TexasWaterFrontRanches

Miller Creek Ranch

Yesterday, snow fell all over central Texas, turning wooded creeks and ranches into beautiful winter vistas. Rare but not unheard of through this area, the last significant snowfall was on Valentine’s Day in 2004. Yesterday, the hill country got two inches, with Austin getting closer to one inch and parts of Williamson county, north of Austin, receiving three inches.  

Miller Creek

The Miller Creek Ranch is a luxurious 4,950 square foot custom home on 68 acres of hill country in Johnson City. Already a stunning property featuring 800 feet of both sides of dammed Miller Creek, winter snow reveals a whole new side of this beautiful ranch. You could imagine relaxing in the six person spa overlooking the creek, soaking in the large jacuzzi tub looking out the window, or by one of the stone fireplaces watching the snow fall.  You can’t help but enjoy the views that this ranch has to offer.

Lake Buchanan View

This distinctive lakefront estate home on Lake Buchanan has huge waterfront views and 800 feet of shoreline, making it one of the most spectacular waterfront properties on the lake.

Sitting on 7.15 manicured acres, the 8,900 square foot main home includes cathedral ceilings, hand scraped wood floors and state-of-the-art features. Along with Lutron lighting, a whole home sound and security system, the home has an elevator running from the sub floor to second floor.

Front of Estate

Inside the gourmet kitchen are granite counters, a beautiful breakfast bar, a center island, high end appliances, and a pantry with a secret passage to the upstairs bedroom. A separate breakfast area has big windows with those stunning lake views.

The family room features a gas fireplace, built in surround and lake views from the wall of windows. The main floor balcony has a full outdoor kitchen, dining area and wood burning fireplace. The formal dining room has wood floors and entrance to covered balcony.

Deck View

A library features a gas fireplace and built-ins, and the study attached to the library has built-ins and a secret passage to the master suite. The master suite features a gas fireplace, built-ins, and doors to a private balcony with a stone wood burning fireplace. The well-appointed master bath has a walk-in shower, his-and-hers vanities and a garden tub with fantastic lake views. The master suite also features a walk-through closet, separate utility room and separate hobby room or living area.

A second bedroom suite features a living area, built-in study, sitting area and bath with garden tub and separate shower. A third bedroom also includes an en-suite bath.

The media room is wired for projector and surround system. The big game room includes wet bar, and a covered patio outside the game room with fireplace. Other features of the house include a climate controlled stone wine room, mirrored exercise room with damage resistant rubber floors, and separate entry guest apartment with kitchen and full bath.

Back of Home

Three levels of balconies, each with fireplace, offer big views of the lake and pool, with a two story waterslide. Stone decking and pergola surround the pool, waterslide and spa. There are also big lake views from the separate artist’s studio with full bath and screened in porch.

The property also includes an air-conditioned workshop with nine foot bay doors, half bath and big work area. A separate stone home includes a living room with fireplace, big kitchen, utility rooms, and two bedrooms each with en-suite bath. The manicured grounds feature wooded riding trails, mature pines and oaks, and several gardens, with an easy walk to the Lake Buchanan shoreline with main body and cove frontage.

You can take a tour right now of this amazing property.

Created in 1951 by the Max Starcke Dam, Lake Marble falls is the youngest and the smallest of the Highland Lakes. But it is not without its own share of charm. Beautiful views accompany boating and water recreation. The lake is stocked with native fish and a great spot for fishing, boasting some Texas state record catches.

Double Horn Ranch

Every year in August, for three days the 611 acre lake is home to Lakefest, a quarter mile liquid racetrack for drag boats. Fans enjoy the festivities on shore and the exciting show in the water.

The whole Marble Falls area has some of the most beautiful land and houses to call home, in all of Texas. The Double Horn Ranch is 305 acres of unparalleled waterfront land on the Double Horn Creek for an amazing price. One look at the pictures and you see why this area has its great reputation.

Highland Lakes Part Two: Lake Travis

Highland Lakes Part One: Lake Austin

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.preservationnation.org) has named the city of Bastrop, Texas one of its 2010 “Dozen Distinctive Destinations.”

For the past 10 years, the Trust has named these cities that “offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization.”

Bastrop, Texas was nominated for its thriving but charming downtown and main street, filled with homes and buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries, one of a kind restaurants and shopping, and two state parks. Despite being just 30 miles from Austin, Bastrop has kept its charm and is considered one of the most historic towns in Texas.

The history of Bastrop dates back to 1804, when a fort was established at the Colorado River crossing. In 1823, the Dutch businessman Baron de Bastrop received permission from the Spanish government to develop a German colony at the site, which failed. In 1827, Stephen F. Austin located a small colony of 100 families to the site and named it after his longtime friend. The town was incorporated in 1837, with 1839 as the year the city of Austin was named capital of Texas.  

For the next century, Bastrop provided Austin with lumber and other industry, and was the site of Camp Swift during World War II. In 1947, Bastrop held a homecoming celebration and rodeo for WWII soldiers, a tradition they’ve continued every year. Starting in the 1980s, Bastrop saw a revival as Austin grew and land values soared.

Even now, Bastrop is a great place to live, close enough but still away from the Austin city life, with its own unique charm. This McDade horse ranch has a beautiful 6,800 sq ft custom home on 51 private acres and many equestrian amenities. It is 30 minutes from Austin, and minutes from Bastrop and Bastrop State Park. The ranch provides phenomenal views of the surrounding hill country with beautiful pastures and sandy loam soil.

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Dizzy Rooster Ranch

Dizzy Rooster Ranch

Acres: 56.7 Acres

Location: Lampasas County approximately 10 miles northwest of downtown Lampasas and 5 miles from downtown Lometa on paved CR 2080.

House

Description: The Dizzy Rooster Ranch is a one of a kind, must-see Equestrian and Hunting Ranch. Custom gated entrance with crushed granite road, mature oak and pecan trees, and hill country views. The 1500+ square foot, architecturally unique house comes fully furnished. All improvements were made in late 2008-2009.

There is a 60X50 all steel building/pole barn with 4 large horse stalls, a work shop, garage with concrete slab and 2500 gallon water storage, as well as a carport big enough for 3 trucks. The arena is 200X150 and has light poles as well as a 12X8 custom steel press box. There is also a round horse pen. The front 16 acres is fenced with lock tight wire as well as cross fenced near the house with steel pipe fencing.

Creek

Just below the house is the beautiful spring-fed Barkley Creek. The dam holds about 6 feet of water during normal rainfall years. There is also a 1+/- acre pond that is stocked with large mouth bass, hybrid perch, channel catfish and bluegill. At the pond there is a skeet range for practice shooting. The ranch has had extensive cedar clearing yet the owner has left many trees for wildlife cover. There are also 3 deer blinds and 3 deer feeders.

Wildlife: White Tail Deer, Turkey, Hogs, Fox, Quail, Dove, Coyotes, Beaver, Hawks and some free roaming Exotics. Fish in creek and pond.

Ranch Living

Water: One well with a 2500 gallon storage tank, filter and water softener. Barkley Creek and Pond.

Improvements: House, Barn, Arena, Press Box, Pond, Pipe Fencing, Perimeter and Cross Fencing, Custom Entrance with Electric Gate, Crushed Granite Road, Deer Blinds, Feeders.

Minerals: Exact mineral conveyance to be determined at time of new title commitment.

See the Listing or Virtual Tour for more!

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Hickory Creek Ranch

According to the Wall Street Journal’s article (Green Acres is the Place to Be, 12/2), many new buyers are looking at rural land who weren’t before.

The reasons vary, but the result is definite: rural areas are growing in popularity. One of the most common motivations for buying rural land deals with the pocketbook: in the uncertain economy, land is standing out as a great investment. Many, expecially young singles, have been squirreling away savings, and are starting to look at something that they feel is going to be a more solid investment and a safer, surer bet than the stock market or even a 401(k).  Land is a great asset, and even small plots have appeal to these “starter” groups. It’s “a hedge against an unpredictable future,” the Journal says. Also, the rural market is often stronger than the residential market, and so more rural land can be a great deal over real estate closer to, or in, a city. It’s proving to be a good option whether or not you plan to live on the land.

Hill Country Hideaway

Another group of people looking at farms and ranches are people with more of a “back to their roots” mentality - interested in getting away from the rat race and pace of the city, and to a daily routine involving farming and ranching. This is a wide range of people with everyone from young families looking to get their kids involved, to empty-nesters and retirees who have spent entire careers in an urban environment. They enjoy making money, self sustaining, living green, or just having the fun of this lifestyle as a complete change of pace from what they were used to. “It’s a little like the pioneer spirit,” says one editor, “they still want high-speed Internet but want to feel like they are doing something else for their families.”

Cow Creek Ranch

Some are looking for a way to get away from the city while still being close enough to work, and others may have been forced away from work and are looking to the next opportunity. For many, living on a Texas ranch is something they’ve “always wanted to do.” But for whatever reason, now seems to be the time that so many are feeling the motivation to give ranch life a try.

Dave Murray is your expert in central Texas ranch properties, as well as waterfront, luxury and development. Serving all your real estate needs from first time buyers to relocation, his team is the #1 Team in the #1 Colwell Banker Texas office, and top 10 of all Realtors in the greater Austin area.

305 acre ranch featuring over 3,500 ft. on crystal clear Double Horn Creek and a deep pool perfect for swimming and fishing. 20 mile panoramic views of surrounding Hill Country from hilltop.

These 305 well maintained acres sit on beautiful, spring-fed, rock bottomed, year-round Double Horn Creek – with about 2400 feet on each side of the creek, and 1200 feet to the center of the creek. A waterfall spills into the very deep pool, perfect for water recreation. About 300 feet of Gridiron Creek spills into Double Horn Creek. A good road at the entry leads to a dam on the creek.

A big hilltop gives 20 miles of views of the surrounding hill country. A 25-30 acre cleared pasture is perfect for cattle grazing or a pecan orchard. The ranch is filled with mature trees: pecans, oaks, elms, sycamores, ash and more.

Borders large acreage properties including LCRA parkland. Ag exempt, taxes were $489 last year. Frontage on CR 404 and CR 402 – both are paved public roads. Electricity, telephone, septic and well on property. 15 minutes to Marble Falls, 25 minutes to the Hill Country Galleria.

See the listing or virtual tour for more information and pictures.

Hat Creek

This quintessential Texas gentleman’s ranch features a dammed creek forming a 3 acre lake & plantation style Texas limestone home on manicured grounds. Located in historic Walburg, just outside of Georgetown, it offers easy access from Austin via new SH 130.

The 121 acre gentleman’s ranch is on both sides of the spring-fed creek running through the property, featuring a dam forming a picturesque 3 acre lake. A 4,905 square foot plantation style Texas limestone home sits on manicured acres surrounded by shady oaks and pecans.

Home and Pool

The recently updated home includes Saltillo tile and oak flooring, and recently plastered walls throughout the 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath main home with tall ceilings and open rooms. The big great room open to kitchen features fireplace, a wall of windows, and doors leading to patio and pool. The open kitchen with granite counters, recent appliances and big breakfast area is perfectly paired with the formal dining room with built in banquets.

The master suite has a balcony overlooking the beautiful grounds and lake. The master bath features big double vanity, garden tub, separate shower and walk-in closet.

Living

Other rooms include an additional living room or office at the entry with built in shelving, a main floor game room with sitting area, half bath and doors to the patio, and three additional second floor bedrooms and two additional second floor baths. The second story features a big balcony at the landing with stunning views of the countryside. 

The covered patio runs length of back with plenty of sitting areas, with refurbished pool and new limestone decking just off patios. A 3 car garage attaches to a covered entry leading into kitchen, and a detached garage workshop with 4 bay doors is also on the property. The entry and front border of property features classic white four board fencing.

Barn

Also on the property, one room fishing cabin with covered patio sits near the lake. 1 bed/1 bath foreman’s quarters with living and kitchen. For the equestrian, the property has 8 stall stables with fenced horse paddocks, a lighted riding/rodeo arena with new announcer’s tower, and is fenced and cross-fenced acreage form good grazing pastures for horses and cattle.

The listing and photos on The Hat Creek Ranch can be seen here. Or visit the virtual tour, here.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and many households are starting to decorate their homes for the holidays. Soon, our streets and neighborhoods should be filled with twinkling holiday lights. If lights are part of your holiday traditions, this year, LED lights offer a new option to save energy, save money on your bills, and more.

What are LED lights? LED is an acronym for “light emitting diode.” Lights are traditionally miniature incandescent bulbs, with a filament inside them. Basically, LED lights do not have this filament, but rather, are lit by moving electrons in semiconductor material.

These have many advantages. For one, they don’t burn as hot, making them safer, and cool to the touch. They can be encased in a plastic material, instead of the thin glass that older lights are made of, making them harder to break. The wires are thicker, making them harder to tangle. They last longer, sometimes 20 years. And of course, they save energy – using around 80% less energy than traditional lights.

LED technology has been around for a while, but has only caught on for holiday lighting in recent years. Now they come in all colors, and can blink. The past three years have seen LED lights grow more and more popular – they have been used on the Rockefeller Center tree since 2007.

Miller Creek Ranch

What are the disadvantages to LED lights? They cost more upfront, for one. You can expect to pay two or three dollars more, per strand. The main complaint with the lights is the appearance – the glow is just different, and some don’t like it. But as we get more used to seeing these lights, the safety and efficiency is something we can all feel good about seeing this holiday season.

Photo: Miller Creek Ranch

Read more:

Wise Geek’s LED article

“What We Are Decking the Halls With: LED Christmas Lights” from the Omaha World Herald

Perfectly located gentleman’s ranch in community east of Dripping Springs. Country Living Along Spring-Fed East Creek. 25 Minutes to Austin in Exemplary Dripping Springs ISD.

Full listing with features, photos and virtual tour here.

Video Tour: