“Home is the nicest word there is,” proclaimed pioneer Laura Ingalls Wilder, and we agree with the sentiment. It’s particularly true when it’s a house as lovely as the updated Lake Highlands home at 10836 Ferndale Rd.
From the street, it looks friendly, with a big front yard, large trees, and a freshly painted exterior. But the interior is what really wows, with a vaulted ceiling in the living room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace, a totally updated kitchen, and a crisp, clean look throughout. Built in 1967, this traditional has been extensively renovated to reflect a more contemporary look and feel.
This 4-4 has 2,526 square feet on two stories, with a well-planned layout: the master and one bedroom are downstairs; the open staircase leads to a landing overlooking the den with its vaulted ceiling; the kitchen has new appliances, granite countertops, a breakfast area, and a huge pantry.
This house went under contract days after being listed by Kevin Caskey at Dallas City Center Realtors for $365,000, so let’s take a look at what made it such a hot item.
This updated Lake Highlands home’s neighborhood is one of its big selling points, in the White Rock North subdivision, near Walnut Hill and Audelia Road, inside the LBJ loop. It’s only one block away from the Lake Highlands Trail, which opened late last year and includes two miles of paved trail, and about five blocks from the 29-acre Lake Highlands North Park. This park offers a sprayground, pond, tennis court, trails, swimming pool, playground, handball court, pavilion with picnic tables, and a recreation center with fitness center.
The area is also located in Richardson ISD, a sought-after school district.
A entryway opens onto the formal living and dining rooms, which is pleasing with its neutral gray-taupe color, large windows, modern pendant light, and laminate floors that look quite a bit like the real deal.
The centerpiece of the house is undoubtedly this living room, with the dramatic vaulted ceiling, oversized brick fireplace, brick floor, built-in bookshelf, and open staircase leading up to a landing that overlooks the area.
A breakfast bar leads to the kitchen, and a glass door leads to the covered patio, deck, and backyard.
The kitchen area’s reno makes the most of its layout, with new stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, oil-rubbed fixtures, recessed lights, and so much counter space and storage. There’s even more storage in the breakfast room.
A separate utility with full-size washer-dryer connections and a half bath are off the kitchen, as well as the door to the attached two-car garage. 
The downstairs master suite is light-filled and spacious, with a recessed ceiling and large closet. The ensuite bathroom’s renovation makes it highly desirable with dual sinks on the granite vanity, fresh paint, tile floors, and a large walk-in shower with bench and recessed, tiled area for bottles. So serene. 
The other downstairs bedroom is being used as a study by the current owners and has a door leading to the master bathroom. 
Upstairs, two more bedrooms with new carpeting, fresh paint, and an updated bathroom that echoes the mater bathroom reno.
Finally, the backyard: it’s a fairly large space with mature trees, a covered patio, small shed, and wood deck. It could use some TLC, but the potential is there, with some fresh landscaping and a few upgrades.
Small wonder this updated Lake Highlands home went under contract so fast—over 2,500 square feet in a modern layout with tons of updates in a fantastic location for under $400K.
