Call Jim Today: 210-260-4946
Ranch brokers in Texas are required to use contracts formulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission. The Farm and Ranch contract runs to 11 pages and with addendums and exhibits, can grow to 20 pages. Even at that, not every aspect of the land is addressed leaving a lot of questions. And, while calling in […]
Research just out from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M by Dr. Charles Gilliland indicates that the recent buying frenzy is dying down and ranch buyers are becoming more selective. https://mailchi.mp/mays/reporttexas-rural-land-buying-frenzy-wanes What is the take away from this? It means buyers once again have the luxury to be more selective, taking their time to […]
Ranch brokers in Texas are required to use contracts formulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission. The Farm and Ranch contract runs to 11 pages and with addendums and exhibits, can grow to 20 pages. Even at that, not every aspect of the land is addressed leaving a lot of questions. And, while calling in […]
Hunting is a great way to get young people outside and learn stewardship of Nature.
As the drought continues, coupled with scorching heat, ranch sales continue. The uncertain stock market, record inflation, and the housing boom are all fueling ranch buyers with money to invest. If you are thinking of selling, water seems to be the biggest indicator of a “good” ranch. I recently represented the buyer on a ranch […]
In South Texas, it is important at times to provide supplemental water for wildlife.
NEWS RELEASE FROM THE REAL ESTATE CENTER AT TEXAS A&M A year in which Texas rural land sales reached unprecedented highs ended with a surprising slowdown. Total land sales for 2021 surpassed 2020 by 17.8 percent. That was despite a fourth quarter with 953 fewer sales than the same period of 2020. “There were 9,055 […]
This tract lies SE of Anywhere and has a history of intensive cattle stocking. The previous owner ran a cell system on this place and much of it had been cleared and planted to Kleingrass. Remnant clumps of Kleingrass can still be seen and they provide excellent nesting cover. There are is one high-fenced […]
The next few days will be miserable outside, so what better time to sit by the fire with a good book? Finding, Buying and Developing a Ranch in South Texas is a quick read in two parts. Part 1 covers looking for a ranch, assessing it, and the buying process. Where do I want to […]
2021 ended with the closing on the last tract of Rocky Ranches, a six-tract accumulation put together over the years by J.D. and Carol Williams. J.D. was a D.C tax lawyer and lobbyist originally from Oklahoma that fell in love with the red sandy country around Pearsall. While J.D. wouldn’t kill a deer to save […]
The nine day overlap of dove and quail season in the South Zone is heaven for bird hunters.
RUBY IS READY TO START THE HOLIDAYS WITH A LONG HUNT THRU THE GREAT OUTDOORS. HOPE YOU ALL ARE WELL AND HAVE FRIENDS AND FOOD TO BE THANKFUL FOR, JIM
On opening day of the South Zone dove season, I have to look back at one of my best dogs and share again the tale of her last outing.
I reported in an earlier post that the recent rains, following a significant drought, had resulted in abundant Three-seed croton in South Texas. A little further to the north at the Rockpile, the drought was of course followed initially by a severe freeze/snow event lasting several days then a cumulative rain of some 14 inches! […]
It’s that time of year again; time when does leave their fawns for a nap, sometimes in odd places. And either I’m getting better at spotting them, or there are more fawns this year. Two new ones on my morning walk today at Regional Park here in Castroville. So, leave mowing that vacant field for […]
Quail are in trouble in South-Central Texas and it can be frustrating to be a quail hunter in a poor year. Perhaps the biggest reason for the decline in quail numbers is the fragmentation of the habitat across the state combined Sorry, but not everyone can be an heir to a big ranch and, […]
I am getting reports that pairs of Bobwhites are showing up all over South Texas so with eternal optimism, I pray for a great hatch. Last season was very bad over most of Texas, even in areas where the birds normally do well. As usual, I get reports of pairs where people say there simply […]
Built out of left-over PVC pieces and hardware cloth, this raised feeder with a store-bought feed bin finally saw some action. Known as Black-bellied tree ducks or Mexican whistling ducks, these birds nest in tree crags. Beautiful if somewhat subdued plumage, they actually sound as if they are whistling when in flight. More info below. […]
I like to give clients a lock when they close on their new ranch. There is just something rewarding about putting a lock on your gate to your ranch. Sometimes it takes a lot of study, work, and creative financing to buy a ranch, but once done, the rewards are great, starting with locking the […]
In times of social and economic uncertainty, land, raw or improved, is a great comfort. Two hundred acres or twenty thousand, land in Texas is valuable and getting more so daily. Drop me a line and we can start the search for your getaway in South Texas or the Hill Country.
On a recent consulting job, the continuing drought in South Texas was brought home to me. As I was in eastern Frio Co., about 12 miles E-SE of Pearsall, it was not as bad as last weeks visit to Artesia Wells, but still sobering. This particular ranch is mostly a deep sand and as such, […]
Brokers/agencies that advertise ranches represent the SELLER, not you. I can represent YOU at no cost, giving you the edge when looking, negotiating, and buying your ranch. Ranches are complex, made up of location, soils, vegetation, weather, history, improvements, minerals, and price. Everybody should have experienced advice when comparing ranches. With 35 years as a […]
Bobwhite quail management requires attention to the weather and the calendar.
Readers of my blog will remember that I addressed Covid and it’s potential effect on ranch prices at the onset of the pandemic. I postulated that the crisis would have a similar effect as that of the 2008 financial crisis and it appears I was correct, so far. In a recent presentation, Dr. Charles Gilliland […]
I have two Labrador retrievers and I love to hunt birds. Zucker, (German for “sugar”), is 13 and ‘Becca is 5. I like to stagger my dogs as I’ve found having a young pup keeps an older dog frisky longer while the presence of a mature dog helps calm a young one. Zucker is pretty […]
Buying a ranch is often the greatest investment a buyer will make in his or her lifetime and should not be undertaken lightly. Admittedly, while ranches are simply toys for some people, land ownership and the transfer of ownership is serious business. Unlike a car, you cannot just “take it back” if you find something […]
Almost 70 years (in July) and I am still amazed by the resiliency of South Texas flora. As you can see below, Texas, and Medina Co. just west of San Antonio, where the Rockpile Ranch is located, is in a severe drought. Bluebonnets came up in profusion, but about half flowered weakly then went to […]
As a young boy I loved the outdoors and was blessed with “woods” just outside the back door. Perhaps a thousand acres of floodplain, the land could not be developed and thus was an island in the midst of San Antonio growth to the north. I walked every acre, fought off Indians and bad guys, […]
Quail are in trouble in South-Central Texas and it can be frustrating to be a quail hunter in a poor year. Perhaps the biggest reason for the decline in quail numbers is the fragmentation of the habitat across the state combined Sorry, but not everyone can be an heir to a big ranch and, […]
Buying a ranch is often the greatest investment a buyer will make in his or her lifetime and should not be undertaken lightly. Admittedly, while ranches are simply toys for some people, land ownership and the transfer of ownership is serious business. Unlike a car, you cannot just “take it back” if you find something […]
I specialize in representing either Buyers or Sellers in ranch acquisition throughout Central and South Texas. As a Certified Wildlife Biologist, I have assisted landowners across Texas with wildlife management plans and implementation, both short term projects and on a continual basis.
With years of expertise in all facets of ranch development and management, I will find your dream ranch, or ensure a smooth sale, and provide solid development plans. Whether it is a hunting ranch or working ranch, we offer a full range of wildlife consulting/management services after the deal is done.
