Thornton Ranch Sales

Thornton Ranch Sales
Leonard F. (LEN) Thornton
Broker, REALTOR®
1501 Isaac Creek Circle
New Braunfels, TX 78132
Phone: (210) 656-1955
Fax: (800) 371-8486
http://www.thorntonranchsales.com
Email - len@thorntonranchsales.com

ALL PURPOSE HILL COUNTRY RANCH

(Lakes, Game, Pecan Orchard, Historic House, Near San Antonio)
500 ACRES
MEDINA COUNTY, TEXAS

LOCATION: Located near the old Alsatian/German settlement of Quihi; or 10 miles northeast of Hondo, which is the County Seat; or 10 miles northwest of Castroville; or 33 miles west of San Antonio; or 96 miles southwest of Austin; or 220 miles west of Houston; or 265 miles southwest of Dallas. All distances are measured straight-line "as the crow flies".

BACKGROUND: This property was first settled in the 1840s. It was continuously occupied by members of the Schuele and Saathoff families until its purchase by a San Antonio businessman and his wife in 1979. The present owners objectives were to create an attractive weekend retreat to include hunting, fishing, recreation, pecan orchards, hay fields, cattle, horses and natural areas. Another high priority objective was to renovate and restore a charming 1850s era native limestone rock house. Their objectives have been admirably accomplished.

METHOD OF SALE: The Owners have given Thornton Ranch Sales exclusive written authorization to market this ranch. The Owners will provide a current survey and convey the property by General Warranty Deed.

DESCRIPTION: This historic Hill Country ranch has a multitude of unique desirable characteristics that will appeal to a wide range of prospective buyers. First and foremost is the fact that all the high cost basic improvements have been completed, i.e., the house has been restored and certified as a Texas Historic Landmark with appropriate Medallion and Plate prominently displayed at the site. A 3,200 sq. ft. metal barn/shed was built for hay/equipment storage and shop use. An Edwards aquifer water well was drilled, completed and equipped with a pump and underground water lines. This well provides an abundance of high quality water for both domestic and irrigation use. Timely application was made to the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) for allocation of 286.22 acre feet of water per year for irrigation of 143.11 acres of pecan orchard and klein grass fields. A fourteen year old pecan orchard has been established with approximately 1750 trees on 55 acres. Said orchard was expertly created in accordance with specifications recommended by Texas A & M horticulturists. The trees are planted on 35 foot box spacing and each tree is watered by a micro-sprinkler device supplied by underground irrigation lines. About half the trees are composed of productive Cheyenne and Wichita varieties. The other half of the orchard, which was comprised of Choctaw, Kiowa and Mohawk varieties, is in process of being converted to a productive pecan variety known as Desirable via budding and grafting. Two irrigated klein grass fields totaling 88 acres have been established and are in full production. The balance of the ranch is pasture land with native grasses and an abundance of live oak, mesquite, persimmon, hackberry trees and brush cover which provides outstanding habitat for deer, turkey, quail and miscellaneous wildlife. There are three earthen lakes that provide permanent livestock water, outstanding fishing and unbelievably good dove hunting. The ranch is fenced and cross-fenced with low non deer-proof fences with exception of the 55 acre pecan grove which is high fenced. Topography varies from gently rolling to steeply rolling. There is a good system of internal ranch roads and all parts of the property are easily accessible in a two wheel drive vehicle. Ranch access is via .25 mile of county public road frontage on the north side and .15 mile of county road frontage on the east boundary line. Privacy is assured as there are no road easements through the property to serve other land owners and the ranch is surrounded by equal or larger size ranches on all sides. A final significant highly desirable characteristic is that this ranch is located in a beautiful unspoiled area only 33 miles west of downtown San Antonio.

WILDLIFE, HUNTING, FISHING, RECREATION, ENTERTAINING: This ranch has an excellent wildlife population comprised of whitetail deer, hogs, turkey, quail, dove, and miscellaneous birds, coons, rabbits, squirrels, foxes, armadillos, varmints and small wildlife. Whether you are a bow hunter, deer hunter, bird hunter, turkey hunter, photographer, birdwatcher, outdoorsman, or observer of nature, the wildlife on this ranch will keep you challenged and entertained. Also, activities such as hiking, searching for Indian artifacts, exploring, camping, nature walks, nature studies, or simply communing with Mother Nature are there for the taking in a most peaceful and tranquil setting. For those who find recreation and relaxation in growing things, you can try your hand a pecans, hay or cattle in the orchard, fields and pastures. Or if you are searching for the utopian place to entertain friends in a natural Hill Country setting, what better place is there than a beautifully restored 1850 model rock house surrounded by a manicured carpet grass lawn, majestic oak trees, gigantic knurled mesquite trees, productive pecan grove and natural pastures full of wildlife. You will be infatuated by this one of a kind get-a-way retreat!!!!

MINERALS: The Owner owns 100% of all minerals and executive rights. All minerals and executive leasing rights owned will be conveyed to the Buyer. The minerals are now open (not leased) and will be conveyed to the buyer in an open status.

IMPROVEMENTS: The improvements are as discussed above and itemized below. The estimated new replacement cost of all the improvements is $514,300.00 or the equivalent of $1,028.60 per acre.

ITEM	ESTIMATED NEW REPLACEMENT COST**
Rock House (5 rooms, 1 bath, 1,500 sq. ft.*)	$100,000.00

Barn/Equipment shed (3,200 sq. ft.*)	$25,6000.00

Irrigation Well (1,473 ft. deep, 40 h.p. pump)	$40,000.00

Underground pipeline for irrigation system	$10,000.00

Three concrete water storage reservoirs	$9,000.00

Fence, deer proof (1.5 miles @ $12,000 per mile)	$18,000.00

Fence, low fence (7 miles @ $6,600 per mile)	$46,200.00

1,750 pecan trees on 55 acres @ $4,500 per	$247,500.00

Three earthen lakes	$18,000
	**$514,300.00

** The contribution to value of the estimated new replacement cost of the improvements on a per acre basis would be $1,028.99 calculated as follows:

TAXES: Total annual ad valorem taxes for calendar year 1997 were $1,992.14. Said taxes are based on current agricultural use status. The property will be conveyed to the buyer with the agricultural use designation in effect.

POSSESSION: Possession shall be given on the date of closing and funding subject to the following:

* The price shall be adjusted based on the actual number of surveyed acres that will be conveyed by a General Warranty Deed multiplied by the price per acre agreed upon by Seller and Buyer. The price shall include any crops/pecans growing and not yet harvested on the date of closing. The price shall not include any furnishings, personal property, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, vehicles, feed or livestock. However, some or all of said items may be offered for sale at a price to be negotiated.

BROKER COMMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: This ranch is ready to occupy, operate and enjoy. It would take many thousands of dollars and years of very hard work, blood, sweat, energy, patience, expertise, luck and hands on management to attain the present level of condition of this ranch if you were to start with a typical unimproved parcel of land. The above average quality of the land, abundant potable irrigation/domestic water, easy access, excellent improvements, control of all minerals, established pecan grove, excellent hay fields, good pastures, superb wildlife population and reasonable offering price make the fine ranch a buying opportunity.

SHOWING COORDINATION: This ranch is available for inspection seven days a week by prior appointment only. CALL: Len Thornton (210) 656-1955 at any time for showing coordination, service and support. Or you may contact me via E-Mail at: len@thorntonranchsales.com

NOTE: This offering is made subject to prior sale, change of price, or withdrawal from the market at any time. The information contained herein is from sources deemed reliable but is not warranted or guaranteed by Thornton Ranch Sales.