Putting the land into agricultural production or following an approved wildlife management plan can significantly lower property taxes. In many cases, it also can support the ecology of the region.
AuthorFarm Credit Bank of Texas
Farm Credit Bank of Texas 
FARM CREDIT BANK OF TEXAS, headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a cooperatively owned wholesale bank that is part of the nationwide Farm Credit System. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life in rural America by using cooperative principles to provide competitive credit and superior service to our customers. Find out more at FindFarmCredit.com.
Steps to Take Before Buying Rural Property
What do you get when you combine high demand and low interest rates? A Texas land rush, according to Farm Credit lenders.
Tax Relief for Texas Landowners
Take advantage of ag-use valuations to lower your rural property taxes. If you own rural land in the Lone Star State, there are ways to reduce your property tax burden.
Barndo Basics
Also known as a barn house or barndo, a barndominium is a dual- or multi-purpose structure that encompasses living space and a barn, workshop, or other workspaces under a single roof. Barndos are popular as no-frills buildings on recreational properties—complete with living quarters, a kitchen and even room for a few all-terrain vehicles and tractors.
Property Improvements That Pay Off
Learn how to get more use and enjoyment from your property while increasing its value.
First Impressions
Property entrances hold functional and aesthetic appeal for landowners. Gates are as much a part of Texas’ rural landscape as bluebonnets and wide-open spaces. But when it comes to design, tastes in the Lone Star State are as varied as the terrain.
Admire from Afar, Inquire up Close
If you’re considering buying a property from a distance, it’s important to do your homework and work with the right pros.
Just Add Water to Increase Your Land Value
In Texas, nothing attracts wildlife and birds to your property—and keeps them coming back—like water. And few property improvements are as likely to increase your land value as a pond, lake or stock tank.
Build Your Dream Team
If you’re flipping through the pages of Texas Land, chances are you’re dreaming of a place to call your own. Maybe you want a spot to hunt and fish. You might be ready for a second home now and a retirement home later. Or you’ve seen land hold its value, making it a stable long-term investment. Whatever your reasons, it’s wise to work with professionals who can help you find, purchase and manage your place in the country. That’s especially true if you’re new to the rural way of life.
The Hunt for Rural Property
Consider these 15 factors when looking to buy a place in the country.
Appraisals Go High Tech
Apps, maps, phones and drones
help rural appraisers arrive at accurate property values faster than ever.
Should You Purchase or Lease Farm and Ranch Equipment?
Before you go shopping for a shiny new tractor or pickup truck, consider two things—whether to buy new or used, and whether to finance or lease.
A Shine to Wine: Texas Landowners Look to Vineyards as Alternative to Cropland
Over the past 35 years, scores of individuals have established vineyards and wineries across Texas, some looking for an alternative crop for existing farmland, others pursuing a lifelong desire to operate their own winery.
Tracking the Trend in Land Values
Have you wondered what your land is worth? The only way to truly know its value is to have hard data on market trends. Fortunately, that kind of information is available thanks to a friendship forged over 50 years ago.
What the New Tax Law Means for Agriculture & Rural Landowners
The largest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in three decades went into effect this year, impacting farmers, ranchers and other rural landowners in a variety of ways. For the most part, financial experts anticipate benefits for these groups.
Livestock Insurance Helps Protect Against Weather and Market Risks
Raising livestock can be a rewarding but sometimes risky business. One risk management tool available to producers is livestock insurance, which can pay off both financially and in terms of peace of mind.
Essential Tips for Getting Your First Farm or Ranch Loan
In some urban areas today, real estate is a seller’s market. With numerous buyers lined up for one property, you can miss out on the home of your dreams without a loan pre-approval in hand.
Find Out What Your Land is Really Worth
Assigning value to your land is no easy task, which is why finding the right information from a reliable source of rural land value trends is crucial.
Keeping the Past Alive: 10 Architect-Approved Tips for Renovating Historic Homes
Anyone who’s ever owned an old house wishes those walls could talk. Here are ten tips for renovating a historic home to keep its storied past alive.
Good Fences, Good Neighbors: What You Need to Know About Fence Laws
Rural landowners know that fence issues can create extremely strained relationships among neighbors. Here’s a guide to staying on the right side of the law.
