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DeSoto County
DeSoto County
DeSoto County is a small, agriculture-driven county in southwest central Florida. Arcadia is the county seat and home to the All-Florida Championship Rodeo. The economy is anchored by citrus, cattle, and agricultural support services. The Clerk (Nadia K. Daughtrey) uses Civitek OCRS for court records.
Property in DeSoto
What every owner, heir, and investor should know.
Owning a home in DeSoto.
DeSoto is a low-cost, agricultural housing market with limited new development.
- Florida Homestead Exemption and Save Our Homes apply.
- Tax bills Nov 1; discounts through February; delinquent April 1.
- Hurricane wind exposure is moderate; flood plains line the Peace River.
- Tax deed redemption to day of sale (Ch. 197, F.S.).
- Foreclosure surplus rights under § 45.032, F.S. (60 days).
Investing in DeSoto.
DeSoto offers very low entry prices and agricultural land deals.
- Court records via Civitek OCRS (county/14).
- Property Appraiser at desotopa.com.
- Watch for agricultural exemptions, mobile-home park zoning, and Peace River flood plain restrictions.
After a DeSoto foreclosure or tax deed sale.
DeSoto uses Florida's judicial foreclosure process and Ch. 197 tax deed sales; volume is low.
- Foreclosures filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit.
- Surplus claim window: 60 days under § 45.032, F.S.
- Tax certificates sold yearly; tax deed application after 2 years.
- Notices published in The Arcadian.
Courts and records in DeSoto.
- DeSoto County Courthouse — 115 E Oak St, Arcadia, FL 34266 — 12th Judicial Circuit
- 12th Judicial Circuit (DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota)
- Second District Court of Appeal
- Clerk of the Circuit Court — Nadia K. Daughtrey — (863) 993-4876 — desotoclerk.com
- Property Appraiser — David Williams — 201 E Oak St — desotopa.com
- Tax Collector — 201 E Oak St, Arcadia
- Sheriff — James Potter — 208 E Cypress St, Arcadia