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Toto, I Think We're Back in Kansas ... Not Dallas

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Stars TX #0552717

Toto, I Think We're Back in Kansas ... Not Dallas!

I showed a property for lease today in a Dallas suburb and in the back yard, we found one of these:

      Storm Cellar in Farmers Branch, TexasStorm Cellar in Farmers Branch, Texas

Storm cellar? Bomb shelter?

The underground area is about 10' x 10' in size and has shelves along one side, presumably for provisions. There were a couple old folding chairs down there. Oh, and a snake. We didn't venture down there.

The other odd thing about this property (the house itself was terrific) was the garage:

 Garage in Farmers Branch, Texas

There is a two-car garage in the back yard, but no access for automobiles. There isn't a driveable alley and there isn't a fence opening from the front that is large enough to get a car into the back yard. There is no driveway, either.

The house next door also has a detached garage and it looks like it's not used for automobiles, either.

This 3 bedroom, 1 bath house was built in 1955 and is located in the Valwood Park subdivision of Farmers Branch, Texas. It's been updated on the inside and the original front-entry one-car garage (with a driveway in front of it) has been converted into a second living area. There are hardwoods in the living areas and carpeting in the bedrooms.  The dryer is in the utility room, but the washing machine is in the kitchen. At least the appliances are included!

Unfortunately, my client is probably too late for this rental. The listing agent called me after the showing and told me she already has an approved application.

 My client would have been ready for the next tornado or hail storm if she had rented this house. Her car wouldn't have been without a garage.

 

Posted by

Lorrie Semler, REALTOR
HomeSmart Stars

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Comments(7)

Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

A tornado cellar?  Very cool fort for the kids?  Wine cellar?

Whatever it was, very interesting.  The garage with no driveway is just wierd.  :)

Jul 10, 2012 11:22 AM
Lorrie Semler, REALTOR® in the Dallas area. Call/text 972-416-3417
HomeSmart Stars - Addison, TX
Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate

Virginia: It looked like the garage had been used as a workshop by a previous tenant.  The house on the other side had a trailer in the back yard. We couldn't figure out how they got it in there. They certainly won't be able to get it out without taking it apart.

Jul 10, 2012 11:26 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

When I was a little girl I can sitting through many storms in a cellar a cellar such as this one.

Jul 10, 2012 12:44 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Lorrie, I'm glad you reviewed this house, as it came up for a couple who are looking for a house to lease where they can have two pets.  Maybe one pet could stay in the shelter, minus the snake!

Jul 10, 2012 04:54 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing your experience.  It is sometimes fun to discover unusual things when showing real estate.

Have an outstanding week with your camera in hand.

Jul 11, 2012 01:08 AM
Amy Steele Realtor SRS CNE NHS MRP LUXE epro
JPAR Real Estate - North Richland Hills, TX
Principal, Amy Steele Estates Group LLC

If the house was built in1955 it was probably a bomb shelter! My in laws old house was built in the 50s and purportedly had a shelter on the property but they never found one! 

Nice meeting you today!  Looking forward to the next event,

Amy

Jul 18, 2012 01:13 PM
Lorrie Semler, REALTOR® in the Dallas area. Call/text 972-416-3417
HomeSmart Stars - Addison, TX
Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate

So, Bob Stewart may not find many homes with basements in Texas, but there are always bomb shelters that can be used during a tornado.

Jul 19, 2012 01:05 AM