TexasWaterFrontRanches

Austin, Texas has caught the eyes of lots of top economic analysts trying to find the best places to live and work in the country right now. Strong growth and opportunity makes property in Austin a great investment. Some highlights:

The Today Show listed Austin as the #3 market most primed to rebound quickly.

WomenCo listed Austin as #1 City for your Career

Relocation.Com listed Austin as #1 City for a Fresh Start

Forbes listed Austin as #1 City for your Money, and the #2 City where Americans are Relocating.

Fortune Small Business named Georgetown, just north of Austin, #1 city to start a business.

Austin is the #1 Top Performing Metro Area.

The USDA has announced a three week sign up period for farmers to receive a part of its $50 million Organic Initiative, through EQIP, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The sign up period is May 11 – May 29.

This is for:
- growers switching to organic production
- growers expanding their organic operations
- certified organic farmers who want to expand stewardship work

Six practices will be eligible for support:
- conservation crop rotation
- cover crops
- integrated pest management
- nutrient management
- rotational grazing
- forage harvest management

Farmers can receive a maximum of $20,000 a year per farm in organic transition funding and up to $80,000 per farm in six years.

Reuters article
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Organic Egg Farm

Views of Lake Travis From The Montandon Ranch

It’s rare to find big acreage close to the main body of Lake Travis and even more rare to find something that’s easily buildable.  The Montandon Ranch on the North Shore of Lake Travis in the Singleton Bend area features 171 acres of dramatic views, manicured acreage and big, deep waterfront across from Barton Creek Lakeside with its 18 hole Arnold Palmer designed course. This ranch is fully fenced and gated with 3 wells, stock tank and pond. Underground utilities and well are at the perfect building spot perched on a hilltop with panoramic Hill Country views and as well as Lake Travis views up and down river. Waterfront includes some cove frontage as well as main body waterfront. Keep the agricultural exemption by running cattle on portions of the land.  Bring your horses to explore the 171 acres of rolling hills, mature oaks and Hill Country vistas. There’s also the possibility of subdividing this property into a 100 acre tract and a 71 acre tract.  Either way, the Montandon Ranch is the place to build your ultimate Lake Travis Ranch.

Cow Creek Ranch

Far northwest Travis County seems like a different world when compared to the urban core of Austin.  Here you can find some of the tallest hills in the area – many of them reaching to 1,200 ft.  The Cow Creek Ranch consists of 372 acres nestled in these hills as well as over 800 ft. of crystal clear Cow Creek which flows into Lake Travis about 5 miles from this property. Very private, this ranch is surrounded by large acreage ranches and the federally protected, 30,000+ acre Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a habitat set aside for various endangered species such as the The Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo and Painted Bunting. This ensures panoramic views of these canyons

Panoramic Views of Canyons and Hills

and hills for generations to come. In keeping with the nature of the land surrounding it, special conservation easements have also been placed on the Cow Creek Ranch to minimalize development and enhance the beauty of this special place.  Wet weather creeks and draws criss-crossing the property have carved stunning grottoes into the limestone hills on the property.  Several pastures have been cleared on the property creating the perfect place for a ranch home.  Apart from endangered species, other wildlife seen on the property include turkey, deer and wild hogs – perfect for hunters. Click here to find out more about the ranch.

Gracy Title just released their list of top public swimming holes in Austin, Texas. From their list, here are a few of our favorites:

1.       Hamilton Pool

“Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create a 50 foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon.”

2.       Barton Springs Pool

“Within Zilker Park’s 358 acres, lies one of the crown jewels of Austin, Barton Springs Pool. Three acres in size, the pool is fed from under ground springs and is on average 68 degrees year round.” 

3.       Krause Springs

“There are 32 springs on the property, and several feed the manmade pool and the natural pool which flows into Lake Travis.”

4.       Blue Hole, Wimberly

            “Native grasses, wildflowers and groves of varieties of central Texas trees and shrubs are decoratively combined with rocky outcrops, creating a scenic and special environment.”

If you enjoy these beautiful natural features of Central Texas, but would love a more private spot, Dave Murray has many listings that will fit your idea of the perfect Texas oasis. Dave Murray Ranches

Krause  Springs                                    Barton Springs                                                Blue Hole

Many properties in Lake Travis and the Hill Country area are on some significant acreage.  People refer to them as ranches but very few are actually working livestock.  These days, the term “ranch” really refers to property with some acreage allowing for privacy.

Lake Travis Estate Property

One of our listings, Rancho Estacia, is a great example of a private, luxury ranch that’s not a “working ranch.”  Although it does have excellent horse facilities, this estate was built for entertaining and recreation.  Find out more about this property by clicking on the image or going here.