127 Marina Rd, Smithville, TX 78957

On five acres in Smithville, Sweetheart Ranch offers a turnkey creative retreat with multiple structures, a new barn and apartment, and a pond—an easy, design-forward escape less than an hour from Austin.

Fully taken to the studs, the main home has been rebuilt with a warm, modern aesthetic. Wood wraps the exterior and interior, complemented by raised ceilings, a new metal roof, and a streamlined wood-burning fireplace finished in smooth cement. The two-bedroom layout feels calm and cohesive, with an all-wood backdrop and a farmhouse kitchen featuring butcher-block counters and an apron-front sink. Generous windows and covered porches on both sides connect the home to its five-acre setting.

A brand-new barn and barn apartment were built to complement the property’s aesthetic and function. The barn includes three stalls, a feed room, tack room, and pasture access. Above it, the full apartment continues the wood-wrapped look with a kitchenette, full bath with a claw-foot tub, a bedroom, and elevated views that create a sense of privacy and retreat.

A detached container structure adds flexible space for a studio, office, or guests. With a half bath, kitchenette, lofted area, and elevated deck, it expands the property’s usability without competing with the main home.

The land is inviting and intentional, with a pond designed for swimming, a chicken coop, and acreage that leads to a wet-weather creek. The property also includes an updated septic system and an electric car charger.

Smithville offers the charm of a historic small town with an artistic, tight-knit community, local shops, cafés, galleries, and a creative culture shaped by its film history and local makers. It provides the space and ease of rural living without feeling remote.

Acreage, design, and usability rarely align this well this close to Austin. Sweetheart Ranch manages all three—quietly, intentionally, and with room to grow.

The 3,000 square foot log home at 127 Marina Rd in Smithville sits on 4.435 acres of Bastrop County land, offering the kind of functional space that grows with a family's needs. Built in 1984 and substantially updated, this single-family residence prioritizes flow and practicality in ways that show up immediately in how the home actually lives.

The open floor plan connects the kitchen, breakfast bar, and main living areas without walls that interrupt sight lines or movement. A kitchen island anchors the eat-in kitchen and serves as both prep space and gathering point. The double oven and cooktop handle cooking at scale, while the walk-in pantry keeps dry goods and tools organized and out of view. Laminate countertops are built for durability, not fussiness. Beamed ceilings and natural woodwork throughout reinforce the open aesthetic without adding visual clutter.

The three bedrooms spread across the floor plan with the primary bedroom positioned on the main level, eliminating the need to navigate stairs with laundry or in the middle of the night. Three full bathrooms and a half bath mean no bottlenecks during morning routines, a practical detail that compounds when multiple schedules overlap. The wood flooring throughout simplifies cleaning and maintenance.

Storage solutions are embedded into the design. Beyond the walk-in pantry, ceiling fans reduce the need for central air while maintaining function, and the natural light from generous windows cuts down reliance on artificial lighting during daylight hours. Covered porches on front and rear extend the usable square footage seasonally and provide transition space between indoor and outdoor areas.

The private, tree-filled lot includes a dog run and rear porch positioned to watch over the back yard where mature trees create a natural canopy. The property's 4.435 acres provide space without demanding intensive maintenance of open acreage. Smithville ISD serves the property, with Smithville High School rated 8/10 on GreatSchools, Brown Primary and Smithville Middle completing the district.

At $283 per square foot and less than an hour from Austin's major employment centers, this property delivers the square footage and land that central Austin families often can't find at any price. The layout works for a growing family, remote workers needing a dedicated office space, or anyone who values a floor plan that thinks about how people actually move through a home.