How to find a nice property/areas to look into

[RockyMountainHighHorn 896]

A friend of mine is looking for a piece of land in Texas. He has scoured Zillow, not sure about any others but I’m sure the basic (really basic) google searches have been done. Does anyone know of any other good places to search for houses/properties with some land? Obviously trying to avoid a realtor but might have to. Thought I’d try surly first, maybe someone knows someone selling right now. Here’s some things he is looking for:

in Texas
5+ acres
1 acre pond or larger
Home: 3 or more bedrooms, 2 baths, more space better
Newerish home
Barn
Corral 
Out buildings
Agra approved 
Will go to 1M$ if necessary 
Location has one son in Dallas, one daughter in Houston somewhere in 

Edited September 30, 2022 by RockyMountainHighHorn

[Catpfish 618]

18 minutes ago, RockyMountainHighHorn said:

A friend of mine is looking for a piece of land in Texas. He has scoured Zillow, not sure about any others but I’m sure the basic (really basic) google searches have been done. Does anyone know of any other good places to search for houses/properties with some land? Obviously trying to avoid a realtor but might have to. Thought I’d try surly first, maybe someone knows someone selling right now. Here’s some things he is looking for:

in Texas
5+ acres
1 acre pond or larger
Home: 3 or more bedrooms, 2 baths, more space better
Newerish home
Barn
Corral 
Out buildings
Agra approved 
Will go to 1M$ if necessary 
Location has one son in Dallas, one daughter in Houston somewhere in 

I'm assuming that agra approved means ag exemption?  If so, you really aren't going to find one that small.  It was common for it to require at least 10 acres but with property shortfalls, appraisal districts are trying to get rid of "gentlemen farms" and the required acreage is trending up.  The other issue is that they won't guarantee that an ag exemption will carryover from seller to buyer without reviewing things.

 

 

Just now, Catpfish said:

I'm assuming that agra approved means ag exemption?  If so, you really aren't going to find one that small.  It was common for it to require at least 10 acres but with property tax shortfalls, appraisal districts are trying to get rid of "gentlemen farms" and the required acreage is trending up.  The other issue is that they won't guarantee that an ag exemption will carryover from seller to buyer without reviewing things.

 

 

 

[Catpfish 618]

No clue what happened with that edit, but I added "tax" to the property shortfall so that it'll make more sense.

[Catpfish 618]

Sorry for repeated posting, but when you say corral, are you talking about keeping horses?  Very seldomly will horses be allowed as an ag exemption qualifying animal.  They are considered a hobby.

[tx 3 putt 77553]

what areas is he looking at ?

Texas is a big state

Edited September 30, 2022 by tx 3 putt

[RockyMountainHighHorn 896]

54 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

what areas is he looking at ?

Texas is a big state

Anywhere around Dallas/Waco/Houston. I know those are still large areas but has family in dfw and Houston so anywhere around those or in between 

[RockyMountainHighHorn 896]

1 hour ago, Catpfish said:

Sorry for repeated posting, but when you say corral, are you talking about keeping horses?  Very seldomly will horses be allowed as an ag exemption qualifying animal.  They are considered a hobby.

I appreciate it. I’ll have to get an answer on that and let you know. Not 100% sure, I know he doesn’t currently have livestock/horses

Edited September 30, 2022 by RockyMountainHighHorn

[RockyMountainHighHorn 896]

He said “I will run a few cows to qualify for the ag exemption” after asking him further “I will have what I need to have to qualify for that” so we will just leave it at that I guess lol 

[Bevo&Pevo 5222]

Don't forget to check into the high-speed rail route and eminent domain.  

Hadn't said ou sucks all week, now I feel better.  

[UTPhil2006 3818]

I’ll keep an eye out and ear to the ground for you. 

[Dbeasy 15103]

Given your wide potential search area, it’s a good idea to not use a realtor right now because no one knows that entire large swath of counties. Plus, even if they did it’s unlikely they have mls access for all of those areas. 
 

[fattyflattie 4638]

9 hours ago, RockyMountainHighHorn said:

A friend of mine is looking for a piece of land in Texas. He has scoured Zillow, not sure about any others but I’m sure the basic (really basic) google searches have been done. Does anyone know of any other good places to search for houses/properties with some land? Obviously trying to avoid a realtor but might have to. Thought I’d try surly first, maybe someone knows someone selling right now. Here’s some things he is looking for:

in Texas
5+ acres
1 acre pond or larger
Home: 3 or more bedrooms, 2 baths, more space better
Newerish home
Barn
Corral 
Out buildings
Agra approved 
Will go to 1M$ if necessary 
Location has one son in Dallas, one daughter in Houston somewhere in 

Landsoftexas.com 

Get him a county map and it’s all easily searchable   

 

Edited September 30, 2022 by fattyflattie

[Knoxtnhorn 6066]

 

13 hours ago, RockyMountainHighHorn said:

Corral 

 

 

On a serious note, @fattyflattie us correct.  This is the site I've frequented.

 

 

[fattyflattie 4638]

7 minutes ago, Knoxtnhorn said:

 

 

 

On a serious note, @fattyflattie us correct.  This is the site I've frequented.

 

 

At any given time, I know where my first 15m is going should the stars ever align. Site is soul crushing. 

[RockyMountainHighHorn 896]

Nm corral

Edited October 1, 2022 by RockyMountainHighHorn

[Bevo 13601]

Roundtop area might be a good distance from Houston and Dallas. So I would think Giddings, Roundtop, Brenham to the South up to Cameron to the North.

[Hornbeliever 716]

I used landsoftexas as well.  Put an automated search and would get emails that fit my parameters about once a week.  Took me two years and two offers but finally found something.

 I only wanted something near 71 or near Round Top but finding 1 acre ponds is tough unless your land is much larger than 5 acres.  But $1 million can get you some good stuff.  I'm sure off 45 between Houston and Dallas will give you more than off 71 where I was looking so maybe that is best approach.