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dwwhite · January 27, 2010, 11:46 AM

I think Art has made the best suggestion so far, come down for a while and talk to some realtors, ranchers, hunters etc.

I think that you will find that once you get west of US 277, (Del Rio to Abilene rt. mentioned by Art) it gets really dry really quickly. Land prices are less, ranging from $1500/acre down to almost nothing, depending on improvements. Prices also vary wildly depending on the conveyence of mineral rights. In Texas, an individual can own both surface and subsurface minerals, though this person may not be the owner of the land.

Keep in mind as well the size of a place like that. 1000 acres is roughly 1.5 square miles. If it doesn't have existing roads, you'll need to build them, and don't plan on just driving across the pastures down here, you'll eat tires like candy. Likewise, you may need fences, pens etc. if you plan on maintaining any livestock for the tax exempt status. Digging post holes in solid rock is expensive work, and a perimeter fence on 1000 acres can easily exceed 6 miles. And don't forget water. I was recently quoted $10,000 for a cased water well, estimated 500' deep. This did not include a pumping string or bringing electricity to the location, nor did it guarantee that I'd hit water, or that if I did, that it would be usable. (note that that price was on the high side, but a dry hole isn't much cheaper) There are many areas that do not even have recoverable ground water. If they do, you may be limited to only a few hundred gallons a day, if that.

Also keep in mind Art's warning about land closer to the border. Illegal immigration and drug trafficking are facts of life down there. And don't plan on playing vigilante, even on your own property. The legal ramifications alone will scare you to death, not to mention the fact that help is often not just a phone call away, more like a phone call (if you have service) and and hour or two away, at best.

However, keep in mind too that if you make it down here, you'll find some of the prettiest, and frendliest country around.

PM me if you are interested in some names of real estate agents in the area. I'm not as quite as far west as Art is, but I can put you in touch with folks who will know of places for sale all over.

January 27, 2010, 11:46 AM	#16
dwwhite Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Southwest Tx Posts: 187	I think Art has made the best suggestion so far, come down for a while and talk to some realtors, ranchers, hunters etc. I think that you will find that once you get west of US 277, (Del Rio to Abilene rt. mentioned by Art) it gets really dry really quickly. Land prices are less, ranging from $1500/acre down to almost nothing, depending on improvements. Prices also vary wildly depending on the conveyence of mineral rights. In Texas, an individual can own both surface and subsurface minerals, though this person may not be the owner of the land. Keep in mind as well the size of a place like that. 1000 acres is roughly 1.5 square miles. If it doesn't have existing roads, you'll need to build them, and don't plan on just driving across the pastures down here, you'll eat tires like candy. Likewise, you may need fences, pens etc. if you plan on maintaining any livestock for the tax exempt status. Digging post holes in solid rock is expensive work, and a perimeter fence on 1000 acres can easily exceed 6 miles. And don't forget water. I was recently quoted $10,000 for a cased water well, estimated 500' deep. This did not include a pumping string or bringing electricity to the location, nor did it guarantee that I'd hit water, or that if I did, that it would be usable. (note that that price was on the high side, but a dry hole isn't much cheaper) There are many areas that do not even have recoverable ground water. If they do, you may be limited to only a few hundred gallons a day, if that. Also keep in mind Art's warning about land closer to the border. Illegal immigration and drug trafficking are facts of life down there. And don't plan on playing vigilante, even on your own property. The legal ramifications alone will scare you to death, not to mention the fact that help is often not just a phone call away, more like a phone call (if you have service) and and hour or two away, at best. However, keep in mind too that if you make it down here, you'll find some of the prettiest, and frendliest country around. PM me if you are interested in some names of real estate agents in the area. I'm not as quite as far west as Art is, but I can put you in touch with folks who will know of places for sale all over.