Highland Park, TX Real Estate: A Complete 2025 Guide to Homes, Neighborhoods, Schools, and Lifestyle

Highland Park sits at the heart of Dallas–Fort Worth’s luxury housing scene. Distinguished by tree-lined streets, architect-designed homes, top-ranked schools, and meticulous municipal services, the Town of Highland Park (together with University Park, known locally as the “Park Cities”) offers an unmatched blend of privacy, prestige, and convenience. If you’re evaluating Highland Park real estate—whether you’re buying, selling, or investing—this guide covers what matters: neighborhoods, home styles, pricing dynamics, schools, amenities, taxes, and strategies for winning in a competitive market.

Why Highland Park?

• Blue-chip location: Minutes to Downtown and Uptown Dallas, the Dallas Arts District, and major employment centers.

• Top schools: Served by Highland Park ISD (HPISD), consistently ranked among the best public school districts in Texas.

• Timeless architecture: From historic 1920s estates to contemporary new builds and custom luxury homes.

• Parks and services: Meticulous town management, dedicated police and fire, pocket parks, greenbelts, and community events.

• Lifestyle: Walkable pockets near Highland Park Village, boutique retail, destination dining, and proximity to premier country clubs and museums.

Market Snapshot & Pricing Tiers (Qualitative Overview)

Highland Park inventory is traditionally scarce relative to demand—especially for updated homes with classic curb appeal or well-located lots. Expect:

• Entry luxury: Remodeled cottages, elegant townhomes, and smaller single-family homes on modest lots.

• Core luxury: 4–5+ bed single-family homes on desirable blocks, often with updated kitchens, outdoor living, and guest quarters.

• Estate tier: Larger lots, architect-designed or custom homes, historic mansions, and new-construction estates with elevated finish packages.

Pro move: In micro-markets like Highland Park, block-by-block and lot-by-lot differences matter. Two homes a street apart can have materially different values based on architectural pedigree, setbacks, trees, and remodel quality.

Neighborhood Fabric & Micro-Markets

While the town is compact, Highland Park feels like a constellation of micro-neighborhoods:

• Highland Park Village & Preston Road Corridor: Walkable access to flagship retail, cafes, and services; premium for convenience and cachet.

• Lakes & Greenbelts: Addresses near Exall Lake, Turtle Creek–adjacent greenways, or the town’s pocket parks command a nature premium.

• Historic Streets: Early-20th-century architecture—Spanish Revival, Tudor, Colonial—often beautifully preserved or thoughtfully expanded.

• New-Build Pockets: Infill construction delivers modern floor plans, high ceilings, energy efficiency, and indoor-outdoor living—without sacrificing the Park Cities look and feel.

Architectural Styles & What Buyers Want Now

• Classic Tudor & Colonial Revival: Lead with curb appeal—steep gables, brick/stone, symmetrical facades.

• Spanish & Mediterranean: Clay tile roofs, arches, courtyards; beloved for timeless character.

• Transitional & Contemporary Luxury: Clean lines, steel/glass, chef kitchens, sculleries, and seamless outdoor living.

• Historic + Modern Hybrids: Thoughtful additions (primary suites, bigger closets, mudrooms, game rooms) that preserve original charm.

Today’s must-haves: first-floor primary suites, dedicated office(s), high-speed networking, EV charging, whole-home generators, water filtration, outdoor kitchens, pools/spas, and low-maintenance landscaping.

Schools, Parks & Everyday Amenities

• Highland Park ISD: Serving both Highland Park and University Park, HPISD is a primary driver of demand. Proximity to campuses and walkability can influence value.

• Parks & Recreation: Pocket parks, tree canopy, and carefully maintained streetscapes support daily jogs, dog walks, and kid-friendly play.

• Shopping & Dining: Highland Park Village anchors the lifestyle with luxury retail, dining, and seasonal events; nearby Preston Center and Knox Street expand options.

• Arts & Culture: Minutes to the Dallas Arts District, museums, performance venues, and private club amenities.

Property Taxes, Insurance & Ownership Considerations

• Texas property taxes: With no state income tax, Texas relies on property taxes. In Highland Park, tax rates vary by property and exemptions (e.g., homestead, over-65).

• Insurance: Older or historically significant homes may require specialized coverage; new builds may benefit from energy-efficient credits.

• HOAs & Deed Restrictions: Most of Highland Park is not governed by traditional HOAs, but town codes and design standards are taken seriously.

• Short-Term Rentals: Many Park Cities addresses face strict limitations on short-term rentals. Always verify current ordinances before purchasing with rental income expectations.

Action step: Before making an offer, confirm your assessed value, exemptions, municipal rules, and any permitting/design requirements for renovations or pools.

Buying in Highland Park: Strategy That Works

1. Get fully underwritten, not just pre-qualified. Many Highland Park purchases are jumbo loans or cash; speed and certainty win.

2. Study the block. Shade trees, drainage, alleys, setbacks, corner vs. mid-block, and powerline placement can meaningfully impact value.

3. Prioritize fundamentals. Lot size, orientation, and architectural integrity hold value better than surface-level finishes.

4. Be offer-ready. Well-priced listings can draw multiples; have terms (lease-back flexibility, short option period, tight timelines) pre-decided.

5. Inspect smart. Older homes may have cast-iron plumbing, knob-and-tube remnants, or foundation considerations. Use specialists familiar with Park Cities.

6. Future-proofing. Plan for EV infrastructure, backup power, water management, and smart-home networking to preserve long-term appeal.

Selling in Highland Park: How to Maximize Your Result

• Present like a magazine cover. Exterior power-wash, fresh landscaping, and period-appropriate hardware.

• Update with restraint. Preserve architectural character while modernizing kitchens, baths, and storage.

• High-end photography + video. Sunset exteriors, drone shots, and lifestyle vignettes (patios, pool lighting) resonate with luxury buyers.

• Disclosures & documentation. Survey, permits, warranties, major system ages, and a concise “improvements list” signal quality.

• Pricing strategy. Anchor to recent, truly comparable sales (same school footprint, lot size, and era); Highland Park comps are hyper-local.

Pro move: Staging should match the home’s architectural voice. Transitional furniture complements both historic details and modern finishes, widening buyer appeal.

New Construction, Tear-Downs & Renovations

• Lot value vs. improvement value: On some blocks, the lot drives most of the price; on others, architectural significance commands a premium.

• Permitting & design review: Expect a deliberate process. Engage architects and builders with proven Park Cities track records.

• Sustainability: High-performance windows, foam insulation, and HVAC zoning matter in North Texas heat—buyers notice utility bills.

• Pools & outdoor living: Covered loggias, heaters/misters, and integrated audio extend usable seasons and value.

Investment Perspective

• Hold quality: Blue-chip school district + constrained land supply = historically resilient values.

• Lease demand: Corporate relocations, medical and legal professionals, and Dallas executives keep high-quality rentals in demand (verify local leasing rules).

• Value-add: Sensitive renovations that respect the architectural vernacular often outperform purely cosmetic flips in this market.

Commute & Connectivity

• Proximity: Quick access to US-75, Dallas North Tollway, Love Field, and central business districts.

• Walkability pockets: Streets near Highland Park Village and interior parks feel particularly walkable; verify sidewalk connectivity and traffic patterns by block.

Common Buyer Questions

Is Highland Park a good place to live for families?
Yes—HPISD schools, pocket parks, low crime, and community programs make it a top choice for families seeking Dallas luxury living.

What styles of homes are common in Highland Park?
Tudor, Colonial, Spanish/Mediterranean, and newer Transitional/Contemporary luxury builds, plus historic estates and thoughtful additions.

How competitive is the Highland Park housing market?
Well-priced, move-in-ready homes in premium locations often receive strong early interest. Pre-underwriting, flexible terms, and local agent insight are key.

Are property taxes high in Highland Park?
Texas property taxes are higher than many states due to no state income tax. Actual burden depends on assessed value and exemptions; verify with the county.

Can I do short-term rentals in Highland Park?
Rules can be strict. Confirm current ordinances and permitting with the town before assuming rental income.

How to Choose the Right Highland Park Home

• Start with the lot and the street. Mature trees, minimal cut-through traffic, and block harmony matter.

• Match the house to your life. First-floor primary, guest suite, two offices, and kids’ study spaces are common needs now.

• Plan for the Texas climate. Shaded outdoor rooms, pool orientation, and efficient mechanicals make daily living better (and resale stronger).

• Think resale. Homes that blend timeless architecture with modern function tend to appreciate more predictably.

Work With a Local Specialist

Park Cities transactions are nuanced—from reading lot lines and drainage to interpreting historic updates and understanding which streets carry the strongest premiums. A Highland Park–focused agent can surface off-market opportunities, anticipate permitting questions, and negotiate with hyper-local comps in mind.

Bottom Line

Highland Park remains one of Texas’s most coveted addresses: a rare mix of architectural pedigree, school excellence, and a truly convenient Dallas location. Whether you’re targeting a historic Tudor with storybook charm or a newly built estate with modern amenities, success comes from understanding the micro-markets, preparing strong terms, and respecting the area’s timeless character.

Thinking about buying or selling in Highland Park? I can tailor a data-driven strategy to your block, your home style, and your goals—just say the word.