For $3,495,000 you could land yourself in this beautiful water front home.  It is hard to find many places in Dallas that make you feel like you are “getting away from it all,” but this W. Lawther Avenue home is guaranteed to please.  It gives off that northeast vibe I love so much: nestled into the woods, ivy growing up the weathered brick,  shutters, chimneys, and a regal double door front entrance. Furthermore, not many homes in Dallas can boast being built in 1940.  But for those of you who are afraid of a fixer upper, don’t worry, the worst is behind you… central air conditioning has already been installed. Ebby Halliday has scheduled an Open House for this Sunday, August 16th, from 3:30 to 5:30 and (at risk of sounding like a car salesman) this is not one you are going to want to miss!

11907 Forest Lake Lane

Wow! Talk about a bargain- this Preston Hollow home can be yours for the price of $849,000.  It is contemporary style Inside — don’t let the ’80′s exterior fool you — without the sparseness and confusion of many contemporary homes.  It is accessible and beautiful. Hardwood floors, lake views, walls of windows, french doors, and “soaring ceilings.” Who could ask for anything more? One of my favorite features of this home (of many) is that it needs little to no work.  So if you are looking to just move in right away, no muss, no fuss, get a u-haul and start packing because this is the home for. Briggs Freeman will be presenting this home in an open house on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00.  Located off  Forest Lane, not actually on it — which could also provide quick access out.

3510 Turtle Creek Blvd

Apartments are the new black.  Sticking to the theme of most of my open house preferences, this baby has hardwood floors, high ceilings, and views of Turtle Creek.  If you are scaling back because of that pesky economy, or you are just looking for something smaller, then this apartment is perfect.  Spacious, private, and beautiful, this apartment is a a bargain at $645,000.  Check it out during the Allie Beth Allman open house on August 30th from 1:00 to 3:00. I jumped the gun a little bit in telling you about this open house so early, but this gives you the opportunity to check it out before anyone else can steal it out from under you!

6315 Deloache Avenue

I think it must be pretty obvious by now what kind of house I like. It is tucked away, almost hidden from the street.  It gives it somewhat of an enchanted forest feeling, which beautifully matches the interior of the house.  I am not talking about unicorns and fairies, but cozy clutter. Lots of plants, patterns, and decoration. I must say though… the room with the table that appears to double as a giant Monopoly board makes me nervous.  I spy, with my little eye, 17 crosses hanging on the wall. Is this the Bible Belt or what? Check out this house on Sunday from 3 to 5! Set you back: $1,649,500 Preston Hollow.

4352 San Carlos Street

Well, just the other day I went on a walk with my wonderful roommate, and we did our usual judging of every house we walked by… as well as every person. We passed by this little gem and we both fell head-over-heels in love.  It is adorable in every way shape and form. The perfect symmetry of the hedges and windows, the hanging tree protecting the lawn from the brutal Dallas sun, and, of course, the huge windows adorned with green shutters.  If Sam and I were single (that is, if we did not already have a ‘unit’ that we are married to), we would be putting the moves on this one! Maybe we are just faithful because we are poor college undergrads! 4352 San Carlos Street for Ebby Halliday open Sunday from 2:00 to 3:30. $1,160,000.

4533 Bordeaux Avenue

Vaulted ceilings! Need I say more? I love this home because of the vaulted ceilings (obviously), big windows, black shutters, columns, and southern plantation vibe, but… this family seems to have a fetish for the color red. “Red rum, red rum,” except in this case “red room”. Don’t like red? Sherwin Williams is offering 25% off. Take a look at this on Sunday from 1 to 3, 4533 Bordeaux Avenue, shown by Allie Beth Allman and well-priced at $1,099,000 in Highland park.

3704 Stratford Avenue:

This home is right up my alley. I am a recently transplanted Highland Parker, originally from New York, and this reminds me of the homes I grew up around. It is tucked away from the street behind a natural setting of trees and bushes. Everything is kept simple yet beautiful, from the architecture to the interior decoration. Even the pool area. If you are a person that likes to be close to your favorite restaurants, friends, the grocery store, and so on, but when you are home you like to feel a million miles away, this is the home for you.

3512 Euclid Avenue:

Mi piacerebbe visitare l'Italia un giorno di questi! Translation: I would like to visit Italy one day. For now, I will just visit this Tuscan style home right in the heart of the Park cities, and you can come too! Between 3:00 and 5:30 on Sunday, August 2nd, Briggs Freeman has the pleasure of giving an open house for potential buyers and real estate lovers (or real estate voyeurs). I hate to pick favorites... but this is my favorite. You have to see this one yourself so put on your Sunday best, grab your umbrella, and get on over to Euclid Avenue. Faccia come se fósse a casa sua (Translation: Make yourself at home). Better yet, don't just make yourself at home, make it your home!

3524 Wentwood:

This traditional University Park home has three of my favorite things: hardwood floors, saltwater pool, and a large second floor deck. I would happily give my left kidney to live in this home. Unfortunately, I think the cost runs more around two kidneys, a liver, and a leg, but it's worth it!

Another collaberation from builder Richard Milligan and renowned interior designer Neal Stewart, this pup is nestled on a lake-skirting elevated property in the Northaven estate area a.k.a. Preston Hollow north. These guys so know what they are doing- contemporary feel but warm, inviting.  Sleek Italianate built around an interior courtyard with rectangular pool, fireplace, and seating areas; inside, large foyer, the living room with 16 foot ceilings, heavy coved crown moulding, and massive fireplace. The dining room is almost a perfect square, offering many options for table arrangement, Adjacent is a butler’s pantry with wine storage, ice maker and bar. The kitchen is a cook’s/entertainer’s dream. Get this: Wolf 48″ range, Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, double Miele dishwashers, and large center island. Hammered lead covered vent-a-hood, Madeira marble and Caesar stone countertops. Love the master bath, wish that that “Light Emperador” marble would sprout legs and walk to my house; love the HUGE master closet — must post photos. In all seriousness, this is one home I might actually buy. $1,890,000. Might be a little pricey, but you cannot beat this location. I can see empty nesters in this home, two bedrooms/baths upstairs to let the kiddos visit, but not live.

How much should I offer?