County Road 446 , Navasota, TX 77868(Grimes County)

The four-bar pipe fences that are prominent throughout the ranch create the impression of solidity, while allowing you to view the manicured, improved pastures with their productive mix of Bahiagrass and Coastal Bermuda. Majestic trees including oaks, pecan, ash, elm and pine dot the landscape. The current owners have planted at least 50 live oaks, including two that are grafts from Texas A&Ms beloved Century Oak. About 30 percent of the ranch is wooded creating a wildlife oasis that provides habitat for white-tailed deer, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, rabbits and other native small game. Cut trails meander through the woods prompting exploration on foot, horseback, mountain bikes or ATVs. Dove are plentiful. Feral hogs are also abundant in the area, so the ranchs inner fences are StayTite wire to help protect the pastures and hay meadows from destruction.

Water is plentiful. In fact, every pasture has either a lake, stock tank or water trough to provide for livestock and wildlife. For anglers, the ranch has two show-stopping, spring-fed lakes each 5 acres or larger. The lakes were professionally stocked with Florida bass, crappie and blue gill to create a freshwater anglers paradise. In addition, there are 3 spring-fed stock tanks, several springs, and 3 wells (two working and one capped).

The turnkey ranch was designed to accommodate a purebred cow-calf operation, but the improvements and infrastructure make it ideal for a horse farm or a self-sufficient country getaway with the income generating potential of an annual, high-quality hay crop that ranges between 300 and 400 rolls each year and/or a grazing lease. With average rainfall, the lands carrying capacity is about 200 cows.

A fenced lane transects the property. A gate in each pasture and trap directly connects the grazing lands to the lane, so livestock can be moved to the lighted and covered central working facility with ease. The working facility also includes an air-conditioned lab designed for work such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

Most of the ranch equipment including tractors, a round baler, a square baler, 2 MoCo cutters, a rake and a shredder will transfer with the sale.

The Home

Like the cathedrals of old, the 5,000 square foot house, built from Oklahoma doeskin stone, is a testament to fine craftsmanship. The areas best stoneworkers, granite installers and wood workers labored for individual stints measured in years. Because no detail was overlooked, the homes construction process engaged builders and skilled craftsmen from 2006 to the homes completion in 2010.

The result is magnificent, one-of-a-kind rustic elegance where even the windowsills are granite in the 3-bedroom (plus a flex room and office)/3.5 bathroom house. The abundant granite found on countertops throughout, office desktops, as well as in the walk-in shower and the expansive surround for the 6-foot cast iron tub, and the hand-built, custom wood work featuring light-stained ash including all trim and cabinetry make a strong design statement. The heft of the wood and granite is offset by the natural light, soaring ceilings, open design and neutral color palette, which gives the home a decidedly airy feel. Handcrafted antler chandeliers further illuminate the space. Guests are greeted by a 3-tiered antler chandelier in the entryway and the antler-theme is continued with the chandeliers in the breakfast room, formal living room, and formal dining room. The den, which is also home to an impressive stone fireplace outfitted with a Heatilator, features a double-wagon wheel chandelier.

The all-electric kitchen with its custom cabinetry and large walk-in pantry combines form and function. All appliances are Wolf or Subzero. The house also boasts a large laundry and four high-efficiency Trane heatpumps.

While the home is perfect for entertaining family and friends, the outdoors beckons. The front and back porches that encompass a total of 1,625 square feet of shaded living space, overlook the professionally landscaped grounds, which are kept green by a Hunter irrigation system. Majestic live oaks surround the house.

A 24x40 covered patio provides a natural gathering spot in the backyard just steps from the house. In addition to a wood burning fireplace and 6-foot Bull barbeque pit, the patio includes a granite bar and 9-foot granite-topped table as well a sink, ceiling fans and a hand-crafted cedar ceiling. An attached, oversized 3-car garage, which can easily accommodate 3 Ford F-350 pickups, provides ample cover and storage. It, too, features custom wood work and hand-selected granite.

The Infrastructure

The ranchs infrastructure is as well-built and well-planned as the home. Excluding the covered cattle working facility, there are 7 metal outbuildings including: a hay barn (40x100 foot with a 30 lean-to), a combination equipment/hay barn (150x125 with a 20 unpaved lean-to provide covered storage for heavy equipment), feed room/storage building (25x80), RV storage building (45x50 with water, sewer and electrical hook-ups inside), air-conditioned workshop (22x30), an air-conditioned, insulated flex building (40x25 with a 14 rollup door and 36 walk-in door that can be used as climate-controlled storage, a game room or home to an antique car collection), and a 3-sided storage building (45x50 and attached to the back of the flex building.) All are constructed on concrete pads that are at least 6 inches and reinforced for heavy-duty use. In areas where livestock can damage the metal, the buildings are surrounded by reclaimed highway bridge railing to protect the buildings sides.

The amount of covered space ensures that all hay and ranch equipment can be stored beneath a roof.

The Opportunity

Lucky A Ranch offers the opportunity to immediately embrace ranch living and ranch life. To experience this one-of-a-kind property, contact Howard W. Hood at (830) 739-3815. The Lucky A Ranch is available for $5,995,000.