The White House confirmed Thursday that the Bushes have purchased a house in Dallas for the couple to live in after his presidency ends in January.

Laura Bush’s press secretary, Sally McDonough, said Thursday that the Bushes purchased a home in the Preston Hollow area, where some of the state’s wealthiest residents live in some of its most expensive houses.

She declined to specify where the house is, but it appears likely the couple will live on Daria Place, a cul-de-sac in the upscale neighborhood.

“The president and Mrs. Bush do not have occupancy of the home, and therefore, no additional details will be provided,” McDonough said in a written statement.

The president's accountant in Midland, Robert McCleskey, purchased the house at 10141 Daria Place as a trustee on Oct. 3, according to records on file with the Dallas Central Appraisal District, which values the home at $2,078,660.

Mr. McClesky, who has handled Mr. Bush’s personal finances for years, declined to say Thursday for whom he purchased the property. The seller, Dallas developer Dan Boeckman, also declined to discuss the transaction when reached by telephone Thursday.

Built in 1959, it sits on 1.13 acres, has four bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, a wet bar, a fireplace, and 8,501 square feet of living space, including 896 square feet of servant quarters.

D magazine's real estate blog reported Wednesday night that the house next door went under contract last week, and the buyer remains a mystery. The deal is scheduled to close next Wednesday.

That house had been listed for sale at $1.6 million – unlike the house Mr. McCleskey bought, which was never formally on the market.

The next-door house is about half the size, on a slightly larger parcel, and would be well suited for Secret Service or even guest quarters.

Both properties, as D noted, back to estates of 14 and 24 acres, the latter owned by investor Tom Hicks – making it a site the Secret Service could approve. Mr. Hicks could not be reached Thursday morning for comment.

A constant parade of reporters, TV news trucks and curious onlookers drove past the home on Thursday.

A woman identifying herself as the home’s owner confronted photographers and asked them to stop taking pictures of the house.  She refused to identify herself.

Dallas County records show that the house was previously owned by Daniel Boeckman, a Dallas investor, and his wife, Laura. Daniel Boeckman did not immediately return a phone call Thursday.

Christine Tomasides, a mother of two and corporate contract writer who lives a half-block from the home, said she knew something was up about a month ago when black SUVs began rolling into the neighborhood. Secret Service agents often use such vehicles.

“It all makes sense now,” Tomasides said.

She described the neighborhood as peaceful, quiet and a place

where people stay out of each other’s business. She said she’d never seen as much traffic as there was on the street Thursday.  Tomasides welcomed her new neighbors—and the heightened security they’ll bring.

“Laura Bush seems like such a fine person, and I can’t imagine anyone not wanting her as a neighbor,” Tomasides said. “And him, too, regardless of your political affiliation.”

Another of Bush’s possible nearby neighbors is Allan Bell, 63, a retired accountant who’s lived up the street for 22 years.

“I like the guy. I think he did a good job,” Bell said. “This should be interesting once all the hoorah dies down.”

Mrs. Bush reiterated the couple's plans to return to Dallas on Wednesday, but was vague on whether they've settled in a place to call home after Jan. 20.

"We will be moving to Dallas in January, and there might be a new house coming along," she told reporters during a tour of White House holiday decorations. "So I think that's where we'll spend our Christmas money."

The Bushes previously lived in Preston Hollow from December 1988 through January 1995, before moving to the Texas governor’s mansion in Austin, Texas. The Bushes will continue to spend some time at their ranch in Crawford, Texas, McDonough said.

Their lease at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. runs out in 47 days.

Staff writer Alan Peppard contributed to this report.