Campus Heights, University Park: What Buyers Should Know Before Touring

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Campus Heights is one of the few parts of University Park where multi-family zoning applies, and that single fact shapes everything about buying here. Listings in this pocket include duplexes offered as whole buildings, attached units with letter or number designations, and conventional single-family houses — on lots around fifty-five by a hundred and fifty feet, close to Curtis Park, University Park Elementary and Snider Plaza. Establishing the zoning and the property type for a specific address is the first job, not a formality. This page covers that and what to verify before making an offer.

By Nitin Gupta, CRS, GRI, CLHMS, ABR, REALTOR® and Broker Associate with Competitive Edge Realty, who has closed more than 480 DFW transactions.

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Zoning first

At least one property on Westminster Avenue in Campus Heights has been marketed with Multi-Family 1 zoning under the City of University Park, sold as a whole duplex covering two addresses on a single lot of about 55 by 150 feet, in a building dating from 1935.

That is unusual for University Park, and it changes the questions a buyer should ask:

• What does the zoning actually permit on this parcel — now, and if you wanted to rebuild? Confirm with the city rather than from the listing.

• Is the property one dwelling or two? A whole duplex is a different asset from a single house, with different financing, different insurance and a different buyer pool on resale.

• If it is let, what are the leases? Terms, rents, deposits, and whether tenancies transfer at closing.

• What would a rebuild be allowed to be? On a multi-family-zoned lot that question has more than one answer, and it affects what the land is worth.

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Zoning is a city matter and it changes. Verify the current classification and what it allows for the specific parcel with the City of University Park before you commit.

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The listing data blurs the product type

The same Westminster property has appeared simultaneously as a land listing of about 0.189 acres and as a single-family residence of just under three thousand square feet, at the same price — while its description explains it is a whole duplex.

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That is not anyone being deceptive; it reflects an asset that does not fit neatly into one portal category. For a buyer it is a warning: in this pocket, the property-type field tells you very little. Take the position from the appraisal district record, the title commitment and the city's zoning record.

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Attached units also appear here, on Rankin, Rosedale and Daniel, carrying unit designations and sitting at a range of sizes. Those bring the usual attached-home questions — what the association maintains, what the documents cover, how a lender assesses the project.

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If the property has income

Where a duplex or attached unit is let, ask for the leases, the rent roll, the deposit position and the maintenance history, and establish whether tenancies continue after closing. Confirm what any governing documents permit for letting, since that affects both your use and the next buyer's.

Representation for landlords is covered on the leasing page. Treat the numbers a seller provides as a starting point to verify rather than as established fact.

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Location: what is actually nearby

Marketing for homes here cites Curtis Park and its lake, a renovated children's playground, tennis courts, University Park Elementary, the Holmes Aquatic Center, a supermarket and Snider Plaza — all within a short walk.

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That concentration is the genuine appeal of this pocket. Check the specific distances from the home you are considering, and visit at more than one time of day, since park and school traffic affects some streets more than others.

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Older buildings, in some cases unrenovated

Buildings here date back to the 1930s. On a property of that age, particularly one that has been let, ask for records with dates:

• Roof age, and any claims or repairs following significant hail.

• HVAC systems and install dates, in each unit where there is more than one.

• Water heaters, and how utilities are metered and divided.

• Foundation performance and any repair history, with documentation.

• Plumbing and electrical, including whether original materials remain.

• Windows, insulation and the extent, date and permitting of any renovation.

Get an independent inspection regardless of how the property presents, and on a two-unit building, have both units inspected rather than one.

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Schools

Highland Park ISD serves University Park, Highland Park and a portion of the City of Dallas. Proximity to a campus is not assignment.

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Confirm the district and the specific elementary, middle and high school assignments for the exact address with the district before making an offer. The Highland Park ISD page covers the district.

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What to verify before you offer

• The zoning classification for the parcel and what it permits, from the City of University Park.

• The property type and recorded subdivision from the appraisal district record and the title commitment — single dwelling, duplex, or unit in a project.

• On a unit, the association's resale certificate, dues, reserves, rules and master insurance, plus your lender's view of the project.

• On a let property, the leases, rents, deposits and whether tenancies transfer.

• The full taxing-unit list and a tax certificate.

• The district and the exact campuses, confirmed with Highland Park ISD.

• A current survey showing boundaries, dimensions, easements and alley access.

• System ages, renovation history and permit status, with both units inspected on a duplex.

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Common questions

Is Campus Heights zoned for multi-family?

At least one property here has been marketed with Multi-Family 1 zoning under the City of University Park. Zoning applies parcel by parcel and changes, so confirm the current classification and what it permits for the specific address with the city.

Why is the same property listed as both land and a house?

Because a whole duplex on a single lot does not fit neatly into one portal category. The property-type field is unreliable here; use the appraisal district record, the title commitment and the city's zoning record instead.

What size are the lots?

A documented example measures about 55 by 150 feet, roughly 0.19 acres. Confirm dimensions for a specific parcel from the survey rather than from a listing summary.

Can I buy a whole duplex here?

Properties have been offered that way. It is a different asset from a single house — different financing, insurance and resale pool — so involve your lender early and ask for the leases if it is let.

What is within walking distance?

Marketing for homes here cites Curtis Park and its lake, a renovated playground, tennis courts, University Park Elementary, the Holmes Aquatic Center, a supermarket and Snider Plaza. Measure from the specific home.

Which schools serve Campus Heights?

Highland Park ISD serves University Park, Highland Park and part of Dallas. Proximity is not assignment, so confirm the exact campuses for the address with the district.

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Thinking about Campus Heights?

Send what you are looking for — a single home, a whole duplex, or an attached unit, whether you will live in it or let it, your price range and your timeline — and you get back what is realistically available, with the zoning and property type confirmed from the city and the record, any leases and association documents obtained, the taxing units pulled and the campus assignment confirmed with the district. Call 469-269-6541 or get in touch.

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More on the city is on the University Park page, and neighbouring areas on the SMU Heights, University Annex and Caruth Hills pages. For buyer representation generally see buyer services, and if you are selling here, seller services.

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Nitin Gupta, REALTOR®, Broker Associate with Competitive Edge Realty. He holds thirteen professional designations, including the Texas Residential Leasing Specialist, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, CRS and GRI, has closed more than 480 DFW transactions, and was named a D Magazine Best REALTOR® in 2020, 2023 and 2024. His background is on his bio page and client feedback on his reviews page.