Archive for the ‘Hill Country Ranches’ Category
Tips for Buying Rural Real Estate
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 is #2 on Austin’s Top 10 Regional Deal List
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.
Tips for Purchasing a Horse Property
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.
Texas Style Recreation: Lonesome Bayou Ranch
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.
San Gabriel River Horse Ranch
Gabriel's Horn Ranch
Georgetown is one of Central Texas’ fastest growing cities. Close to employers like Dell and Samsung but far away fromthe traffic of downtown Austin to feel like you’re really out in the country. The Georgetown area has an abundance of natural features including rolling hills, limestone caves and the clear, limestone bottomed San Gabriel River. The Gabriel’s Horn Ranch features over 2,000 ft. along the San Gabriel River as well as 60 acres of rolling green pastures surrounded by hills. This gated luxury ranch includes a 6,000 SF estate home completed in 2007. This incredible home includes a gourmet kitchen, a sub-level game/media room, separate entry guest suite, luxurious master suite and great room with 20 ft. stone fireplace and two story windows showcasing views of the surrounding Hill Country. Oak groves surround the home offering both shade and additional privacy. Fenced paddocks surround the 4 stall barn with office, wash room, tack room, pest control system and round pen. This gentleman’s ranch offers a fantastic investment
San Gabriel River
along one of Central Texas’ strongest live water rivers close to several of the major cities in the Greater Austin area. Whether looking for a recreational escape, room to raise horses or raise a family in the top rated Liberty Hill ISD or just land hold in anticipation of future growth, The Gabriel’s Horn Ranch is a “can’t miss” opportunity. Additional waterfront acreage available.
South Austin Organic Farm
Onion Creek
This property is no longer for sale. Thank you for your interest!
Sometimes extraneous issues force us to think outside the box when it comes to possible land uses. Our 27 acre pasture-raised egg farm listing is a perfect example of that. At first glance, this property seems like a golden opportunity – 27 acres on some of the best live water in the area and 9 minutes from downtown Austin! The only problem? It’s 90% in the floodplain and there’s really only room for one home on the property. Instead of calling this beautiful piece of property unusable, the owner saw a fantastic business opportunity that not only found a great use for the land but also taps into our green sensibilities. He has free roaming hens and sells pasture-raised eggs. The hens are free of hormones, antibiotics and no pesticides are used on the USDA Certified Organic land. They roam freely, eat off the land and lay nutritious, delicious eggs that are gathered and sold. These eggs can be found at Whole Foods, local Austin restaurants and local farmer’s markets. This property is a great reminder that with a little ingenuity, we can turn something that might seem worthless into a golden opportunity. Find out more about Vital Farms.
Premier Hill Country Ranch
The Miller Creek Ranch
One of the crown jewels of the Texas Hill Country, The Miller Creek Ranch is a premier luxury ranch located between Johnson City and Dripping Springs in the heart of The Texas Hill Country.
This thoroughbred horse farm features picturesque green pastures and a state-of-the-art 16 stall horse barn nestled in a valley surrounded by the finest of Texas’ Hill Country peaks. 6,000 ft. of crystal clear Miller Creek, one of the strongest year-round creeks in the Hill Country, flow through the property. Portions of the creek are dammed, providing dramatic water quality and beauty. Several small lakes filled with bass, catfish and crappie provide excellent fishing opportunities. These 895 acres have been cleared of cedars, encouraging growth of big oaks, native grasses and native plants as well as creating a perfect home for both native and non-native wildlife. Hunting is plentiful with white tail and axis deer, quail, wild boar and many other species.
Retreat to a custom estate home of approx. 5,500 sq. feet featuring a native stone façade and 4 bedrooms/4.5 baths with natural stone and hardwood pine floors accentuating the limestone walls. The heart of the home, the gourmet kitchen features limestone counters, stainless Viking appliances, copper sinks, 30 ft. beamed ceilings and gorgeous views of the pool and manicured gardens. The great room at entry is anchored by a limestone fireplace and features wet bar and tall ceilings. A truly relaxing escape, the master suite includes a sitting area, stone fireplace, and luxurious bath with walk-in shower, two separate vanities each with a sitting area, sewing room and garden tub. Each of the other 3 bedrooms include a full bath. Gardens surround the flagstone patio spreading out from the covered porch and lead to a heated pool with hot tub, limestone fireplace with BBQ pit, exercise room and outdoor restrooms. Large, manicured oaks frame the home, shading the manicured grounds. Visitors can stay at one of two guest cabins near the fishing lake. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a turn-key live water luxury ranch with world class horse facilities only 35 miles west of Austin, 50 miles north of San Antonio. Find out more about this premier property!
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