms and created the perfect layout.
Casey said the back house was its own set of challenges. She said they had to essentially unbuild it before they could put it back together. It’s now a shop with a half bath.
The other structure on the property is a detached two car garage with an office and workout space and a half bath. Above the garage is a studio apartment with a separate entrance – Casey said they poured a parking pad, so the tenant has complete privacy. The studio also has a wait list a mile long.
Casey said overall the remodel came in phases. They tackled the interior first and salvaged what they could – the floors, the windows, the trim in the stairwell. After all, that’s the point of purchasing an older home – to retain as much of the original charm as possible. They did an exceptional job with handpicked wallpaper, custom wainscoting, and so many beautiful, vibrant colors throughout. This is their second green home and Casey said their friends joke that of course they painted it green. It’s perfect though, along with the contrasting cream casing and red trim.
This home was very much a labor of love and they say it’s bittersweet to leave. It’s such a unique property in one of the friendliest and fun neighborhoods in Fort Worth. The Creagers love it so much, in fact, they bought one just down the road – 2512 5th Avenue.
Casey works with short term rentals and said for a minute, she and Mike considered making this one a rental property, but Casey said no way, it’s too personal and besides, she can’t wait to meet the amazing new owners. Which could, of course, be you. Stop by 2600 Lipscomb Street on Sunday for an open house from noon to 2 p.m. Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l Realty’s Gwendolyn Harper has it listed for $797,000.
