PlanetRockwall.com

Rockwall County’s Ten Most Expensive Homes

You just know they're going to pick your Lotto numbers any day now. Don't you think it's time to start planning where you're going to live? Of course, you want to stay in Rockwall County. I mean, who wouldn't? The question is, are there any houses worthy of your newfound financial status outside the snooty environs of Highland Park or Preston Hollow?

True, one would be hard pressed to find something like Tom Hicks' 29,000 square-foot manse, which cost $41.4 million and backs up to George and Laura Bush's new bungalow, or Mark Cuban's $17.6 million personal playground in North Dallas - not here in lil' old Rockwall. But no worries. We do have our share of respectable palaces that the relatives wouldn't scoff at the chance to come visit. You may even discover relatives you never knew you had.

In doing research for this piece, Planet Rockwall dug through current real estate listings, as well as publicly available tax records. The listing prices shown may not be what actually gets accepted, so feel free to bargain. You'll still need a healthy bank account to afford them.

At $4.18 million, 150 Shepherds Glen comes in at number one. For this you get 6450 square feet, including 5 bedrooms, five baths, 4-car garage and a 3.6 acre lot on Lake Ray Hubbard. It's got the usual electronic driveway gates you'd expect, plus about three more fireplaces than you'd ever use. And if your cochere needs a porte, it's got one of those too.

Not enough bedrooms? 460 Terry Lane has 7 of 'em, with bathrooms to match. Five fireplaces, six living areas, and 3 dining rooms are all squeezed into 10,000 square feet of living area, with a seven car garage on 10 lakefront acres. Owners Rob and Sara Whittle, of the Harbor on Lake Ray Hubbard fame, have already lowered the price a full million to $3.77 mil, so methinks we're looking at motivated sellers here.

Just down the street from number one, 156 Shepherds Glen is a tad more modest. Four bedrooms, five baths, four living areas and four dining areas in 8800 square feet, make this a cozy retreat on 1.6 lakeside acres. At only $2.76 million you can save enough to feed more of those hungry relations, even if they will have fewer places to crash.

Oh, it's a castle you want, is it? Fear not, my liege. One awaits you at 2071 Clem Road Extension. Commonly known as Castle Douglas, this baby's got battlements. Battlements! 23,000 square feet includes a great room big enough to put your throne and a couple dozen ladies in waiting. For $2.7 million you can march your knights around 71 acres of your personal kingdom and post your archers on the roof behind the - that's right - battlements!

Perhaps you prefer a Mediterranean villa. Got one of those, too, at 1600 South Lakeshore Drive. 8100 square feet of tile-covered living area includes 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, three half-baths, 5 living areas, and a 4-car garage. Squint really hard and you can almost see the Greek isles across the lake. Ignore that causeway and power plant smoke stack. $2.395 million.

Out to the wilds of rural Heath we go for our next home. At 7229 South FM 549 sits a 10,600 square foot bungalow on a hilltop surrounded by 20 acres enclosed by iron fence. With 8 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and three half-baths, there won't be a whole lot of fighting over shower time. It's got two master bedroom suites so you could split the $2 million price with a fellow millionaire.

If you like that never-been-lived-in feel, head on out to where folks like their city names long and their houses big, Mclendon Chisholm. At 1268 Somerset Lane, they're building an 8,000 square foot five bedroom villa for $1.995 million. It's got tons of marble, a curving grand stairway and lots of rooms with pointy round roofs to make it look like a castle (no battlements, though).

Maybe it's a ranch you're looking for. For $1.899 million, you can have a 78-acre spread at 1880 Smith Road, with a 3900 square foot house, storage building and workshop, all surrounded by barbed wire and pipe fencing for that authentic ranch-y touch. Just add cow pies, and you're deep in the heart of it.

For $1.8 million you can have a working horse ranch at 200 Bevans Circle in Heath. On 19 acres you get a 4700 Square foot house, a 24 stall horse stable, 11 runs, 5 pastures, a lake, and two separate 3-bedroom houses you can use to keep the relatives out of your hair.

Lastly, but not leastly, 944 Stevens Road offers a 9168 square foot estate with 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 4 half baths (no fighting over the shower), and enough living areas to get lost in. 14 acres includes a huge pool, a lake, lots of trees and a barn. All this and more for $1.795 million.

Now granted, we don't expect the likes of the Hunts or the Perots to come rushing out to snap up these bargains any time soon. But, for the average garden variety Rockwall-area millionaire, we think they'll do in a pinch.

Posted Wednesday, February 02, 2011 Bob Lewis in Living, Home & Garden, Communities,