Who is Don Baker?
Don Baker is a REALTOR® with Fathom Realty LLC serving Waxahachie, Red Oak, Ellis County, and the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Trying to Make Sense of Real Estate in Ellis County? Start with where you want to go.
A home search in Ellis County does not have to begin with a specific address or even a specific city. You may be comparing Waxahachie and Red Oak, considering new construction, relocating into the area, or wondering whether your search should extend into the wider Dallas–Fort Worth market. I’m Don Baker, a REALTOR® with Fathom Realty. My role is to help you understand your options, narrow the search, and work through the decisions that come with your next move.
REALTOR® and Real Estate Agent · Fathom Realty LLC
Serving Ellis County Hi, I’m Don Baker Client Experiences
What Clients Say About Working With Don
“Don was incredibly quick to line up a large selection of homes within our budget to view. He was always available to talk, answer questions, or address our concerns. Once we found and purchased our new home, Don continued to offer local support well after we were settled in. Don also helped us out with the sale of the home we left. We weren’t just another customer, but made to feel like we had a friend.”
“Don was instrumental in helping us prepare our home for sale, list it at the best price, and guide us through the negotiation process to closing. He was very professional, engaged, and brings his full energy to every conversation. He has helped me navigate the house selling process several times.”
“Buying my first home seemed impossible, but working with Don Baker made it a wonderful experience. Don and his team were incredibly patient, efficient, reliable and knowledgeable, explaining each step of the process clearly. I especially appreciated his expertise and his negotiation skills in getting me a great price.”
“I was an out of state buyer feeling lost in a competitive market. As a VA loan user, I wanted someone to relate to for representation - beyond that, he is a veteran himself. Don upholds the highest ethical ideals. We viewed multiple properties with Don via FaceTime and felt the experience to be very comparably authentic as possible to live viewings.”
“Don was wonderful to work with. He was personable, knowledgeable and patient. Because we live in another state, our situation was particularly challenging. Don went above and beyond in helping to get the house ready for market and in finding ways to make the house more marketable.”
“Don Baker is one of the best realtors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I changed my mind so many times on what I was looking for and he never showed any frustration with me. He always had answers to my many questions and worked with me for several months until I finally made up my mind.”
“I live 6 hours away from Red Oak and needed to sell my house there. I contacted Don, my house was under contract less than a week from listing. Don worked with my tenant and repair people to make sure that my house was ready to sell. His recommendations were right on and allowed us to close in a timely manner.”
“We were first time home buyers and Don was very helpful and patient on explaining what were the steps we had to take and what to expect. Don helped us decide on the right home for our family - we could feel that he was not concerned on just selling us a property but in helping us as a family.”
“Don was awesome to work with. Don always went the extra mile it took to help us close on our home, even when it got tough he maintained professionalism as well as a sense of humor. Being new to Texas, he was very knowledgeable about the process and answered all of our questions.”
“I enjoyed working with Don Baker, he was very professional and went above and beyond selling my property. I was an out of town seller so he made sure everything that I needed was addressed. Great work.”
Local decision help
Six practical questions to answer before you move in Ellis County and DFW
Use these questions to structure your next steps with Don Baker (Fathom Realty LLC). For pricing, taxes, HOA rules, and property condition, verify details with the listing documents, your lender, the title company, and the relevant local or state authority.
Buying
How much home can I comfortably afford right now?
Start with a lender conversation to estimate a payment range (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any HOA dues). Then align that range with your down payment, cash reserves, and target timeline. Don Baker can help you translate that budget into realistic search criteria in Waxahachie, Red Oak, Ellis County, and the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Verify loan terms and costs directly with your chosen mortgage lender before making offers.
BuyingWhat should I verify on a property before I write an offer?
Before offering, confirm the basics that affect cost and usability: disclosures provided, HOA/POA documents if applicable, known restrictions, and the key condition items you’ll want an inspector to evaluate. Don Baker can help you review what’s available in the listing package and outline questions to ask. Verify property condition through licensed inspections and confirm any HOA rules directly with the association documents.
SellingWhat’s my best first step to price and prep my home?
A strong first step is a walkthrough to identify the highest-impact prep items and a pricing discussion based on recent comparable sales and current competition. Don Baker can help you prioritize repairs vs. cosmetic updates and build a timeline that fits your move. Verify net proceeds by reviewing estimated closing costs with your title company and any payoff details with your lender.
RelocationHow do I plan timing when I’m relocating or moving for military service?
Work backward from your target move date: financing approval, home search window, offer/negotiation time, inspection period, and closing. If you’re coordinating a job change or PCS, build in buffer time for paperwork and travel. Don Baker can help you map a realistic timeline and coordinate showings and deadlines. Verify any employer or military requirements with your command/unit or relocation coordinator.
New constructionWhat should I ask when considering new construction?
Ask about build timelines, what’s included vs. upgraded, warranty coverage, and how the builder handles inspections and punch lists. Don Baker can help you compare communities and keep decision points organized from contract to closing. Verify contract terms, warranties, and completion dates in writing with the builder, and use independent licensed inspections where permitted.
LeasingShould I rent now or buy—and what changes the answer?
The answer usually hinges on timeline, cash reserves, and payment comfort—not just purchase price. Compare total monthly costs (including utilities and fees), your expected length of stay, and how soon you want stability or flexibility. Don Baker can walk through local options for leasing and buying and help you decide what to pursue first. Verify lease terms in the written contract and confirm affordability details with your lender if buying.
Listings
Current homes and properties
Active $599,999
1111 Yukon Blvd,
Waxahachie, TX 75167
Residential - Single Family · 4 beds · 3 full baths · 1 half bath · 3,064 Sqft.
Active $489,900
909 Valley View Ave,
Red Oak, TX 75154
Residential - Single Family · 3 beds · 2 full baths · 3,076 Sqft.
Sold Sold
251 Williamsburg Ln,
Ovilla, TX 75154
Residential - Single Family · 5 beds · 4 full baths · 3,183 Sqft.
Sold 08/27/2026
Next step
Tell Don Baker what you’re trying to do, and get a clear plan for the next 2–3 steps.
Request a consultBrowser guide
A practical, step-by-step guide for buying in Ellis County and the Dallas–Fort Worth area, written for buyers who want clear next steps. For loan terms and costs, confirm details with a licensed mortgage lender; for legal and contract questions, consult a Texas-licensed attorney or your title company; for licensing, reference the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
About Don
About Don Baker
Don Baker is a REALTOR® with Fathom Realty LLC, serving Waxahachie, Red Oak, Ellis County, and communities across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Don brings 16 years of real estate experience and a 14-year background in mortgage lending. He works with buyers, sellers, renters, military families, and relocating clients, and holds the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) credential. He wears red every Friday, a small personal gesture of support for deployed service members and their families.
Clients can expect clear guidance, responsive communication, and practical advice shaped by both real estate and mortgage-lending experience—so they can make confident decisions from the first conversation through closing.
Specialties include buyer and seller representation, military relocation, first-time home buying, relocation, new construction, leasing and rentals, second homes, land, short sales, and foreclosures.
Where does Don Baker provide real estate services?
Don Baker serves Waxahachie, Red Oak, Ellis County, and communities across the Dallas–Fort Worth area in Texas.
What types of clients does Don Baker work with?
Don Baker works with home buyers and sellers, first-time buyers, military members and veterans, relocating families, renters, new-construction buyers, and clients exploring second homes or land.
What is Don Baker’s approach to helping clients?
Don Baker focuses on clear guidance, responsive communication, and practical advice shaped by both real estate and mortgage-lending experience, from the first conversation through closing.
What real estate specialties does Don Baker offer?
Don Baker’s specialties include buyer and seller representation, military relocation, first-time home buying, relocation, new construction, leasing and rentals, second homes, land, short sales, and foreclosures.
What license information is available for Don Baker?
Don Baker’s real estate license number is 0609355, issued by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
Does Don Baker have a personal connection to military families?
Yes. Don wears red every Friday as a personal show of support for deployed service members and their families. He also holds the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) credential, which he uses to help military and veteran clients through the real estate side of a move.
Blog
Practical real estate guidance for Ellis County and the Dallas–Fort Worth area
The first nine articles are added by the reviewed seeding campaign.
Military Moves I’m a Veteran Relocating to Ellis County. Where Should I Start?
A military or veteran move can involve more than choosing a house. Here’s where to start, and how a Military Relocation Professional fits into that process.
New Construction Should New Construction Be Part of My Ellis County Home Search?
A model home can make new construction feel simple, but there are real decisions to work through first. Here’s how to think about it.
First-Time Buyers I’m Buying My First Home in Ellis County. What Should I Do First?
You don’t need every answer before you start. Here’s a practical starting point for a first home search in Ellis County.
Military Moves What Should Military and Veteran Buyers Know Before a PCS Move to Ellis County?
A PCS or veteran relocation to Ellis County comes with its own set of decisions. Here’s what to think through before the search narrows.
New Construction What Should You Compare Before Choosing New Construction Over Resale in Ellis County?
New construction and resale homes solve different problems. Here’s what to weigh before deciding which one fits your search.
First-Time Buyers How Does Financing Fit Into a First-Time Buyer’s Ellis County Home Search?
Financing shapes almost every other decision in a first home search. Here’s how the two sides of the process connect.
Military Moves How Wide Should a Military Relocation Search Extend Beyond Ellis County?
Ellis County is a strong starting point for a military relocation, but it isn’t always the whole search. Here’s how to think about widening it.
New Construction Should I Bring My Own REALTOR® When Looking at New Construction in Ellis County?
A builder’s sales office works for the builder. Here’s what having your own representation actually changes.
First-Time Buyers Should I Talk to a Lender or a REALTOR® First When Buying My First Home in Ellis County?
It’s a common first question, and the honest answer is that the two conversations work best together. Here’s why.
Questions
A useful place to start.
How do I start working with Don Baker?
Start by sharing your goal (buy, sell, rent, relocate, or new construction), your timeline, and your preferred areas in Waxahachie, Red Oak, Ellis County, or the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Don Baker will help you outline next steps such as lender pre-approval (if buying), a home-search plan, or a seller walkthrough. If you need to verify licensing, use the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
What should I prepare for a first-time home buying conversation?
Bring your target move date, an estimated budget range, and any must-haves (beds/baths, commute constraints, land needs, HOA preferences). If you haven’t spoken with a lender yet, plan to discuss down payment, credit, and income documentation with a licensed mortgage lender. Don Baker can help you turn those inputs into a practical search and offer strategy.
Can Don Baker help with leasing and rentals?
Yes—Don Baker works with leasing and rentals as part of his specialties. Be ready with your desired move-in date, budget, pets (if any), and application requirements. Always verify lease terms, fees, and rules in the written lease before signing.
How does the home selling process usually begin?
The selling process typically begins with a pricing and prep conversation, followed by a plan for timing, photos/marketing, showings, and negotiation. Don Baker can help you prioritize improvements and set expectations for steps from listing through closing. Verify payoff amounts with your lender and review estimated closing costs with your title company.
What should I know before buying new construction?
Before buying new construction, confirm what’s included in the base price, what upgrades cost, the estimated build timeline, and warranty coverage. Don Baker can help you compare options and keep contract milestones organized. Verify all terms in the builder’s contract and use independent licensed inspections where allowed.
From Don Baker
Updates and Tips on YouTube