Your Expert Guide

Plano: Pair of top agents spreads the word about this family-friendly area

There are so many great places to live in North Texas that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.

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Both Patti Winchester and Maureen Steitle have lived in Collin County for more than three decades, and now they're seeing even more people discover the area as corporate headquarters like Toyota, Frito-Lay, and Hewlett Packard have begun calling Plano home.

"The draw to the area was similar to what it is today: great location to major highways, excellent schools, and the conveniences of shopping and entertainment," says Winchester.

"Not to mention affordability of housing," Steitle adds.

With 17 years in local real estate, the Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty agents have learned that people are flocking to Plano to do business and raise a family.

"Plano is a chameleon," says Steitle. "It changes colors and vibes as easily as we do — from outdoor shopping and nightlife in urban Legacy West to hidden nature walks through the trails at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. And the homes are just as versatile."

Winchester and Steitle offered up a few of their personal favorites about life in Plano. Here's their guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
The team notes the rooftop at Urban Crust pizzeria in downtown Plano as a favorite spot, as well as the fabulous patio at Cafe Istanbul at The Shops at Legacy.

"Hamburger lover?" Winchester asks. "We have you covered! Chip's Old Fashioned Hamburgers on the Boardwalk at Granite Park is our go-to."

Where to play
Legacy West offers fun-filled spots for outdoor shopping, happy hour, dining, and live music at the Box Garden at Legacy Hall.

Looking for a walk in the park? "A three-mile day hike or meadow picnic at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is perfect on a warm afternoon," says Steitle.

What to see
For more than 40 years, people have been making a pilgrimage to Collin County for the Plano Balloon Festival, which sets 30 larger-than-life hot-air balloons loose into the sky.

Where to live
"You might enjoy a traditional, older, heavily treed neighborhood like Willow Bend or Lakeside, but if your taste is modern or urban we also have plenty to offer, like a three-story rooftop villa at Legacy West," says Winchester.

"Plano offers a walk through the ages, with a selection of custom homes from the contemporary vibe of the '70s to the sprawling ranch style of the '80s, and even high-rise living at the Windrose Tower. If you live to golf, areas surrounding Gleneagles Country Club offer panoramic views and easy country club living," says Steitle.

There are also completely unique custom homes to be discovered in Plano, such as 6809 Mulhouse Ct., which the pair sold in the highly sought-after community of Normandy Estates.

"This was a very fun home to sell," says Winchester. "It featured a garage to thrill any car enthusiast, complete with lifts and custom floors. The outdoor area was a true oasis with a covered patio, built-in summer kitchen, and sparkling pool."

"Patti Winchester and Maureen Steitle are true pros," says one of their sellers. "They expertly handled every detail from staging to contract negotiations with finesse. We have worked on multiple transactions and I couldn't imagine a finer team."

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Patti Winchester and Maureen Steitle live, work, and play in Plano. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email winchestersteitle@briggsfreeman.com, or call 972-322-5010 or 972-333-4996.

Patti Winchester and Maureen Steitle

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

Patti Winchester and Maureen Steitle

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Extraordinary modern ranch in Grapevine trots onto market for $7.2 million

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

The Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine is on the market for $7.2 million.

A stunning, 10-acre North Texas property that's fit for a modern cowboy has just hit the market for $7.2 million: Called the Willow Wood Horse Farm, the equestrian paradise is located on West Kimball Avenue in Grapevine, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Dallas.

The ranch is a combination of elegant and thoughtful modern design paired with all of the practicality required of a fully functioning farm.

According to the listing, which is held by Burgher-Ray Ranch Group and managed by David Burgher and Harlan Ray, the ranch includes several fenced pastures, an enclosed and insulated shop storage building with concrete flooring, and a seven-stall horse barn.

A covered and irrigated riding arena is attached to the barn, every stall has its own turnout, and six of the stalls are 12 feet by 12 feet wide, and the seventh is designated as a foaling stall. An additional turnout for grazing is located adjacent to the barn, as well as a training pen.

Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, ranch for sale The horse barn has seven stalls with individual turnouts.Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

But the focal point of the entire estate is the 4,353-square-foot, three-story primary residence that sits at the highest point of the gently sloped property. The home was custom-designed and completed in 2022, featuring an exterior made of metal cladding, concrete, durable ipe hardwood, and glass.

From the front door, guests will see views that lead through the home's living areas and into the 3,000-square-foot back deck, past the 80-foot-long saltwater swimming pool, and out toward the pastures.

The chef's kitchen is outfitted with luxurious Gaggenau appliances, such as a steam convection oven, a conventional convection oven, a coffee machine, stove, dishwasher, a separate paneled refrigerator and freezer, and a warming drawer. A half bathroom and full butler's pantry is located to the side of the kitchen, which is equipped with a prep space and a dishwasher.

Additional features of the home include:

Koi ponds located on either side of the main door that welcome guests to the home
An open concept living space that contains the living room, kitchen, and dining rooms
A primary suite with a spacious walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom
Two additional bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
Soft opening/closing doors in all main bedrooms
Dynaudio speakers installed throughout the home
Geo-thermal heating/cooling system

A custom-built metal spiraling staircase connects all three levels of the home. The second floor includes a viewing area with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the covered porch and rooftop deck. The lower level leads to an "acoustically balanced" underground home theater featuring eight-foot concert walls, Dynaudio speakers, an Ember Audio sound system, a 250-bottle wine cooler, and a powder bathroom. The listing notes that this area could be converted into a storm cellar.

Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, ranch for sale The underground home theater has an impressive Ember Audio sound system with Dynaudio speakers.Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

A detached three-car garage is located next to the home, and has one EV charging station and two additional outlets for charging. Discreetly designed solar panels are hidden on top of the garage, which are capable of powering the entire residence.

The horse barn, irrigation system, and stock pond all run off of a water well located on the property, while the primary residence uses city water with a filtration system.

"Situated in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, just minutes from Lake Grapevine, Southlake, and an easy commute to DFW International Airport, this property affords someone the ability to have all the comforts of the city, while living just slightly removed from it all," the listing says.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

The Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine is on the market for $7.2 million.

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