For some suburban Americans, the idea of owning a piece of Texas ranchland has been a long dream in the making. The wide open spaces, the disconnect from the hectic commutes to the city, and the serenity that comes with a working ranch beckons to some investors like no other form of real estate could. A Texas ranch is more than just a piece of property; it’s a whole other lifestyle.
Buying such a piece of this dream isn’t one that should be done without a lot of careful consideration and expert guidance, however. And though you’ll get plenty of worthwhile information in this post, the following words should serve as your gateway into the process, showing you what you can expect if you take the next moves in fulfilling your desire to own a Texas ranch.
The lifestyle a Texas ranch offers is like no other
Buying rural acreage will certainly conjure certain images in the mind of any buyer. Living away from the city can be a relaxing experience, prompting many buyers to secure second homes and retirement property away from the urban centers. But a Texas ranch offers a lot more than just separation from the bustle of a city. A Texas ranch is an entire lifestyle of its own.
Many who buy Texas ranches do so to live this experience, even if it’s just for part of the year. Ranch property gives you the opportunity to host cattle, whether they are your own or belong to a cattle farmer you lease the ranch land to. No matter if you work the ranch on your own or have specialized property management, you’ll get to live the life of a true Texas rancher. Caring for livestock, assisting in the birthing of calves, and selling heads of cattle at the livestock exchange will give you a great sense of what the lifestyle will bring.
Homes on these ranches are located to maximize privacy. These remote locations are perfect places for short term stays and permanent vacations.
A Texas ranch won’t likely produce the income needed to sustain it
Ranching for profit is certainly possible, but not a likely scenario for newcomers to this industry. Ranchland isn’t necessarily inexpensive to buy, making the upfront cost of doing business enough to dissuade most people from entering the real estate transaction purely for the sake of generating a business. Certain financial considerations need to be made before you buy ranchland in Texas, so you won’t be surprised at the results.
Though there is money to be made in buying and selling livestock, you’ll lose a lot of profit by having the ranch taken care of by specialized property management teams. And unless you are well versed in how to take care of livestock, your ranch will benefit from the help of hired hands that are experienced.
Needless to say, buying a Texas ranch should be more about the experience and lifestyle than it would be about creating business income. But that doesn’t mean a Texas ranch isn’t a solid real estate investment. History shows that these purchases have made solid financial sense for many buyers.
But a Texas ranch is still a solid investment in real estate
A Texas ranch will have hundreds, if not thousands, of acres. And even though acreage is costly, it has shown time and time again to be a solid move for buyers to acquire this sort of property. Though there will be some income there for an investor if they choose to rent the ranch out to cattle farmers, the real money will come when it’s time for you to divest.
The price of rural Texas acreage has greatly increased over the decades, and forecasts show that this will continue to be a reality. Buying and holding a Texas ranch will be a solid investment, with a dramatic increase in the price per acre giving you a likely high profit when the time comes for you to sell.
Buying a Texas ranch requires a real estate agent that specializes in this niche market
There are a great number of experienced real estate agents in the Lone Star state, many of whom work exclusively in separate niche markets. Unlike agents that work strictly with residential properties, an agent that represents buyers and sellers of ranch property will need to bring an extra set of specialized skills to the table.
An experienced agent that helps to move ranch property will need to show that they’re adept in guiding a buyer through an entirely different loan process than they would if their client were just buying a home. High acreage properties are more difficult to finance, and you’ll benefit from the right agent’s advice.
Additionally, you’ll want an agent that knows about your mineral rights options as a buyer or a seller. To be brief, consider what would happen if a resource like oil were to be discovered under your land. Just because you own what’s on the surface doesn’t mean you own what’s underneath the soil. An agent that specializes in ranch property will lead you to the right decision on why and how mineral rights should be a part of your property purchase.
Is a Texas ranch the right investment for you?
Buying any piece of real estate should be done after a lot of thought and consideration. Financial planning, long term goals, and a strategy for how ranch property will be used can be readily outlined with the help of a real estate professional. If you are interested in owning a Texas ranch, an agent like Gaines Slade will make your dream a reality. Gaines has years of experience in this niche market, providing professional guidance and support for both buyers and sellers of Texas ranch property.
