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Refind Realty Blog:


By Steven J. Thomas
If you are thinking about selling your DeSoto home this year, the number you pick on day one matters more than anything else you will do. The 2026 DFW market is not the frenzy of 2021. About one in five active listings across Dallas-Fort Worth is already sitting with a price cut, and the homes getting hit are the ones that came in too high and are now chasing the market down. You can avoid that. Price it right the first time and you keep control. Price it on memory and the market makes the decision for you.
To price a DeSoto home correctly in 2026, anchor to recent sold comps within a mile, not to old peak values. The DeSoto median sale price sits near $367,000 with homes averaging about 43 days on market. Price within 2 to 3 percent of true market value from day one, because the first two weeks bring your strongest buyers. Want a starting read? Check your Home Selling Score.
Established neighborhoods like Thorntree carry larger lots and mature trees, and those features still pull buyers when the home shows well. The trap here is over-improving for the block or pricing off a renovated comp three streets over that does not match your finishes. Buyers in this pocket are practical move-up families comparing your home to newer inventory in Red Oak and Glenn Heights. Price to your actual condition and your days on market stay closer to the DeSoto median than to the high end. If you are weighing whether to update first or sell as-is, start with your Home Selling Score before you spend a dollar.
Homes built in the last 10 to 15 years compete most directly with new construction incentives nearby. When a builder down the road is throwing $20,000 at a buyer's closing costs, your resale price has to account for that gap. That does not mean slashing your number. It means pricing with the competition in view and being ready to offer a concession instead of a blind price cut. A well-staged, correctly priced home in this segment still moves. Compare your position against current DFW market statistics before you set the list price.
Properties closer to the Cedar Hill line benefit from hill-country views and quick access to Joe Pool Lake. Buyers will pay for location here, but they still expect the price to match the comps, not the view alone. Lead with honest pricing and let the lifestyle close the deal.
Pro Tip: Before you interview agents or set a number, run your free Home Selling Score to see how your home stacks up on price strength and readiness.
Read those numbers together and the story is clear. DeSoto is holding value better than several northern suburbs where price cuts are heaviest, but buyers have more room to negotiate than they did three years ago. Lower rates this year are pulling some buyers off the fence, which helps you, but only if your price gets you noticed in the first place. See the Freddie Mac rate survey and the DeSoto market report for the underlying data.
"The sellers winning in 2026 are not the ones with the highest list price. They are the ones priced so sharply that buyers feel they have to act before someone else does."
Pricing right is only part of the math. Know your real net before you list:
The return on getting the price right is the biggest line item of all. A home that sells in the first two weeks near asking almost always nets more than one that lingers 90 days and takes three cuts. Time on market is money out of your pocket.
Your buyer is also touring new construction in Red Oak, Glenn Heights, Waxahachie, and Midlothian, where builders are offering $10,000 to $30,000 in flex cash toward closing costs or rate buydowns. That competition sets the bar your resale home is measured against. You cannot match a brand-new home on newness, but you can win on location, lot size, mature landscaping, established schools, and a price that reflects real value. If you would rather sell and move into one of those new builds yourself, that path can be planned so you avoid two mortgage payments. Explore current options through the new construction rebate program.
Here is where being dual-licensed changes the game. Most agents can only talk about the sale. Because I also handle the mortgage side at Envision Home Lenders, I can structure your listing so the financing helps you sell. Offering a buyer a 2-1 rate buydown instead of a flat price cut often costs you less and moves the home faster, because it lowers the buyer's monthly payment in the early years when budgets feel tightest.
That kind of offer speaks directly to today's buyer, who is watching the 6.48 percent rate environment closely. Position the financing right and your home stands out against both resale and new construction. Buyers can see what they qualify for in minutes when you point them to get pre-approved, which keeps your showings full of serious people.
The 2026 DFW market rewards sellers who respect it. Price your DeSoto home to today's comps, not to what your neighbor got in 2022, and you keep the leverage. Lead with a sharp number, use financing tools like a buydown instead of panic cuts, and lean on accurate local data at every step. Do that and you sell faster and net more, even in a buyer's market. The homes sitting unsold are not victims of the market. They are victims of the wrong starting price.
Ready to price it right? Start here:
You're Always Home with Steven J. Thomas.
How long does it take to sell a home in DeSoto right now?
DeSoto homes are averaging about 43 days on market in 2026, down from 68 a year ago. Correctly priced homes often go under contract well inside that window.
Should I drop my price or offer a concession?
Offering a buyer a rate buydown or closing-cost help often moves a home faster than a flat price cut and can cost you less out of pocket. The right choice depends on your equity and timeline.
What if my home does not sell at my first price?
Re-price once, decisively, back to true market value rather than shaving small amounts repeatedly. Chasing the market down with tiny cuts is what leaves homes stale.
How does new construction nearby affect my price?
Builders in Red Oak, Glenn Heights, and Waxahachie are offering $10,000 to $30,000 in incentives, which sets the bar. Price and position your resale home with that competition in view.
When is the best time to list in DeSoto?
Spring and early summer bring the most buyer traffic, but a sharply priced home sells in any season. The price matters more than the month.
Where can I see current DeSoto listings and values?
Browse live listings, sold comps, and neighborhood data on the Lone Star Living App to see exactly what your home is competing against.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Market data is based on current conditions at the time of writing and is not a guarantee of price or timeline. Steven J. Thomas, Refind Realty DFW, 128 S. Cockrell Hill Rd, DeSoto, TX 75115. 972-846-9170.

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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.
Site: www.stevenjthomas.com
Call :(713) 505-2280
Email: [email protected]
Office 128 S. Cockrell Hill Rd, DeSoto TX 75115
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