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3 Things First-Time West Texas Ranch Owners Need to Know

A painted ranch gate on West Texas ranch landIf you’re sick of the mundane 9 to 5 lifestyle and are considering purchasing a West Texas ranches for sale as a new career goal or a way to get back to a simpler life, our experts at Lone Star Investments are here to help you along the way. Let’s take a look at a few of the top things first-time Texas ranch owners need to know before making the jump into ranch ownership.

To learn more about owning a ranch in West Texas, call Lone Star Investments at (915) 532-5263 today!

Be Ready to Invest in Start-Up Costs

If you’re a first-time ranch owner, you may be surprised to find out how much money is required during the start-up phase of owning a working ranch. In addition to researching ranch land for sale and securing a large plot of space for your work, you’ll also need to set aside money for the following items for your West Texas ranch:

  • Pick up truck
  • Tractor and livestock trailer
  • Corral and fencing construction 
  • Cattle chute
  • Building construction for livestock, feed, and supplies
  • Purchase of animals, hay, and feed
  • Hourly employee wages (if applicable)

While this may seem like a lot of money initially, the success of your West Texas ranch will depend on having the right tools, equipment, and training for the job.

Owning a West Texas Ranch Requires a Lifestyle Change

Owning a ranch is hard work, and while it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, this lifestyle is not for everyone. If you’ve been daydreaming about owning a ranch or looking into ranch land for sale in your area, you should be prepared for the lifestyle that comes with ranch ownership. If you are interested in owning your own ranch, here are a few lifestyle changes that may occur:

  • You’ll become a morning person – operating a ranch or working farm typically requires waking up early to ensure you have plenty of daylight to complete tasks while avoiding the high temperatures of the midday sun.
  • Vacations will be few and far between – Some ranch owners may eventually be able to afford full-time ranch hands. But if you’re starting your first ranch, you should expect to spend most of your time working on the ranch as caring for animals requires daily feeding, cleaning, and attention to maintain clean, sanitary, and healthy conditions.
  • Luxury items won’t be a top priority – while most people across the US tend to spend their money on items like new cars and cell phones, as a ranch owner, you will likely be spending most of your money on supplies and equipment for the ranch. 

Not All Ranch Land is Created Equal

If you’ve considered owning a ranch and have begun your search for West Texas ranch land for sale, there are a few important considerations when choosing a place to establish your roots as a ranch owner. While owning and operating a range requires a lot of acreage, there are some other considerations to keep in mind when shopping around for ranch land for sale, including:

  • Ease of access to the property
  • Zoning regulations and restrictions for certain activities such as the use of pesticides and burning organic materials
  • Soil and groundwater health 
  • Whether the site contains or is near any protected areas such as wetlands, archaeological sites, and more.
  • Elevation, flood potential, and drainage concerns
  • The proximity of old dump sites which may contain hazardous waste materials
  • The potential for growth of the ranch in the future
  • Existing easements
  • Safety of livestock from uncontrolled hunting or fishing in the area

To be sure you’re choosing the right land for your West Texas ranch, our trusted team at Lone Star Investments is standing by to help you make the right investment for your future. Call (915) 532-5263 or contact us online to learn more about how our team can help you get started owning the ranch of your dreams.