Desoto Lakes vs Kensington Park
Two Sarasota communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-10-14.
| Metric | Desoto Lakes | Kensington Park |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $355K | $322K |
| Price per sq ft | $255 | $221 |
| Avg days on market | 94 days | 46 days |
| Months of supply | 2.4 mo | 2.0 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market | Strong Seller's Market |
| 1-year price change | False | False |
| Recent closings | 25 | 12 |
The verdict
Desoto Lakes carries the higher median price — about 10% above Kensington Park. Homes in Kensington Park sell faster (46 days on market vs 94). Kensington Park is the tighter market on inventory (2.0 months of supply).
Where each one is
| Desoto Lakes | Kensington Park | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Sarasota County, FL | Sarasota County, FL |
| City / area | Sarasota | Sarasota |
| ZIP | 34235 | 11554, 20707, 33760 |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| Desoto Lakes | Kensington Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 5 | 2 |
| Under contract | 3 | 4 |
| Asking prices today | $399K to $550K | $332K to $525K |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Desoto Lakes homes for sale · Kensington Park homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Desoto Lakes | Kensington Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 578 | 1,368 |
| Built | 1955–2022 (median 1976) | 1925–2023 (median 1960) |
| Typical living area | 1,649 sq ft | 1,454 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 68% | 56% |
| Vacant lots | 0 | 18 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | Desoto Lakes median | Kensington Park median |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $105K (17 sales) | $66K (49 sales) |
| 2013 | $118K (18 sales) | $90K (56 sales) |
| 2014 | $125K (29 sales) | $115K (46 sales) |
| 2015 | $168K (26 sales) | $140K (47 sales) |
| 2016 | $199K (42 sales) | $165K (51 sales) |
| 2017 | $202K (34 sales) | $172K (60 sales) |
| 2018 | $218K (6 sales) | $185K (18 sales) |
| 2019 | $230K (8 sales) | $197K (4 sales) |
| 2021 | $311K (6 sales) | $257K (8 sales) |
| 2022 | $362K (24 sales) | $312K (60 sales) |
| 2023 | $368K (8 sales) | $326K (14 sales) |
| 2024 | $415K (32 sales) | $307K (44 sales) |
| 2025 | $395K (24 sales) | $347K (40 sales) |
| 2026 | $377K (24 sales) | $315K (29 sales) |
Since 2012, Desoto Lakes's median sale price is +259% and Kensington Park's is +381% — Kensington Park has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Desoto Lakes | Kensington Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 97.4% | 98.3% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,399 sq ft | 1,300 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 56 (normal) | 31 (cold) |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| Desoto Lakes | Kensington Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Emma E. Booker Elementary | Gocio Elementary |
| Middle | Booker Middle | Booker Middle |
| High school | Booker High | Booker High |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Kensington Park is the lower entry point (median $322K vs $355K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Desoto Lakes; Kensington Park trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Kensington Park (46 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is Desoto Lakes more expensive than Kensington Park?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Desoto Lakes is $355,000 versus $322,000 in Kensington Park, about 10% higher.
Which has newer homes, Desoto Lakes or Kensington Park?
Desoto Lakes: its homes were built 1955–2022 with a median year of 1976, versus a median of 1960 in Kensington Park (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
Desoto Lakes. The typical home there is 1,649 sq ft of living area, versus 1,454 sq ft in Kensington Park.
Which has appreciated more, Desoto Lakes or Kensington Park?
From 2012 to 2026 the median sale price rose 259% in Desoto Lakes and 381% in Kensington Park (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Kensington Park — sellers there received 98.3% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 97.4% in Desoto Lakes.
What high schools serve Desoto Lakes and Kensington Park?
Listings in Desoto Lakes most often report Booker High; listings in Kensington Park report Booker High. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Desoto Lakes homes, photos & schools · Kensington Park homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.