With 12 counties, more than 200 cities and
a population of nearly million, there’s no
doubt that’s a lot of area to cover. Each
county and city has its own unique life-style, identity and culture, and that can be
a dizzying prospect for those new to town.
But the good news is that, for residents
and those relocating to the Dallas and Fort
Worth areas, that kind of explosive growth
has meant even more housing options –
from suburban neighborhoods and small
towns to planned communities and downtown, urban living.
Housing is affordable here, too. Overall,
the Dallas/Fort Worth area has a low
cost of living that’s typically several
points below the national average and
considerably lower than major east and
west coast cities. Refer to our Cost of
Living comparison in this guide for a
more comprehensive chart to compare
other costs of living here, like healthcare,
groceries, transportation, and more.
Home prices in the DFW metroplex
have also stayed relatively stable during
the recent economic recession – without
either the rapid price escalation that
occurred on the West and East Coasts,
or the plunging of home values that
happened in other regions. The fact is
that the strength of the DFW market is
the result of a diverse economic base that
has kept unemployment figures below
national levels – and that has also kept
area housing affordable.
HOUSING OPTIONS FOR ALL
The first step is deciding on the kind of
home you want – and the metroplex offers
plenty to choose from, like single-family
homes, high-rise downtown lofts, garden
homes, condominiums and zero-lot line
homes. Selecting the perfect home really
comes down to individual choice and preference about the type of ownership and the
style of home that will best suit an individual’s or family’s lifestyle.
Single-family homes, garden homes and
zero-lot line homes are built on individual
lots – and the main difference is the size of
the yard. Single-family homes typically have
front and back yard areas, while garden
homes and zero lot line homes have little or
no yard and therefore no yard maintenance.
Instead, these homes offer owners small
terraced areas or patios they can choose to
landscape. Garden and zero lot line homes
may be built within 10 feet of each other,
or within five feet of the lot line, and often
share a common fence. Two attached single-family homes on one lot are considered a
duplex, and give the owner the option to live
in one half and rent the other.
Townhomes may be one-story structures,
depending on the lot size, but are usually
two-story homes constructed in rows to
avoid a “bowling alley” feeling in the design.
Usually, townhomes share sidewalls, with
unobstructed front and back entries and
small lawns or patios.
Condominiums and lofts offer even less
outdoor upkeep. While the homeowner is
responsible for indoor maintenance, the exterior is the responsibility of a management
company appointed by the homeowner’s
association. Condominiums are often gated
communities with more homes on the lot,
while the homeowner’s association assures
the property maintains its value. The difference between a loft and a condominium is
that a loft is usually found in the downtown
area as part of a high rise building, while
condos may be built on a regular lot and
share a common wall, similar to a duplex or
an apartment.
RENTING: TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
The idea of renting before committing to
a home purchase makes good sense for
newcomers who want to learn more about
the Metroplex and the surrounding communities. Corporate housing gives renters
unique living options, and allows time to
investigate different areas, school districts,
and living options. There are several excellent sources to help unravel the intricacies of
renting property in Texas.
The Texas Tenants Union in Dallas (214-823-
2733) hosts free weekly workshops discussing
tenants’ rights, and provides written information, counseling and referral services. Although
located in Austin, the Austin Tenants Council
website offers detailed information about Texas
property code and tenant-landlord information
at www.housing-rights.org. You can also find
more information from the Attorney General of
Texas Office of Consumer Protection at 800-621-
0508 or online at www.oag.state.tx.us.
BUYING A HOME
Before settling on the home of your dreams,
it’s important for future homeowners to
understand the basics of Texas real estate
law. In Texas, a homestead is defined as “the
place of residence for a family or individual
and is secure from forced sale by general
creditors.” The Texas Constitution guarantees that the only way a person can lose his
or her homestead rights is by death, abandonment, sale of property, or foreclosure of
a lien against the homestead.
There are two types of homesteads in Texas:
urban and rural. Most homeowners file for
Housing is affordable [in Dallas and
Fort Worth]. Overall, the area has a
low cost of living that’s typically several
points below the national average and
considerably lower than major east and
west coast cities.
“
”
