DeSoto offers small‑town charm with big‑city convenience, giving residents quick access to Dallas and major job centers via I‑35E and I‑20 while staying tucked in the rolling “Best Southwest” hill country. With 20+ parks, a modern recreation and aquatics center, and unique amenities like a covered BMX race track, DeSoto is ideal for buyers who value active lifestyles, community events, and diverse neighborhoods without sacrificing an easy commute.
Why DeSoto? "All‑America City", Everyday Convenience
DeSoto sits in southern Dallas County where I-35E, I-20, and U.S. 67 meet, putting residents about 15 minutes from downtown Dallas and within easy reach of major job centers across the Metroplex. This All-America City of roughly 53,000 has grown from one of North Texas’s oldest settlements into a diverse community that still keeps its neighborhood feel, tree-lined streets, and long-time local traditions.
The draw here is the blend of convenience and recreation that many suburbs promise but few actually deliver. DeSoto offers more than 20 parks, nearly 500 acres of green space, and amenities like the DeSoto Recreation Center, Aquatic Center, Windmill Hill Nature Preserve, and a nationally recognized covered BMX track, all while sitting just minutes from Joe Pool Lake, Cedar Hill State Park, and big-city entertainment in Dallas and Arlington.
For commuters, DeSoto trades long sprawl drives for direct freeway and transit access. I-35E and I-20 connect quickly to downtown Dallas, medical centers, and employment hubs, while nearby DART and major thoroughfares make it possible to work anywhere in Dallas-Fort Worth and still come home to quieter residential streets and neighborhood parks at the end of the day.
What Makes Desoto Special:
- Convenient Access Without the Chaos: DeSoto sits just off I-35E about 14-17 miles south of downtown Dallas, with typical drive times around 20-30 minutes in normal traffic when using I-35E North. Its position on the southern edge of the Metroplex gives residents direct highway access into Dallas and other job centers while still feeling removed from the heaviest urban congestion.
- Homes and Neighborhoods for Every Stage: DeSoto is a mature suburb with a mix of older established neighborhoods and newer developments, including traditional brick homes, cul-de-sac streets, and some larger-lot and estate-style properties. These options support a range of buyers, from first-time homeowners to move-up buyers seeking more space. All within a community known for stable residential areas and strong neighborhood identity.
- Green Space and Outdoor Living: Residents have access to significant green space, including the Paul S. Dryer Preserve at Windmill Hill, a roughly 72-75 acre preserve with wooded terrain and several miles of trails within the DeSoto city limits. City parks and recreation facilities are complemented by quick drives to regional outdoor destinations like Joe Pool Lake and Cedar Hill State Park via nearby US-67.
- Schools and Family Support: Families in the city are primarily served by DeSoto Independent School District, which offers academics, athletics, and extracurricular programs and participates in regional initiatives like the Best Southwest STEM Showcase. Additional charter and private school options around southern Dallas County give parents flexibility while keeping daily routines close to home.
- A Connected, Caring Community: DeSoto has an active community culture with city-sponsored events and gatherings throughout the year, supported by its parks and recreation programming and local civic organizations. Residents enjoy a mix of local small businesses and convenient access to larger retail and dining corridors along Belt Line Road and I-35E.
- Positioned for Continued Growth: As part of the Best Southwest area of southern Dallas County, DeSoto benefits from regional population and economic growth that continues pushing south from Dallas. Its combination of established neighborhoods, preserved natural areas, and strategic freeway access positions the city for ongoing stability and long-term appeal to buyers looking near downtown Dallas without living in the urban core.
Desoto Housing Market Stats
How To Use These Charts
Use these charts to track; Days on Market, Closed Sales, Sales Price and Shows to Pending.
Just hover over the image to see specific data points for each month.
SALES PRICE
The median sales price represents what price Desoto homes actually sold for in any given month, not what sellers hoped to get. This is the single most important number for understanding real estate market conditions in Desoto, Dallas County’s “All America City”.
Why median matters more than average: Desoto’s evolving housing market ranges from small 1/2 acre tracts under $70,000 to 3.5 acre homes upwards of $950,000. The median finds the exact middle point, half the homes sold for more, half sold for less. This eliminates distortion from short sales and buyers who overpay.
For Sellers: rising median prices can signal strong buyer demand among Desoto’s population (57,379 as of 2023, down from 56,145 in 2020).
For Buyers: tracking price trends reveals whether you’re getting appreciation potential or negotiating leverage. The gap between list prices and sales prices tells you everything about market power. When homes sell at or above list, sellers control negotiations. When sales prices fall below listings, buyers have leverage.
MEDIAN DAYS ON MARKET
Median Days On Market Shows: how many days a home in Desoto sits on the market before going under contract. The median approach takes the highest and lowest numbers and finds the exact middle, eliminating distortion from extreme outliers like quick cash sales or overpriced listings that sit for months.
Why It’s Important: This number reveals everything about supply and demand dynamics in Desoto. Low days on market (under 30 days) means strong buyer demand. Homes are moving fast and multiple offers are common. High days on market (over 60 days) signals buyer selectivity, more inventory relative to demand, and significant negotiating power.
For Sellers: Understanding current days on market helps set realistic expectations about timing and pricing strategy. If homes are selling in 20 days, the market rewards well-priced properties. If homes are sitting for 90 days, you need aggressive pricing and marketing to compete effectively.
For Buyers: This metric tells you whether you need to make quick decisions or have time for thorough due diligence. Seasonal patterns matter with Spring and Summer typically showing lower days on market as family buyers coordinate with school schedules.
MEDIAN SHOWS TO PENDING
Median Shows to Pending Reveals: how many showings a home in Desoto received before going under contract. This metric helps sellers understand what’s normal when their home gets showings and helps buyers gauge competition levels in the Desoto market.
Why It’s Important: Low shows to pending (under 10) means buyers are making quick decisions. It signals a strong seller’s market where well-priced homes receive offers fast. High shows to pending (over 20) indicates buyer selectivity, with people touring many properties before committing. This data reveals which price ranges and cities have the most buyer interest.
For Sellers: If Desoto homes are averaging 8 showings before going pending, getting 15 showings without offers signals a pricing or presentation problem. This gives you realistic expectations and helps you adjust strategy before losing valuable market time.
For Buyers: High shows to pending means you have time to be selective without losing properties to faster-moving competition. Combine shows to pending with days on market to understand complete market dynamics. Low numbers on both metrics mean hot seller’s market, high numbers mean buyers have the advantage.
CLOSED SALES
Closed Sales Represent: the total number of residential homes that successfully sold in Desoto each month. Unlike active listings or pending contracts, these are actual completed sales where financing cleared, inspections passed, appraisals came in at value, and both parties made it through closing.
Why It’s Important: This is the heartbeat of the local market. High volume signals buyer confidence and healthy fundamentals, while declining volume reveals market friction. Rising prices with increasing volume signals a genuine seller’s market, while rising prices with declining volume suggests weakening momentum.
For Sellers: High closed sales volume indicates strong buyer activity and favorable selling conditions. You’re competing in a market with proven absorption rates, meaning well-priced homes are selling consistently.
For Buyers: High volume means more competition and faster-moving inventory. Declining volume creates opportunities for patient negotiation and gives you time to be selective without losing properties to faster-moving competition.
Bobby Franklin
Realtor®
Serving DFW | Ellis County
16 Northgate Dr. Ste 100
Waxahachie, TX 75165
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