Dallas rent to own Homes
Often featured on national lists of the best places to live, Carrollton is a quiet, suburban town just 19 miles northwest of big Dallas. The city actually straddles Dallas County, Denton County and Collin County, on what was once the old Trinity Mills settlement. Carrollton is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area of 6.8 million people, but the town itself has a more manageable 126, 700 residents.
Carrollton Rent to Own Homes (1, 919 Listings Found)
Getting around the region is relatively easy with Carrollton’s convenient access to Interstate 35-E and Interstate 635 as well as a number of east-west parkways. Carollton’s schools are also convenient and top-notch, with most of the town’s public schools operated by the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. There are also two private schools in the town: Carrollton Christian Academy and The St. Anthony School.
Buying a Home in Carrollton
Median home prices in Carrollton dropped 8 percent to $230, 000 but sold 7 percent faster in just 28 days on the market. The median house size on today’s local market is 2, 083, which is 18 percent smaller than last year’s median size. The median price per square foot rose 7 percent during that same period, reaching $112 per square foot. With 52 homes in the foreclosure process, Carrollton’s distressed properties increased 62 percent over the past year. The median price of a distressed property in Carrollton increased 1 percent to $130, 316.
Popular Neighborhoods in Carrollton
Homes along FM 544 and the West Plano Parkway attract a variety of couples and families to its excellent schools, suburban feel and spacious, newer homes and apartments. The median price of a home in this area is $435, 032. Homes along Old Denton Road are also a local favorite, featuring nice houses and town homes, some of the area’s best schools and safe streets. The median price of $257, 343 makes the area more accessible to young families, couples and first-time home buyers. River Glen is also a lovely neighborhood, with brick ranch-style homes built in the mid-1990s and proximity to a number of churches, schools, restaurants, shops and the Elm Fork Trinity River.
Buying vs. Rent to Own Homes
Buying a home can be confusing, especially for first-time home buyers or buyers with less-than-perfect credit ratings. Rent to own homes are often a good alternative, alleviating some of the emphasis on the buyer’s financial ratings. Rent to own homes also give buyers time to take care of financial issues and paperwork at a more relaxed pace. Buyers can also move into the property right away, making monthly rent payments with a small additional rent premium that can often be credited to the buyer’s eventual down payment.
Cost of Living in Carrollton
Overall living expenses in Carrollton are just about on par with the national average, costing locals just 1 percent more than the average American. While food costs are 5 percent below the national average, health care, housing, utilities and transportation range from 1 to 8 percent higher. The city’s cost of living is even more economical when compared to nearby Plano. Carrollton residents pay 13 percent less on overall living costs than Plano residents and 45 percent less for housing, making Carrollton a great deal for anyone living or working in the Metroplex.
Summary
Carrollton is a charming suburban community, often recognized regionally and nationally for its high quality of life. Among other accolades, the city has been named the 12th happiest mid-size city, the 6th biggest bang-for-your-buck city, a top 10 city for young families and one of the safest cities in Texas. In spite of the city’s desirability, home prices have dropped in recent months making it easier than ever to find the perfect welcoming Carrollton neighborhood and home. Even better, the cost of living in Carrollton is about even with the rest of the nation.