Texas, the second-largest state in the United States, is home to a wide variety of stunning natural areas. Water activities are popular in Florida because of the warm weather and the many lakes and beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Oenophiles and hikers both are drawn to wine country’s picturesque slopes, and the region’s numerous quaint villages provide much for cultural vultures and gastronomes to savor.
Approximately one million acres of nature preserves with a wide variety of flora and fauna may found in Texas. The state is also home to two dordle national parks: Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend.
Investment in a second house in Texas is thus not surprising. Seven of the most visited places in Texas that visitors often end up calling home listed below.
Lake Cedar Creek
Cedar Creek Lake (technically a reservoir, really) has over 200 miles of gorgeous coastline, making it a popular destination for tourists and second-home owners from as far away as California and Canada. Seven Points is home to the award-winning Cedar Creek Brewery, so if you’re looking for a place to relax with a refreshing beer or glass of wine while listening to live music, go no further. There are a number of golf courses and other outdoor activities like as fishing, hiking, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding available to those who want to maintain an active lifestyle.
As one real estate agent put it, “Cedar Creek Lake offers lake homes and waterfront lots fitting any budget, from the low 100,000s to the multi-millions,” Debbie French of Ebby Halliday said.
Specifically, Galveston Island’s Lafite’s Cove
This section of Galveston Island is like a tropical paradise and named after the French pirate Jean Lafitte (the spelling is different owing to a clerical mistake that remained). Visualize elaborate birds, swaying palms, verdant landscaping, and wonderfully groomed grounds that lead to breathtaking vistas of the Gulf of Mexico. Pirates Beach, a popular destination, is never more than a leisurely stroll or golf-cart ride away for locals.
Bet Jennings, a real estate agent with Greenwood King Properties, said, “Locally owned restaurants with fresh seafood and, of course, all the amenities of Galveston are within 15 minutes.” These amenities include the Pleasure Pier, The Strand, several stores and restaurants, and nightly live performances. In addition to locals from Austin and Dallas, Jennings noted that many purchasers in Laffite’s Cove come from other states, including California and Arizona.
Travis Lake
One of the most popular places in Texas to go for a dip in the lake is Lake Travis, which has called the “crown jewel” of Central Texas. With more than 270 miles of coastline, the lake provides a beautiful setting for a wide variety of outdoor pursuits including boating, jet skiing, and even zip lining. At Lake Travis, the good times just keep on coming.
Kara Jones, director of marketing at Realty Austin, said that the market for houses costing $1 million and more on Lake Travis had seen “tremendous increase in activity” over the previous two years. Between April 2020 and April 2022, the number of sold high-end listings climbed by 340%, while the number of new listings increased by 367%. Rough Hollow Lakeway, Volente Peak, the Hollows at Northshore, Lakehurst, and the Reserve at Hudson Bend named as some of the most desirable neighborhoods on Lake Travis.
Fredericksburg
Wine lovers could consider making this charming Texas town their permanent home. Located in scenic wine country, Fredericksburg is a year-round destination. You’ll never have time to get bored with everything there is to see and do, from vineyards and tasting rooms to museums and trails. The fanciful Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a haven for hikers and rock climbers seeking a variety of outdoor activities.
The location, about 75 miles from both Austin and San Antonio, has made it a favorite vacation home choice for city dwellers. According to Moreland Properties broker Anna Lee, the typical listing price in Fredericksburg increased by 45.3% year over year, reaching $780,500 in April 2022.
Lake LBJ, or Lyndon Baines Johnson.
Tammie Bennett of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty of Lake LBJ described the area as “truly a magical place” where many Texans have fond memories of spending time as children fishing and water skiing. This lake continues to be a tourist hotspot because of the abundance of nearby resorts and outdoor pursuits. The housing market has something for every buyer, from modest starter homes to huge mansions.
In addition, Bennett said, “Approximately 75% of the lake houses in the communities surrounding Lake LBJ are second homes with prices [ranging] from $500,000 to $15 million.”
A New Braunfels
If you want to experience Germany without leaving Texas, go no further than this lovely city. New Braunfels was founded in the middle of the 19th century by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, who took the name from his native Germany. It situated in an ideal location between the larger cities of Austin and San Antonio. New Braunfels is a great place to take the kids because of its strong German past (be sure to check out the town’s annual Wurstfest event) and its closeness to natural wonders like the Natural Bridge Caverns, Wildlife Ranch, and Comal River.
New Braunfels is not only a terrific place to buy a second home, but also a great place to invest, thanks to its record new listing prices and fast-expanding population of about 100,000. Landa Park Highlands and The Bluffs on the Guadalupe are two of the most attractive areas on the market right now, and their 27.7 percent house value growth from 2021 has attracted the attention of many investors, according to Jennifer Shemwell, CEO of Phyllis Browning Company.
Located in Livingston County
In the heat of the Houston summer, locals and visitors alike go to this artificial lake to relax, sunbathe, and take in the breathtaking vistas along its shores. Fishing, hiking, camping, and boating are all popular things to do around the lake, and there are more than 450 miles of coastline to choose from. The increased demand for vacation houses caused by the epidemic has made this location more desirable, particularly among telecommuters.
Many households chose to remain in their lake houses during the epidemic, allowing children unrestricted access to the water and allowing parents to continue working from the comfort of home. The latest question asked by first-time purchasers who visiting the lake for the first time is “How’s the Wi-Fi?” remarked Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty’s Aaron Sonnier. He went on to say that the cost of beachfront real estate may range from $350,000 to $3,000,000.
