Bushes to return to old Dallas neighborhood

Dallas Morning News

DALLAS — President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush will return to old friends and the familiar haunts of Preston Hollow when he leaves office in January.

After months of reports that the two were house hunting in the city, the White House confirmed Thursday that the first family has purchased a home in the wealthy North Dallas neighborhood they left when Bush became governor of Texas in 1995.

Though the White House declined to confirm the exact address, the Bushes apparently bought a four-bedroom, ranch-style home at 10141 Daria Place through a private trust Bush established after he was elected governor. The county appraises the house at a little more than $2 million, but the home sold for considerably more.

On Daria Place on Thursday morning, there was a mix of excitement and concern at the prospect of an ex-president moving in next door.

“It will be fun. I look forward to welcoming him to the neighborhood,” said Douglas Fletcher, an attorney whose home is across the street from 10141 Daria Place.

Christine Tomasides, who lives one street over on Daria Drive, said she, too, would be happy to have the Bushes.

“We will welcome everyone: lawyers, restaurant owners or leaders of the free world. Come on in,” she said.

Others were less sure. One neighbor who asked that her name not be used said that she was worried about the baggage certain to accompany Bush.

“They will be delightful neighbors. The only thing I don’t like are reporters,” she said.

For now, there may be no avoiding the press — or other onlookers, for that matter.

Traffic was nonstop Thursday around the tree-lined cul-de-sac as dozens of people stopped by hoping to glimpse the house.

“I just came by to see if he was going to tear the properties down, but they look in pretty good shape,” said Burt Zinser, a local real estate agent. “This is perfect for them.”

The house was purchased in the name of longtime Bush family accountant Robert McCleskey of Midland, Texas, and backs up to the sprawling estate of Bush’s friend and former business partner Tom Hicks. The former owners of the home, who still occupy the property, declined to comment on the transaction.

An adjacent home at 10151 Daria Place is currently under contract, and neighbors believe that the Bushes plan on purchasing that property as well, though it’s unclear how they would use that house or the land.

At more than 8,500 square feet and sitting on 1.1 acres of land, the home at 10141 Daria Place is by no means humble.

And according to documents filed with Dallas County, it wasn’t cheap.

The house was purchased with a $3,074,000 loan issued by the Community National Bank in Midland — a note that must be paid in full by October 2012, according to documents signed by McCleskey.

Traditionally, such purchases also require a cash down payment of at least 10 and normally 20 percent, although it is unclear whether such a down payment was made in this case.

The county appraises the home’s value at nearly $2.1 million, with an estimated annual tax levy of some $44,000.

Though the price was steep and the home is plush compared to most Dallas residences, it could be described as modest relative to some of the massive estates nearby, in particular Hicks’.

The single-story, light-red brick house opens onto a large front lawn. A concrete walkway leads from the street to the front door.