Low priced homes..... typically you get what you pay for...in terms of quality, size, and location. Land is plentiful in the Lancaster and Red Bird area and that is one component of the price, so that is perhaps why prices are lower than other parts of the metroplex. As you move closer to downtown Dallas prices will rise typically due to location for the same house/same builder. Centex typically builds a good decent basic house. Nothing fancy, just good basic home in that area. This area is projected to be one of the fastest growing in the country, but remember there is still plenty of farmland to build one development after another which can hinder appreciation in the short term. As for crime and schools there are links on the left hand page to better stats or overviews than we could give here. Look at Quality of Life.