TexasWaterFrontRanches

Sandy Ranch Creek

Sandy Ranch features a 5,474 SF custom Tuscan style home in centered around a rooftop waterfall cascading into the pool with spa and surrounded by covered patios. Cantera doors lead to the great room with fireplace and open to dining area with a wall of windows revealing the patios and pool. From your stunning pool, you can view the centerpiece of the property: the dammed, spring-fed creek framing the back of the home. In times of severe drought, this creek is supplemented by its own 40 gpm well.

You can see more Sandy Ranch by viewing the listing, or enjoying this video of the waterscaping.

190 One River Point

Rains have come and the rivers are up, giving waterfront properties in central Texas hill country beautiful  views and sounds.

The stunning property on One River Point in Johnson City is 15.68 acres inside a gated community, with 574 feet of waterfront on the Pedernales River.

The limestone bottomed Pedernales provides fantastic fishing holes, and the entire property has mature oaks and great hill country and river views, for your quiet, peaceful, serene slice of central Texas at its best.

This property was just listed at $399,000. You can see the full listing, and more pictures, here.

Share

A new rule approved by the Texas Department of Insurance and adopted in August allows title insurance companies to take a “Blanket Exception” on their responsibility to determine whether a landowner owns the mineral rights to their property. Under the rule, title insurance companies no longer have to do extra title searches on a property, and it also may protect them from legal action.

The new rule will make it harder for landowners to determine if they own the mineral rights on their property, but may not lead to a discounted price with (arguably) reduced coverage. A panel of judges have held a hearing in the past few weeks regarding insurance rates, and are currently reviewing paperwork and evidence. Insurance industry groups are seeking an increase in title insurance rates, while the Office of Public Insurance Counsel (which represents consumers) agrees with the new rule, but is seeking a rate decrease. Title insurance rates are typically higher in Texas than other states, and are set by the Insurance Department. The decision by the panel will come in November.

Title companies say that forcing them to insure mineral rights statewide on every piece of property they insured would be too high of a cost burden that would cause insurance rates for all consumers to skyrocket. Critics call the new rule less work for the insurance companies at the same rates.

 On if property owners should receive a discount, Deputy Insurance Commissioner Robert Carter, who oversees Title Insurance, says: “[the State Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin] wants to hear that issue in the future.”

Buyers or sellers are required to buy title insurance on almost every land transaction. A title policy is essentially a guarantee that the title company will defend the owner in court if there’s ever a dispute about the ownership of a piece of land. Title companies typically run a records check before issuing a title policy, to make sure there’s no cloud over the chain of ownership or over other issues such as easements. Typically, the title company will include a list of exceptions, such as alleys, that are not guaranteed under the policy (explains  Mike Lee of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, who first reported this story).

East Creek

September’s #2 Top Real Estate Deal for Austin is even a better deal than before – a new price reduction has the East Creek gentleman’s ranch listed at $1,500,000.

See the listing for this stunning property here and read about this 5,700 sq ft Texas limestone home, completely updated 2004-2005, set among mature oaks and featuring a sparkling pool with waterfall and slide.

Dream Horse Property

The Dream Horse Property in McDade has also been reduced, to $1,995,000. Your horses will feel at home on these 51 acres of sandy loam soil, rolling hills and green pastures, and you will love the 6,800+ custom home with luxury features and beautiful design.

Read more about the property here, or see video of the outside of the home and all the horse features here.

Hill Country

Cow Creek

30+ acres surrounded by tall peaks with frontage on clear, limestone bottomed Cow Creek. Cleared, manicured land reveals big oaks and elms, nice grasslands – perfect for horses, hunting and grazing. Incredible Hill Country views throughout. Small hunting cabin with covered storage and fenced corrals. Entire property is fully fenced and gated with plenty of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and dove. No hunting restrictions, no deed restrictions. Accessed via the Preserve at Balcones Canyonland neighborhood (but not part of the community). This is the perfect Hill Country hideaway! See the listing here.

Farm Credit specializes in financing rural real estate in the south, and they offer plenty of free advice with their Fenceposts Blog and Landscapes Magazine articles. 

Also on their site, they offer Tips for Buying Rural Real Estate. These tips can be helpful for both someone new to ranch real estate or anyone who wants to make sure nothing is overlooked.

1. Local Advice

Get the advice of a local Realtor or loan officer who is both experienced in rural real estate, and knows the area well. They will know the local market, may know the histories of the properties in the area, and they can put you in touch with contractors and service providers.

2. Infrastructure

Be sure to ask about water and sewer services, trash pickup and road maintenance, school bus service, electric, phone, cable and high speed internet.

3.   Tax Advantages

A rural property may qualify for a tax credit, special appraisal or direct exemption. There may be existing ag exemptions.

4. Environmental Factors

By law, the presence of endangered species may limit ability to do some things like clearing brush or constructing buildings. Federal law also holds landowners accountable for contamination cleanup even if it occured before they owned the property – buyers can predetermine some environmental hazards and obtain  some liability protection.

Sandy Ranch

5. Codes and Restrictions

Government restrictions, county subdivision laws or extended territorial jurisdictions may affect subdivision of land.

6. Insurance

Some providers might not offer insurance for outside of city limits.  Your Realtor or loan officer can help.

7.  Local Land Use

Pay attention to what others in the area are using land for (for example, if you are ok living next to a large livestock operation) and any proposed developments.

8. Property Improvements

Improvements (such as fences or walls) can be expensive, especially on large properties. Certain improvements (such as septic systems or wells) may require certain county permits. Look into any permits and construction costs first, as well as needed well depths and septic system requirements for the soil conditions.

9. Maintenance Costs

Landscaping, repairs, equipment, and any building will all require additional costs.

10. Financing Country Homes

Some mortgage companies may only finance a certain number of acres, your Realtor can help you find a lender and the loan you’re looking for.

East Creek

From Top10RealEstateDeals.com, the Top 10 Regional Deals List for the month of September 2009 in the city of Austin features beautiful East Creek in the number two position. This gentleman’s ranch is beautiful country living in a sophisticated soon to be gated community, with both horse and home ammenities catching the eye to make this property one of Austin’s top deals.

See the full top ten deals list here, and see more of the property listing here.

Horses in Field at the Dream Horse Property

Buying a residential property can be difficult enough without having to consider the extra needs of a horse. But there is help – some sources on the internet give useful tips that even a seasoned buyer might not have considered.

From the Ezine article “Tips for Buying a Horse Farm”:

- Consider the house.
It’s deceptively simple: make sure that your home is one you can live in. This will be the home for your horse, and yours as well. If you plan to buy a property and build a new house or do renovations, make sure you’ve factored in all the costs, even some possible surprise ones.

- The barn: size and convenience.
Does it fit all your horse’s needs? Is it conveniently located, with enough access?

- Check for ample water supply.
Particularly in Texas, there may be dry periods. This article recommends having two sources of water available, in case of emergency. For example, our “Dream Horse Property” has two separate wells – one for the home, and the second with sprinklers to irrigate the pastures. Similarly, Rancho Estacia’s sprinkler system is fed from the lake.

- Check the pastures.
Are they steep or hilly? Are they quality? How is the soil quality? How about gating? Make sure they suit your needs.

Horses at Gabriel's Horn Ranch

HorseRides.org’s article “Things to Consider When Buying a Horse Property” echoes some of the same considerations; making sure the home is a good fit for both you and your horse. Extras like riding arenas may make a big difference. But they offer another big tip: get an expert to help you find this property. An Real Estate Agent used to farms and ranches, as well as the area you’re looking at, can offer expertise, a wider choice, and better understanding of your needs. The Dave Murray Team agents are your experts in Central Texas Waterfront, Development, Luxury and Ranch properties, serving all your needs from first time buyers to relocation. #1 Team in the #1 Coldwell Banker Texas Office, and Top 10 of all Realtors in the Greater Austin Area.

A jet skiier enjoys Lonesome Bayou

Recreation with family and friends is the focus of the Lonesome Bayou Ranch. This 100 acre waterfront property is sold turnkey, down to the dishes and towels, but also is sold with a 16 foot boat (and trailer) and 2 jet skis (with trailer); and the property features a concrete boat launch and boat slip along with jet ski slip. Other waterfront recreation opportunities include three fishing docks with floodlights and aerated swimming pond.

Other items with sale include 4 four-wheelers (with trailer), dune buggy and jeep to enjoy the horse/ATV trails through the woods and green pastures.

These videos are taken from the Lonesome Bayou Ranch, one from an ATV and the second from a jetski. The last is a virtual tour.

Lonesome Bayou Listing and Photos

Listing