>>Builder average seems to be in the 2200 - 2600 sq ft, 'affordable' in the 300-500's

Right. Plenty of really nice, near-new houses in Plano for prices that well-paid working mom and dad can still stretch to. Coppell is regarded as a premier school zone (not that I cared) and the place my daughter stayed was a 6-bedroom executive pad built in the early '2000s, recently renovated with updated bathrooms and kitchen. Owner was interested in selling it and accepted a $350K offer on my last day there. If anybody is interested: Dallas (including Plano and surrounding districts) is well worth a look if you have work opportunities. If $ is more of a driver then in Southside Indianapolis you can get a dated 4-brm place for $50K. I kid you not.