President, first lady buying home in Dallas

updated 4:30 p.m. ET Dec. 4, 2008

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush have bought a home in an affluent, North Dallas neighborhood, where they will live after the president leaves office in January.

Laura Bush's press secretary, Sally McDonough, said Thursday that the Bushes purchased a home in the Preston Hollow area, which has some of the most expensive houses in Texas and is home to some of the state's wealthiest residents.

The president and Laura Bush do not yet have occupancy of the house, so the White House offered no further details at this time, McDonough said. However, local property records indicate that Robert McCleskey of Midland, Texas, who has done accounting work for the Bush family, recently bought an 8,500-square-foot house with a market value of $2.1 million on a cul-de-sac in a wealthy pocket of Dallas.

McCleskey is listed as a trustee on the property on Daria Place, and he said the house was bought Oct. 1. He said he could not say for whom the home was purchased.

A steady stream of the curious on Thursday afternoon drove slowly past the brick home, which has a wide front yard and dark shutters. A gate at the top of the driveway affords some privacy to the four-bedroom house, built in 1959. The home has four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a wet bar and a fireplace.

The records indicate the one-story, gable-roofed home is in very good condition. The total estimated taxes on the property are listed at $43,984.

The Bushes previously lived in Dallas from December 1988 through January 1995, before moving to the Texas governor's mansion in Austin, Texas. The Bushes will continue to spend some time at their ranch in Crawford, Texas, McDonough said.

MORE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

The White House Section Front

NYT analysis: Obama accepts ‘pyrrhic victories’ U.S. sends 12 detainees to home nations   U.S. faces hard reality with Pakistan Obama: U.S. ‘on cusp’ of health care reform U.S., others broker modest climate deal Analysis: Obama takes pragmatic climate path Obama: U.S., Russia ‘close’ on new arms treaty GOP: Congress must OK climate commitments Poll: Obama approval dips below 50 percent Analysis: Obama's hands tied on climate The White House Section Front   Add The White House headlines to your news reader: