The journey to renovate a 1924 Tudor all began with a lot of trust between a Dallas real estate agent and her client, plus a little faith in the Oak Lawn neighborhood.
According to listing agent RoseMarie LaCoursiere of Ebby Halliday Realtors, the owner was in Kenya for work and was in search of a new project for when he returned to the United States. In December 2014, he noticed that 3411 Douglas Ave., near Lemmon, had been sitting on the market for a while.
He knew that with the right amount of love, the property could be restored to its former glory. He purchased the property sight unseen, letting LaCoursiere be his eyes until he could get home to finish the project.
After a serious facelift, this home is hitting MLS once again on Friday, with a list price of $399,000. It is a cozy 1,298 square feet, with two bedroom and two baths, but it has big potential.
The classic style has been preserved, including the original hardwood floors, but there are plenty of bells and whistles to admire. For example, both bathrooms — one of which was added during the renovation — boast in-demand marble and gorgeous tilework.
The kitchen is a showpiece, with stainless steel appliances, marble countertops and slate floors. When the room was gutted, the owner discovered original cabinets hidden behind the walls. He was so taken by their simplicity that he modeled the new ones after them.
From the kitchen, the cook can easily chat with kids doing homework or friends watching television in the living room. Although there is not a garage, there is a gate leading owners to a private parking area on the side of the house. Less sexy — but equally important — updates include a new roof and up-to-date electrical.
"It was a really tough decision for the owner not to live in the property himself," LaCoursiere says. "But with the completion of this project, it is time to move on to the next."
A "before" shot of the living room.
