News from The Western Vault

April 27, 2011

Howdy!

What a whirlwind of a week! We left the office for a roadtrip to San Antonio. We visited with several Western Vault members and attended the 21st Annual Outlook for Texas Land Markets. In the midst of all the fun we had, we got some great information to share regarding the current land market and some beautiful ranch properties. See what the experts have to say!

Stanton Pinckard Realty

Helpful Hints: Selecting & Buying Rural Land

"Now that the hard winter seems to be leaving us and spring is around the corner, everyone will be out looking for property. There is a process that can be recommended to make the process meaningful in accomplishing a successful acquisition.

Looking at listings online is like reading a story book. Generally, the "reality" of the property is not always described. What are your neighbors like? What does the property look at? What is the real condition of the property and amenities? You can cut through all this clutter by selecting a broker that can assist you in collectively defining your needs and requirements. Top notch brokers preview properties for you and can help you break down the process. It is to the buyer's advantage to have someone give you the truth about the listings. A knowledgable broker can:

Narrow down the distance you really want to travel to work or from your home to your weekend property.
Educate you about the real value based on "sales" that have occurred in the past year. This "reality check" will help you set a budget of what you can truly afford. The broker can also help you find a lender, up front, that will assist you.
Assist you in setting up logical drive routes, so the time you have available to look for properties is best utilized.
Help you itemize the top 10 amenities you want in an ideal property. They will also make sure you are visiting properties that truly meet your requirements.
Help you track properties you have seen with photos and notes to assist you when you return home, so you can refresh your memory.
Break down the process until you get to the top 2 or 3 choices. At this time, you both need to be proactive and make the hard decisions.
Make the choice and write a contract. Hesitating will not get you to the closing table, and you may lose the property you have been waiting for.
Break down all the factors related to soil tests, good management issues related to the land, and how to contact the right authorities to assist you.

Sassy Stanton, Stanton Pinckard Realty

If you work with a professional broker, you will ultimately find the right property, and the experience will be enjoyable."

Stanton Pinckard Realty

Houston, Texas

713-861-4097

Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc.

Wildlife or Agricultural Exemption- What's the Scoop?

Deitra Robertson

Deitra Robertson, Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc.

"Well, if you haven't noticed- the counties are poor! Foreclosures and falling home prices have affected the tax base in many Texas counties, and some counties, like where I live, have come back fighting. I have had a 30-acre hay field in production for more years than I have owned my farm. This past year, I was told by my county to produce all records reflecting fertilizing, seeding, hay production, cutting, and Schedule F's from my hay man's tax returns. Oh, and that was after I had to go dig up three different soil samples to have tested with results sent back to my county!

Enter Wildlife Management. I contacted a wildlife biologist and discussed with him segueing my property from its agricultural status to a wildlife management status. I am in the process of making these changes now. I am also having many of my buyer clients put their new land acquisitions into wildlife management when appropriate." Click here to read more of this informative article from Deitra on wildlife and agricutural exemptions.

Click on the photo above to view Deitra's latest e-Journal featuring this beautiful property

Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc. has great wildlife biologists and farm management personnel on their team. Please give them a call for further information on changing your property from agricultural status to wildlife management or for more information regarding this beautiful featured property.

Deitra Robertson Real Estate, Inc.

Hempstead, Texas

979-921-9470

21st Annual Outlook for Texas Land Markets

Helping Texans Make Better Real Estate Decisions

"Texas cropland may be in high demand, but that doesn't mean it's easy to come by right now. 'No one wants to sell,' said Real Estate Center Research Economist Dr. Charles Gilliland, speaking at the Center's Outlook for Texas Land Markets conference last week. 'At $2 cotton, who would?'

Gilliland said cotton prices hit a 140-year high earlier this year. Prices for crops such as soybeans and corn are rising as well, driven by biofuel use and growing consumer demand.

The few properties that do go up for sale find plenty of potential buyers, pushing prices higher, reports the San Antonio Express-News. 'People have never paid this much for the income stream they're getting from cropland,' Gilliland said.

Click here to read the entire update from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.

Mandy Wooten, of The Western Vault, & Bill Pinckard, of Stanton Pinckard Realty, at the 21st Annual Outlook for Texas Land Markets

Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

College Station, Texas

979-845-0460

Texas Music Chart

Your Guide to Texas and Red Dirt Music

There's a new number one on the Texas Music Chart this week. Rich O'Toole scores his first ever #1 on the Chart with "The Cricket Song." The single was played on Texas radio an impressive 167 more times last week than the previous week. Congrats, Rich!

Rounding out the top 5 is the Eli Young Band with "Crazy Girl," Brandon Rhyder with "Lord, I Hope This Day is Good," Reckless Kelly and "I Hold the Bottle, You Hold the Wheel," and Deryl Dodd with "You're Not Lookin' For."

The new guns on the Chart this week are Jon Wolfe with "That Girl in Texas" at #43, the Brian Burke Band with "Dancin' Tune" at #49, and Hudson Moore with "Cloudy Day" at #50. Welcome, boys! Click here to see who else made the chart this week!

Texas Music Chart

Houston, TX

(713) 952-9221

Sales & Events

HAUTE COWGIRL EVENT AT PINTO RANCH DALLAS!

Catch a bit of Spring fever! Visit the Pinto Ranch Dallas location on Saturday, April 30th, for a "haute" fashion day just for the ladies. Enjoy Wine Spritzer, Sweets, and $5 Boot Shines all day from 10 am to 6 pm. The day's events include an OLD GRINGO Boot Trunk Show, COWGIRL JUSTICE Fashion, and VICKI MOSS Jewelry.

Pinto Ranch

Northpark Center, Suite 2184

Dallas, Texas

214-217-6200

2011 CATTLE BARON'S BALL

Join us Saturday night as we support Victory and the American Cancer Society at the 2011 Cattle Baron's Ball. Proceeds from this event benefit the Houston area American Cancer Society by providing money for research, educational services, and patient support programs. Join us for live entertainment from Gene Watson and others, dinner, dancing, games, exciting auctions, pig races, and fabulous prizes.

2011 Cattle Baron's Ball

Saturday, April 30th

7:00 PM- Midnight

George Ranch Historical Park, Richmond Texas

14th ANNUAL COWBOYS FOR KIDS BENEFIT

Also, join us in Johnson County this weekend for the 14th Annual Cowboys for Kids Benefit, supporting the Children's Advocacy Center. The goal is for every person in attendance at any of the events over the weekend to leave with an understanding of the important work that is done on behalf of child victims at the Children's Advocacy Center. We need to enlist people in the fight to keep abuse from ever happening to children in their lives.

Cleburne Ford presents the "Roping the Stars Gala"

Friday, April 29th

Doors Open at 5:30 PM

Dinner Served at 6:00 PM

Coffeen Family Cutting Horse Facility, Egan Texas

Devon Energy presents the Stick Horse Rodeo

Saturday, April 30th

11:00 AM

Johnson County Sheriff's Posse Grounds, Cleburne Texas

Harper Cattle presents the PBR Enterprise Tour

Mustang Foundation presents the Celebrity Team Roping

Saturday, April 30th

Festivities Begin at 7:00 PM

Opening Act at 7:30 PM

Johnson County Sheriff's Posse Grounds, Cleburne Texas

THE WESTERN VAULT OUT & ABOUT

We broke out of the office and went roadtripping last week to San Antonio. We had a blast shopping at D&D's Annual Spring Tent Sale, seeing the newest spring styles at Ranch at the Rim, and networking at the 21st Annual Outlook for Texas Land Markets. Be sure to check out the entire photo album from our trip on our Facebook page!

Lisa Haberle, of D&D Farm and Ranch, & Mandy Wooten at D&D's Annual Spring Tent Sale. It has been EXTENDED through April 30th!

Beautiful Allye models some great new spring fashions from Double D Ranchwear and Old Gringo available at Ranch at the Rim.

Things to Do Comin' up Soon

Here is a short list of things comin' up soon. Be sure to check out the entire event calendar on TheWesternVault.com for a complete list of great western events all over the United States!