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Refind Realty Blog:
by Steve
If your house has outgrown your lifestyle, it might be time to rethink space. Whether the kids have moved out or you’re just tired of maintaining rooms you never use, downsizing in DeSoto offers a fresh start without sacrificing comfort or community.
The right small home can mean less stress, lower costs, and more freedom. And in DeSoto—a city with easy Dallas access, mature neighborhoods, and newer communities—you’ve got options.
Downsizing doesn’t mean downgrading. These DeSoto-area neighborhoods offer affordable, manageable homes with everything you need—minus the upkeep.
A quiet, well-established area with smaller single-story ranch homes, perfect for those looking for manageable yardwork and walkable streets.
Older charm meets affordability. 3-bed, 2-bath homes under 1,700 sq ft pop up regularly—great for those ready to reduce utility costs.
Newer construction with modern floor plans under 2,000 sq ft. Many are low-maintenance and energy-efficient, with builder warranties still active.
Cedar Hill and Lancaster offer similarly priced smaller homes and access to parks, trails, and shopping—with short commutes to DeSoto and Dallas.
DeSoto housing stats (Redfin, Q2 2025):
Median home price: $289,000 (up 2.4% YoY)
Avg. home size: 1,980 sq ft, but homes under 1,500 sq ft are gaining value faster
Average days on market: 21
Popularity of downsizing up: 13% increase in buyer searches under 1,500 sq ft
Expert Quote:
"Downsizing used to be about retirement. Now it’s about flexibility. Homeowners want smaller footprints and smarter layouts, not just fewer bedrooms."
— Jasmine Leal, Realtor®, DFW Downsizing Specialist
Downsizing can reduce:
Expense Category Avg. Monthly Savings Mortgage $400–$800 Utilities $100–$200 Maintenance $150–$300 Property Taxes $75–$200
Over 12 months, that’s $8,000–$17,000 in annual savings—money you can reinvest or use for travel, hobbies, or paying off debt.
Moving: $1,500–$3,500 (local)
Renovations (optional): $5,000–$15,000
Downsizing services: $0–$2,500 (decluttering, staging, storage)
Consider this a short-term cost for long-term financial and lifestyle gain.
Internal Link: Home Seller Checklist
DeSoto and surrounding cities have builders who cater to move-down buyers and right-sizers.
Compact floorplans with high-efficiency systems
Community parks and low-maintenance yards
One-story builds designed for aging in place
Smart layouts under 1,800 sq ft
Internal Link: New Construction Home Guide
FHA Loans – Great for downsizers with smaller down payments
USDA Loans – Available in nearby rural zones (e.g., Ferris or Red Oak)
Bridge Loans – Help cover the gap between selling and buying
Equity Buydown Programs – Use equity from your larger home to reduce your new mortgage
Ask your lender if they offer “RightSize” or “Trade-Down” packages for move-down buyers.
Internal Links:
Downsizing in DeSoto isn’t about settling for less. It’s about owning the life you want. Less house, more freedom. Fewer bills, more flexibility.
If you’re considering it, the next step is to plan smart—and move with purpose.
Download the Lone Star Living App now to explore smaller home listings, builder incentives, and downsizing tips all in one place.
More resources for sellers:
You're Always Home With Refind Realty!
There’s no “perfect” age, but many people downsize between ages 50 and 70. Others do it earlier to simplify finances or travel more.
Lower property taxes, easier maintenance, reduced utility bills, and quick access to Dallas without big-city pricing.
Yes—Stillwater Canyon and surrounding areas offer new builds under 2,000 sq ft with energy-efficient features and builder incentives.
Before. It gives you time to adjust, unlock equity, and live more flexibly without the pressure of a fixed income.
You may pay off your existing mortgage and buy a smaller home in cash—or reduce your new monthly payment significantly.
It depends on your timeline and finances. Many downsizers sell first, then rent briefly, or use a bridge loan to avoid double moves.
Internal Links:
6 Smart Ways to Build Home Equity
7 Insider Secrets To Selling Your Home w/o a Lot of Time or Money
DFW Home Seller Negotiation Secrets
Home Appraisals Guide
Avoiding Pitfalls That Can Derail Your Home's Sale
Ultimate Guide To Buying a Home
A First Time Homebuyers Guide In DFW
Are You Ready To Buy?
25 Insider Secrets To Buying A Home
How to Improve Your Credit
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I used this realtor and it was a great experience. He was patient and very helpful with our journey. He also helped us find a great lender with little hassle on the process, also got us approved for well above the market of our original home so we were able to get more house with a lower mortgage rate. So to anyone who is interested in buying a home take my advice give Steven a call. It’s worth it 😁
Steve was absolutely amazing! Everything was easy! Very professional in all aspects. Punctual, responsive, and diligent. He goes above and beyond to ensure you get to see as many homes as you’d like no matter the location. Not only was he knowledgeable about home buying, he also has a resourceful network for new home owner needs. I recommend Refind Realty to everyone!
I definitely recommend Steven to assist with your home buying needs. As a first time home buyer the process can be overwhelming, but as my realtor he was knowledgeable & patient while addressing my concerns and assisting me with my new home purchase. Thanks again Steven!! :-)
When buying or selling a home, there are so many options…which can also present a lot of obstacles. Laws change, forms change, and practices change all the time in the real estate industry. Because it’s our job to stay on top of those things, hiring a realtor reduces risk, and can also save you a lot of money in the long run.
When you work with me as your Realtor, you’re getting an expert who knows the area; knows how to skillfully guide your experience as a seller or buyer; can easily spot the difference between a good deal and a great deal. My job is to translate your dream into a real estate reality, and I work hard to earn and keep my business. This also means earning your trust: When you work with me, you’ll be working with a realtor who looks out for your best interests and is invested in your goals.
There are two different types of loans conventional loans and government-backed loans. The main difference is who insures these loans:
1 - Government-backed loans (FHA, VA and USDA):
(a) - Are, unsurprisingly, backed by the government.
(b) - Include FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans.
(c) - Make up less than 40 percent of the home loans generated in the U.S. each year.
2 - Conventional loans
(a) - Are not backed by the government.
(b) - Include conforming and non-conforming loans (such as jumbo loans).
(c) - Make up more than 60 percent of the loans generated in the U.S. each year.
1 - FHA LOANS:
FHA loans, which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, are typically designed to meet the needs of first-time homebuyers with low or moderate incomes. FHA loans can be approved with a down payment of as little as 3.5 percent and a credit score as low as 580.
FHA loans are often called “helper loans,” because they give a leg up to potential borrowers who may not be able to secure one otherwise. For this reason, FHA loans have maximum lending limits, which are determined based on housing values for the county where the for-sale home is located.
Because the agency is taking on more risk by insuring FHA loans, the borrower is expected to pay mortgage insurance both at the time of closing and on a monthly basis, and the property must be owner-occupied.
2 - VA LOANS:
VA loans are backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and they are guaranteed to qualified veterans and active-duty personnel and their spouses. VA loans can be approved with 100 percent financing, meaning VA borrowers are not required to make a down payment.
Unlike FHA loans, borrowers do not have to pay mortgage insurance on VA loans.
3 - USDA LOANS:
You may also hear about USDA loans, which are backed by the United States Department of Agriculture mortgage program. USDA loans are intended to support homeowners who purchase homes in rural and some suburban areas. USDA loans do not require a down payment and may offer lower interest rates; borrowers may have to pay a small mortgage insurance premium in order to offset the lender’s risk.
Buyers who have a more established credit history and a larger down payment may prefer to apply for a conventional loan. These loans may offer a lower interest rate and only require the home buyer to purchase monthly mortgage insurance while the loan-to-value ratio is above a certain percentage, so a conventional loan borrower can typically save money in the long run.
Conventional loans are divided into two types: Conforming loans and non-conforming loans.
1 - CONFORMING LOANS:
Conforming loans are those that meet (or conform to) predetermined standards set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — two government-sponsored institutions that buy and sell mortgages on the secondary market. By selling the loans to "Fannie and Freddie," lenders can free up their capital and return to issue more mortgages than if they had to personally back every loan that they approve.
The main standard for conforming loans is that the amount borrowed must be under a certain amount; in Alaska, a single-family home loan must be under $647,200 in order to be considered conforming.
Properties with more than one unit have higher limits.
2 - NON-CONFORMING (JUMBO) LOANS:
But what happens if a borrower wants to borrow more than the Freddie- and Fannie-approved loan amount? In this case, they would have to apply for a “jumbo loan,” which is the most common type of non-conforming loan.
Because the lender cannot resell the jumbo loan (or any non-conforming loan) to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, jumbo loans are considered to be riskier than a conforming loan. To protect against this risk, the bank will typically require a higher down payment; the interest rate on a jumbo loan may also be higher than if the same borrower applied for a conforming loan.
Rate types: Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgages.
In addition to the loan type you choose, you’ll also have to determine if you want a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). A fixed-rate mortgage has an interest rate that does not change for the life of the loan, so it provides predictable monthly payments of principal and interest.
An adjustable-rate mortgage typically offers an initial introductory period with a low-interest rate. Once this period is over, the interest rate adjusts periodically, based on the market index. The initial interest rate on an ARM can sometimes be locked in for different periods, such as one, three, five, seven, or 10 years. Once the introductory period is over, the interest rate typically readjusts annually.
Office 1229 E. Pleasant Run Ste 224, DeSoto TX 75115
Call :(713) 505-2280
Email: [email protected]
Site: www.stevenjthomas.com
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