Mason, TX 76856(Mason County)

This is about 50 miles from dazzling Fredericksburg (world class shopping, restaurants, hospital, jet airstrip, box stores), 30 miles from Brady (Walmart), and a little over 100 miles to both Austin and San Antonio (international airports, universities, medical centers). The area is dominated by larger working/recreational ranches, and agriculture and hunting are the economic drivers. Mason, in particular, is an especially fine, small community, loaded with interesting, talented folks not afraid to put in a long days work.

WATER: The ranch is crossed by spring-fed Honey Creek for over 2.5 miles, and there are several other source springs on site, including a 75 GPM honker that qualifies as a big un in anybodys record books. This spring flowed throughout the Great Drought, and fills an unbelievable 5 acre lake nestled in a canyon, backed by 100 limestone/ironstone cliffs. This lake is full of game fish, and has recently been cleaned out to 13 depth in much of its body. The setting is mega-awesome, the fishing, swimming and floating are top shelf, and the privacy is slam-dunk absolute.

There are several, smaller spring-fed lakes in sweet settings, as well as another larger spring-fed lake that covers up to 7 acres when full. A large stock pond to the north has been deepened, and is augmented by a solar water well. Many of these water features include natural lily pads, bullfrogs and rushes, and are simply a joy to behold!

A total of 13 known water wells service the ranch, including two irrigation wells that produce 250 gpm (not in service) and 500 gpm (in service). This is a well-watered ranch, with an additional 2 wells shared with neighbors. Irrigation water is available in the north portion of the ranch at about 300 feet, and it gets much more scarce as one moves to the south portion, where only livestock/wildlife water is available. There is a 50 gpm domestic well at the HQs (per owner). For further information on area groundwater, please check with the Hickory Underground Water Conservation District.

IMPROVEMENTS: CLR is highly improved, and improvements are ongoing during the marketing period. The centerpiece is a mind-boggling, new timber/stone Hill Country home of about 5,500 sf, reflecting the style of the region, and the heritage of the settlers of the State of Texas. This fine home contains more one-of-a-kind features than can be mentioned here, inquire for additional details. Many hanging fixtures and some drapes will be removed prior to closing of sale, list to be provided. The master bathroom is truly way-cool! This residential complex also includes a designer ranch garage which features nice guest quarters above, as well as a similarly-appointed bunkhouse unattached just to the N of the complex. The landscaping of this area is primo, and the overall appearance is majestic and massive, yet warm, friendly and livable. Huge pecan and oak trees cloak the dwelling nicely, and long porches and a rear firepit provide additional locations for enjoyment.

Other improvements include a nice, 3,500 sf guest house with garages and backup generator, a bunkhouse for seasonal workers, vintage barn at HQs containing deer cleaning area and cold storage, and an interesting hideout cabin built into a cliff over Honey Creek. A newly constructed livestock barn includes shaded/lit working pens, horse stalls, office, hay loft and tack/feed room. Adjacent to this structure is a large, imported sand riding arena 150 x 265, and nearby is a nice 6 bay implement shed with enclosed shop and garage, all of this being in excellent condition, and plumbed and electrified.

A high fence has been completed to enclose much of 2,600 acres, and other fences are mostly good to new, with cross fencing into several large pastures. A road infrastructure is in place that rivals anything weve seen, including 22 miles of improved gravel roads that allow easy access to all sections of the ranch, and several concrete low water crossings. Also present is a center pivot irrigation sprayer that covers 25 acres.

Further assets include an apple orchard, additional riding arena at HQs, overhead bulk feed storage, 15 protein feeders, 18 corn feeders and 8 gun blinds. About 140 acres has been sprigged in coastal Bermuda grass, and much of the ranch has been manicured along the roadways.

LAND: This ranch has been assembled in a series of purchases by popular MLB All-Star Lance Berkman over the past few years, and not a penny has been spared in the immaculate improvements and maintenance that have occurred during the Berkman familys ownership tenure, under the careful direction of manager Patrick Row. This is gently rolling, loamy productive soil in the northern portion, which changes to more typical Mason Hill Country with rock outcrops to the south. The variety is the key here, and the entire ranch has a light to medium cover of healthy live oak trees, coupled with shrubs typical of the area (persimmon, agarita, bee brush, prickly pear), and minimal cedar. There are about 140 acres of improved coastal Bermuda hay meadows in the northern portion that have been hand-picked free of rocks. The drainages feature larger trees and some clay soils, and the wet areas showcase some giant liveoak, elm, pecan and walnut trees. Overall, the cover and vegetation are rated as ideal for combo of livestock and wildlife, and also easy on the eyes.

The wildlife is abundant and healthy, with a biologist-counseled TPW MLD Program in place. Whitetail deer up to 150 class are observed, and Rio Grande turkey are abundant in this area. There are enough dove to make an occasional hunt, and feral hogs are sometimes seen on property. Spring, 2012, saw the magical return of a few quail to the area, though quantities are not huntable, and in winter one can often observe waterfowl on the lakes. Songbirds are abundant in the numerous wooded draws and native grass pastures, and the normal roster of varmints is found as well.

Other outstanding natural attributes and features include a subterranean cave with rooms, nice cliffs in multiple locations, vista points up to 25 miles and multiple minor draws offering good cover and relief. There is over 300 of elevation change on the ranch, though most hills are drivable all over in a 4 wheeler. Secondary homesites are abundant, and the primary cliff lake has no significant structures nearby.

FINANCIAL/TITLE: Listing Price is $4,950 per acre, owner will supply basic title insurance and title company-approved surveys (recent). Mineral ownership is varied, and conveyance is negotiable. There are two small electric transmission lines crossing unobtrusively, and several electric service lines cross the property as well. There are several shared water wells. No other major appurtenances are known. The ranch is located in the prized Mason ISD, and current ag-exempt taxes are estimated at about $17,000. The property is served by Central Texas Electric Company.

SUMMARY: Cliff Lakes Ranch is the most powerful ranch offering in the area at this time. With a combination of productivity, big and exotic water, improvements, recreation and secluded yet accessible location, CLR rises far above the ordinary, and is literally a paradise all its own. Dont miss this rare opportunity to purchase a heritage-type property already developed. . . and professionally managed (mgr. can stay). We welcome your inquiries, and appreciate your interest.

The information contained herein has been diligently assembled, and is deemed reliable, but is not warranted by Broker or Seller, express or implied, and is subject to change, prior sale, errors and/or omissions and withdrawal from market. Buyers must verify accuracy of representations on their own, as well as investigate potentially pertinent natural attributes, laws and regulations, and draw their own conclusions regarding the usefulness and value of the property for a given purpose. Viewing appointments scheduled with LANDTX. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DO NOT TRESPASS.

Buyers brokers must be identified on first contact, and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allowed full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at sole discretion of LANDTX, David E. Culver, broker.