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Extraordinary self-sustaining Hill Country ranch hits the market for $8.75 million

A glorious and spacious Hill Country ranch fully equipped for off-the-grid living has landed on the market with a grand $8.75 million price tag.

The Lonesome Valley Ranch, located at 1430 Gibson-Best Rd. in Hye, sits behind a gated entrance on a short road for ultimate privacy. Past the gate is 260-plus acres of land, a one-acre pond, and four fully-furnished buildings ready to accommodate large gatherings or events.

The single-story main residence has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, while the two-story "barndominium" serves as a three-bedroom, three-bathroom bunkhouse and saloon. The bunkroom includes 10 bunk beds, so it's perfect for large groups. Both homes have wrap-around porches, extensive outdoor living spaces, and 360 degrees of Hill Country views.

Overlooking the pond is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin with a connected 40-foot pier for guests to try their hand at fishing or take a dip in the water. Also within the pond is an anchored dock and a fountain.

The fourth building on the ranch, hidden among the woods, is an equipment barn and workshop with a loft, apartment, and caretaker's residence.

The ranch is fully capable of operating off-the-grid thanks to an extensive solar system, several backup generators, a deep water well, a supplementary 100,000 gallons of rainwater collection, a propane capacity of 4,000 gallons, and much more.

Lonesome Valley Ranch is truly an entertainer's paradise. With the benefit of having no restrictions, the next owners could choose to Airbnb the bunkhouse, host special events or corporate retreats, and more. According to the listing, the property could generate $200,000 to $300,000 yearly for the next owners, while still operating as a family compound.

Photo courtesy of DMTX Realty Group

The ranch is truly an entertainer's paradise.

Thanks to the seller's intentional preservation of the heavily-wooded areas of the property, there is an abundance of wildlife suitable for hunting. Other outdoor amenities provided include an NBA-sized basketball court, a tennis court, and a pickleball court.

The property is also neighbored by the award-winning William Chris Vineyards and Garrison Brother's Distillery. The ranch is an easy 20 minute drive from Fredericksburg, and less than four hours from Houston (about 230 miles).

David Murray from DMTX Realty Group holds the listing. More information about the ranch can be found on dmtx.com.

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This affluent Houston enclave is the richest small town in Texas

Facebook / City of Bellaire, Texas

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Affluent Houston neighbor Bellaire is cashing in as the richest small town in Texas for 2025, according to new study from GoBankingRates.

The report, "The Richest Small Town in Every State," used data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey to determine the 50 richest small towns in America based on their median household income.

Of course, Houstonians realize that describing Bellaire as a "small town" is a bit of misnomer. Located less than 10 miles from downtown and fully surrounded by the City of Houston, Bellaire is a wealthy enclave that boasts a population of just over 17,000 residents. These affluent citizens earn a median $236,311 in income every year, which GoBankingRates says is the 11th highest household median income out of all 50 cities included in the report.

The average home in this city is worth over $1.12 million, but Bellaire's lavish residential reputation often attracts properties with multi-million-dollar price tags.

Bellaire also earned a shining 81 livability score for its top quality schools, health and safety, commute times, and more. The livability index, provided by Toronto, Canada-based data analytics and real estate platform AreaVibes, said Bellaire has "an abundance of exceptional local amenities."

"Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks," AreaVibes said. "These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that [residents'] daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation."

Many popular Houston restaurants are setting their sights on this wealthy enclave. Detroit-style pizzamakers Gold Tooth Tony’s opened its second pizza joint in Bellaire in 2024. And most recently, Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant Candente announced it would open a second location just down the street from Gold Tooth Tony's at 5101 Bellaire Blvd.

Earlier in 2025, GoBankingRates ranked Bellaire as the No. 23 wealthiest suburb in America, and it's no stranger to being named on similar lists comparing the richest American cities.

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