TexasWaterFrontRanches

Horses in the Lush Fields

Imagine turning your horses out onto the 50 acres lush grasses in soft, sandy loam soil of this magnificent luxury ranch located in McDade, TX. Green rolling hills provide the perfect backdrop to the stunning 6,800+ SF home with stables and barn.

Home on Property

Looking for more land? Up to 373 additional acres are available to make this horse paradise in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Find out more about this stunning property.

Lake LBJ, originally known as Granite Shoals Lake, was renamed in 1965 for President Lyndon B. Johnson, in honor of his work on the project as a US Congressman and Senator. LBJ also owned a ranch on the lake, where he and his wife Lady Bird entertained foreign dignitaries during his vice presidency and presidency.

Created by the Wirtz Dam, Lake LBJ is fed by Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake upstream, as well as the unregulated Llano River. At its normal water level (almost constant), the lake is 6,200 acres at the surface and 21 miles long. The communities of Horseshoe Bay, Kingsland, Sunrise Beach and Granite Shoals are all communities on Lake LBJ. It is 45 miles from Austin, and is considered one of the most scenic and peaceful lakes in the Highland Lakes chain.

Highland Lakes Part Three: Lake Marble Falls

Highland Lakes Part Two: Lake Travis

Highland Lakes Part One: Lake Austin

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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Miller Creek

Just listed: beautiful 4,950 Sq. Ft. custom home on 68 acres in Texas Hill Country. Sits on 800 ft on both sides of Miller Creek.

Home Features:

• Stone entry with custom wrought iron door & wood beam ceiling
• Full Commercial Thermador kitchen – 6 burner oven with griddle, 3 ovens, built-in microwave, ice maker, dishwasher, trash compactor, built-in refrigerator and freezer – All appliances have wood fronts to match cabinets. Kitchen also features Custom Beveled granite countertops, extra large island with breakfast bar, attached breakfast room, large walk-in pantry.
• Breakfast Room with buffet, shelves, built in TV, wall of mirrors and large stone fireplace. Formal Dining Room with Wall of windows overlooking creek, Solid wood beam and stained wood ceiling, Stone walls with arched passages. Wet Bar with Stainless steel sink, Wine fridge, built in cabinets and stone walls.
• Great Room with Huge masonry fireplace, Large stained wooden trusses with custom ironwork – 100% wood ceiling, Full glass wall overlooking pool and creek
• Master Bedroom with stone fireplace, wall of windows overlooking pool & creek, Built-in computer desk, bookcases, TV, His and Hers entrance into Bath/Dressing areas. Master bath with his & hers walk-in closets, Walk-in natural stone shower, rock walls with arches, Large Jacuzzi tub, Stone entrance to Exercise area, Vaulted ceiling with wood beams, Separate water closet.
• Exercise Room with Large windows overlooking creek, Wood wainscot, Mirrored wall, Music/TV. Utility Room with Sink, Built-in cabinets, Freezer area. Game/Media Room with 100% stain wood stairway, Wrought iron handrails, Walk-in closet, Built-in Desks, Built-in Entertainment Center, View of creek.
• Detached 4 Car Garage with Attached Breezeway to House

Miller Creek

Exterior Features:

• Stone entry gate with communal gate operations, Intercom to house, 8 foot custom iron gates.
• Stone lined custom heated pool with pebble tech plaster, 6 person Hot Tub overlooking creek. Lighted stone walkway to creek. Flagstone deck around pool.
• Large flagstone terrace the entire length of house with Built-in TV and stainless steel gas BBQ Pit on terrace overlooking creek.
• Large (20 ft x 18 ft) BBQ Cabana with Full kitchen, TV & custom Commercial wood Burning BBQ pit
• Bath with outdoor shower, Large fire pit with built-in rock seats, Wrought iron fencing around fully landscaped yard.
• Approx. 3 acres of house, pasture is irrigated. Fenced horse pasture and antique windmill. 2×2, “no climb” fenced horse pasture. All fencing is new or excellent condition.
• 3 stall stable with 2nd floor office/gameroom. Tack and feed Barn, Hay barn, fenced paddock. Round pen/roping arena with square feed lot. Wood and storage shed.
• Well house with game cleaning area. 4 wells with 25 gal per minute capacity and rainwater collection system with 10000 gal collection tank.
• 3 RV hook-ups for guests
• 1 acre stock pond. Miller Creek is stocked with bass, catfish and perch. Other spring locations on property with the availability to add multiple other water features.
• Cedar has been cleared on all but 10 acres. Ag Exempt – cattle. Wildlife abounds: Whitetail deer, turkey, Axis, Seika.
• Fenced and gated garden with limestone planters

If you are interested in this property, or one similar, contact us today.

 Take a virtual tour:

The Falls: 315 Acres on Lake Travis

This stunning piece of property features Lake Travis waterfront and views, with cleared fields and mature trees.

This property includes frontage on two paved, maintained county roads with a hard corner. The land gently slopes to the approx. 3700 feet of waterfront on deep Bee Hollow Cove on the Lake. Many waterfront and lake view build sites sit on the property, that is surrounded by high-end waterfront homes and ranches.

Lake View

Located in the Lago Vista, water and sewer will be provided by the city. Lago Vista ISD is an exceptional school district, with Lago Vista High School rated as one of the top ten high schools in Central Texas (Austin Monthly). With the completion of the 183A Tollway, this area will not just be attractive to second home buyers from around Texas, but for primary residences as well.

This location would make an excellent personal ranch or land investment. Take your chance to see the listing today.

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.

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

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.