In a world where weddings cost as much as a home down payment, Erin Davis and Ben Smithson opted for a mortgage over matrimony. "We bought a house instead of a party," says Davis, 27. "We'll have a wedding one day."

Their current commitment is a 1955 Cliff May midcentury-modern home in East Dallas' Casa View Oaks neighborhood. Although they were unfamiliar with the area, the avid entertainers fell in love with the low-slung one-story's open layout – and the fact that they could upgrade from their Uptown lease for just $80 more a month.

"Neither of us was familiar with East Dallas . Ben's from Plano, I'm from North Carolina," Davis says. "But we liked this house because it's made for entertaining. It's like a fishbowl. You can see everywhere.""I liked the optional privacy," Smithson says. "You can read in your underwear in the bedroom or see the entire neighborhood from the living room."

Luckily for the couple of three years, the home had been completely remodeled and needed little work other than a small foundation fix and some paint. The previous owner was an investor who brought the home back to life with a new kitchen (outfitted by Ikea), refinished hardwood floors, modern bathrooms and updated appliances.