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dam and Amanda Powell, both Americans, had spent three years in Schaan, Liechtenstein, working for Hilti, a company headquartered there. Their two daughters grew up in a modern four‑bedroom apartment. When the company announced that their work visas could not be renewed and that they would be transferred to Hilti’s North American headquarters near Dallas, the couple faced a bittersweet transition. Amanda, 44, reflected that leaving was “good for our nuclear family” and offered a chance to experience a new culture. Yet they quickly welcomed the move back to Texas, their home state.
Amanda was born and raised in Austin, about three hours south of Dallas, while Adam grew up nearby. The pair met at Abilene Christian University, married in 2005, and settled in a suburb between Dallas and Fort Worth. Six years later they lived in Britain, then in Morristown, New Jersey, before returning to Dallas in 2017, where their daughters Charlotte and Olivia were born.
As they packed up their Liechtenstein apartment, the Powells began to think about where in the Dallas area they would live next. Amanda said she wanted “some space out there” and a home large enough to host both sets of grandparents and extended family. A spacious kitchen with an island for “at least three or four people” and a top‑rated public school district with a pre‑K program were non‑negotiable.
They enlisted Lauren Moore, a Dallas‑based Compass broker, who pointed them toward Collin County, about 30 miles north of downtown Dallas, known for its high‑ranking schools. To find a house that met their criteria with minimal renovation, they set a budget of $1.3 million. After researching online, they focused on Fairview and Lucas, hoping to purchase before returning to the U.S. in spring. Moore FaceTimed them from homes she found online.
Three properties emerged:
1. **DFW Realty Group – Fairview**
A 6‑bedroom, 4,387‑sq‑ft home built in 1983 on a 3‑acre lot. The airy eat‑in kitchen featured an island, glass doors to a patio, and orange‑tiled floors that flowed into the living room with a high, wood‑beamed ceiling. An indoor “therapy pool” added a unique touch. Amanda loved the detached 900‑sq‑ft apartment with its own bathroom, kitchen, and living area. Adam appreciated the covered outdoor kitchen, built‑in grill, fireplace, pool, and pool house. The kitchen, however, needed updates. Asking price: $1.3 million; annual taxes: ~$20,000.
2. **Keller Williams Realty Allen – Lucas**
A 6‑bedroom, 4,231‑sq‑ft house from 1992 on a one‑acre hilltop lot. The updated kitchen boasted custom cherry woodwork, granite countertops, and high‑end appliances. Amanda liked the large primary bedroom with an en‑suite that opened onto the backyard. Though the kitchen lacked an island, its wood floors were appealing. The home included a downstairs office and an upstairs game room, but the layout of guest bedrooms felt awkward and the house was somewhat dark. A pool graced the grassy backyard. Adam favored the oversized two‑car garage connected to the house via an enclosed breezeway. Price: $1.29 million; taxes: ~$18,000.
3. **Compass RE Texas – Fairview**
A 4,784‑sq‑ft home built in 2008 on 1.3 open acres, recently updated with new floors, bathrooms, and a kitchen featuring a breakfast nook, island, and stainless‑steel appliances. The property also had a home theater and an upstairs game room. The couple appreciated the guest house, which included a full kitchen with quartz counters, dining area, living room, and full bath. An updated pool with a covered patio and grilling area overlooked a sprawling lawn. They were less enthusiastic about the extensive solar panels, fearing roof damage. Asking price: $1.435 million; taxes: ~$19,000.
The Powells ultimately chose the DFW Realty Group home in Fairview, valuing its spacious layout, unique amenities, and the detached apartment that would accommodate family visits. The Keller Williams and Compass options were strong contenders, but the combination of features and price in the Fairview property aligned best with their needs.
