for my parents! They have made the final decision to move from Ohio down here to Texas and hope to do so fairly soon. Therefore, they have asked me if anyone here knows of land for sale. They are looking for about 70-100 acres, fit for cattle raising, no need for a house as they are fine with putting up a manufactured home. They are looking right now outside of Paris but will look in other places as well. Here is mom's original thread: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/683951/ . Thanks everyone!!
:) Kim
need land....
That's very exciting, Kim! I hope they find something soon. :-) (I'm in the middle of Houston, so I'm no help except for as a cheerleader. LOL)
Now this is spooky. I was just thinking about your Mom today Kim. I was thinking wouldn't it be great if they moved to Texas?! I'm pretty sure any land around Fredericksburg is priced through the roof, but she might consider looking in surrounding areas like Mason. Moving from where they are now to the Hill Country would be a big shock though I'm thinking. East Tx would be closer to the climate she's used to. Paris I would think would be fairly dry. But maybe not. She likes the coast though. Would she consider that?
They are excited about it. They looked around this area and hill country but indeed it is way over what they could afford. They are looking forward to milder temps, although I warned her that up there would be cooler than where I am at. They get an average of 45 inches a year....I have no idea whether that is dry or not. Sounds like otherwise it is similar to back home except that winter won't last as long. Up there it seems to go on forever. I'm not sure about the coast, any ideas on counties she could check into?
Thanks, Kim
Hi - I posted this on your mom's thread, but thought you might
like to see it here too.
http://www.unitedcountry.com/
http://pages.ebay.com/realestate/
Kim, 45 inches a year is more than twice our rainfall. Forty-five inches a year brings back memories of living in Houston. I envy them for their rain.:) For the last 5 or so years atleast, we have been in a droubt so it's been less than that. I think less than 20 a year. Ranching, farming etc. is much different here.
The coast is a great place for vacations, but how do your Mom and Dad feel about hurricanes? Silly question, but something to consider. Some people are terrified by them.
One thing to consider now that wasn't such a factor before is the high cost of gas. Living too far from jobs, schools and where you need to shop can be costly now, and it is going to get worse, not better. I know you said they are planning to raise cattle, but some of the people in ranching have to have another source of money coming in to make it through some of the bad years, so a job is still a possible problem. I'm in the Hill Country, too, and the developers snatch up many of the large parcels of land, driving up prices. It's a shame...we don't need that land developed or sold in smaller parcels. Where is the water going to come from for all the people flooding in?
Yes, water is a huge issue. It's going to be a bigger issue than gas before long.
Now, I'm no expert on land in Texas; however, the man who
owns the irrigation and construction company who installed
my sprinklers and built the patio and screened porch, put in the
French drains here, etc.... is very well off and owns a lot of property,
and he knows a thing or two. He has several crews working in
this area at any given time, and also builds new houses in Florida.
This is what he said to me recently when he was here to check on
my gutters:
He is buying land around Weatherford, because he's also concerned
about the new toll road and doesn't want to be anywhere near it.
He's concerned about the coming land grab by the state in this area
and doesn't want to be anywhere near it. He's putting his money where
his mouth is. I'm just telling this for what it's worth.
You might take into consideration things like the availability of good
medical care in the area, as well as things like shopping, crime rates, etc.
Most larger towns these days have their own websites, which are a gold
mine of information, also local Chambers of Commerce.
I just know a little about my area and think east texas, especially between Houston and Dallas is a great option, plus there's still some bargains to be had. Manhot's suggestion about selecting property with support services nearby is very important.
Kim,
We lived 26 miles east south east of Cincinnati for a few years and never heard of anyone suffering drought problems. We now own a ranch about 95 miles from Bryan near the village of Winchester.
Rainfall and top soil depth vary so much in Texas. In general, the top soil west of I-35 is very shallow, as little as 1"-2" deep. Rainfall is influenced by the topography, but for the most part declines the farther you are from the coast.
Our average rainfall here is 37.5", but in the last 5 years the rainfall has ranged from 29" last year to a high of 54" in 2004. The years 2005 and 2006 were the driest since the mid 1960s. In other words, Texas suffers cyclic drought periods. Ideally, you want to be close enough to get the rain, but avoid hurricanes damage. The amount of rain dictates what kind of grass you can grow. Burmuda grass, probably the grass of choice in Central and East Texas needs 30" of rain to thrive. All the Burmuda grass varieties make good pasture grass. If grown lushly, it will crowd out a large number of weeds. Most of our soil is sandy loam with a few patches of clay (Good for stock ponds.) and two patches of rocky soil that has poor soil/plant contact. We got out soil information by visiting the local UDSA office to get a soils analysis map of the ranch. The county Extension Office in the county your parents are interested in is a good source of information.
One last thing, tornadoes. Tornado Alley is long and wide in Texas. If they decide to live within it and live in a manufactured home, they may want to invest in a storm shelter.
Linda's post reminded me of something. In Texas, you own the water found under your property. There is no limit as to the amount of water you can draw. As a result, water can be very scarce in the hill country. Our water table averages 40'. Out west some folks have had to go down to deeper aquifers — expensive when you have to go through solid limestone.
http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/publications/reports/waterconditions/drought_summary/DroughtUpdate.asp
This message was edited Feb 10, 2007 5:42 PM
Thanks everyone for all of this info. Mom and dad are hoping to visit in the next few weeks to look at some properties and get an idea of what they would like. They have already found some places online that they have been inquiring about thanks to all of the wonderful people here at Dave's and their recommendations. Price is a concern for them, they need to make the move cost effective and it is expensive to move that far. They also need to be able to buy some cattle for my dad. They definitely won't be coming near where I am.....they already noticed it is way too expensive in this area. Just wanted to thank everyone here. If you would like to send some info to mom via d-mail, her name here is craftycritters.
:) Kim
Many areas west of I 35 have very good top soil. Look at the blackland farming west of Waco! We live on a rocky hill here in town and have raised beds for our veggie garden, but our ranch eleven miles west and on the Colorado River and Pecan Bayou has several feet of top soil in many places. Land varies so much that one just has to look and compare. Our realtor thinks land west of Gatesville and south toward Burnet is still affordable and good ranch land. It's far enough from cities and the hunting is not as good, so the prices have not been inflated as much as in some other areas. I hope your parents find just exactly the right piece of property!
We bought in Burnet County,friends of ours in Lampasas and Coryell County.Lampasa, Burnet, Marble Falls, are all nice comunities, and to Austin its just about 40-60 Miles. Also the City of Killeen is growing, with Temple and Belton also close by.Temple got an excellent Hospital, Scott and White, and Killeen Metroplex Hospital.
Around Marble Falls, Burnet etc., they got the Highland Lakes Hospital, even Lampasas got the Metroplex Hospital.
We like the Hill Country, the location and clima, and the land prices are still within reason.
Good luck to your parents
Well.....the big day is approaching! Butterflies in all our stomachs but once it is over then they can start working on finding their new home here in Texas. I think no matter how the sale goes they will be happy for the change. Looking over the ad it is sort of sad for me now, although I wasn't raised here my mom was. The last time I saw it was at Christmas, and the next time I will other people will own it. I've always had a tie to a place I called home, and I guess now that will be gone. Sigh..... life is always changing. I am happy for my parents being brave enough to follow their dreams, most people talk of doing something like this but never do. Here's a link to the ad: http://www.kikoauctions.com/Listings/Auction%20Listings/2.%202007/04-14-07Tessanne.htm . Wish them luck.....they will need it!
Wow, Kim. Do they have pictures without snow too? It looks very cold. Duh.
You're right about them being brave though. That's a huge step. I hope you are able to stay in Texas too since they will be here now.
It is kind of a weird feeling when your parents sell the place you used to call home. When my Dad sold the house in Bellaire, it was a relief because it meant he was finally moving up here and into a much better house. But I didn't like the idea that my home would be bulldozed. It was in pretty bad shape because the foundation had settled. But it kind of felt like part of my childhood had been erased even though the memories are still there.
Dear Kim,
Are they still looking? I will ask my sister Jana about this, she is a Tax Appraiser here.. Maybe she knows something. Will let you know.
Deb
Deb....yes, they are still looking. Ideally they would like 70-100 acres, able to raise some cattle and make some hay. They like the area around Waco but have looked in a lot of places so far so they are flexible. Mom needs to be decently close to a hospital so she can work.
Mary Lee.....that is true. When my parents sold the place I grew up at (a while ago now), I was very sad. All my childhood memories were there. Last year the people who bought the place burned down our old house. I hate driving past there now. But I still have it in my memory. Mom will feel sad too I am sure but also is looking forward to changes. Her mother is getting worse and that is making it hard right now. She has dementia, and my grandfather refuses to allow my mom to do anything for her. He doesn't want to recognize there is a problem. It is frustrating. Mom offered for them to come down here as well, but grandpa says he's staying put. I have a feeling that will change after a few months when they are gone, but only time will tell. And yes, it does look cold! Lol....it has been warm there lately but they can still have snow and cold temps until the middle of May usually. Another reason they are looking forward to moving!
:) Kim
Oh Kim. I'm sorry. That would be very sad. I have not been back to my old neighborhood since Dad sold the house. The whole area has changed dramatically because very wealthy people are buying up the land and tearing down the houses. Most of the houses were built right after WW2 and not built to last a long time anyway, but they are building huge houses there now that barely fit on the lots. We had a very large lot and my cousin told me it's all house now. Almost no grass. No place for kids to play hide and go seek.:(
Occasionally I see kids outside playing. Mostly they are on cell phones or just hanging out. Young ones don't know about hide 'n seek or jacks or hop scotch. That's the reason they are obese. Kids just don't play any more and grass or gardens around the house aren't for kids. They are just for looks.
Ann
This message was edited Mar 31, 2007 2:11 PM
That's pretty much true Ann. It's sad. We used to run and play hide and go seek and tag till 10 pm in the summer. Then go inside and take a bath and crash.
Aw Kim,
I can relate ...DH's Mom and Aunt co-own 60 acres in Villiage Mills, TX.. The house on it was built by their parents. It was a nice big ranch house. We offered to go down and live there with our little family, but there was/is too much politics between the sisters, and DHs Mom thought we shouldn't to avoid all the grief... A few years later we found that kids, etc, mischieviously wondering around on the property had burned ot to the ground.. It still makes me cringe.
I would love to see your Mom & Dad find the amount of land they want for their money here in Texas, but I am afraid it could be a hard stretch. Land is skyrocketing in price here. Half that much *good grazing* land would be a bargain for 300K from what I am finding out. Running a smaller operation might be something to consider. They don't want to get taken with land on the 100 year flood plains, etc. ~Rather go for a more excellent quality .. It would be a lot easier to manage too.
From talking to Jana, who has property in Corsicana, most land sellers are trying to get top dollar for commercial development, and huge homes on one acre lots, etc. Their prices are way up to 1-2M for the size and quality your M&D are looking for.
Deb
Yea...they are finding that a lot of what they would like is too expensive. However, they have at least two properties they like in their price range. Dad is accepting that they may have to go with a smaller place as well. He likes to have land to do things with, but I am sure he will realize as he gets older the advantages of a smaller place. I just hope they like what they end up with.
:) Kim
Meanwhile,
I can offer some space in my heart for a fervent prayer until they find something they love.. and keeping my eyes peeled too..
:-) Deb
The cows think Brenham is Heaven! and so do I!
Deb is right about prices going up and up. Nine years ago we bought our 180 acres at $1350 an acre. The land was part of a larger parcel. Now the owners of the last 53 acres want $7600 an acre. There are still bargains around, but I think that they need to look around the smaller towns for them. We needed to stay close to Austin where my husband works. Sixty miles was still within commuting distance.
Kim, you mentioned that your Mom works in a hospital. There are two brand new hospitals within a 20 mile radius of us. Your Mom sent me a very nice D-mail recently. She indicated that they like the Waco area. Have they ventured farther south? Perhaps if they visited some of the smaller town near Waco, they might be able to find what they are looking for. My husband trolled the internet for months before we happened across this piece of property. That's also how we encountered a realty company that specializes in ranch and farm land.
jammin, we started out looking around the Brenham area, but soon realized that Houston money had made its way to Brenham. It's also made its way into the eastern part of Fayette County. The price of land around Round Top has gone through the roof, but it's still reasonable around here.
Bettydee, I know what you mean about Houston money....I was born and raised in Bellville, and spent the last 27 years in Brenham. I feel like a stranger in my own town. I wish someone would close the gate at the Brazos river! We took a drive to the Schulenberg area to see a "painted church", My husband made the remark that "as soon as the yuppies find this place........" Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone!
May I suggest some where to the south west of Cleburne in Johnson county the taxes are cheap here and there is a lot of good grazing land. Cleburne is the county seat.
Don