9738 E FM 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654

Smithwick Hills Ranch is located in the heart of the highly sought after Highland Lakes area just 10 minutes to Marble Falls, 20 minutes to Horseshoe Bay, 55 minutes to Downtown Austin, and 1 hour to Fredericksburg. The ranch is an ideal opportunity to buy a piece of the Texas Hill Country centrally located in of one of the fastest growing Regions in the State of Texas, just minutes from wineries, restaurants, state parks, lakes, boating, and more. The ranch is extremely versatile and would make a great full time ranch, recreational property, 1031 investment hold, hunting ranch, or potential development, offering 1 mile of FM 1431 frontage. An agricultural exemption is in place on the property.

The Smithwick 220-acre site comes with a significant head start for developers — a November 2025 engineering study is already complete, outlining water infrastructure capacity across three build scenarios. Depending on waterline size, the property can support approximately 300 LUEs with a 6-inch line, 500 LUEs with an 8-inch line, or up to 1,400 LUEs with a 12-inch line. All configurations include a transmission main spanning 9,500 linear feet, a treatment plant, storage tanks, and a booster station. Water service would be provided by Texas Water Utilities, drawing from an LCRA surface water source.

The ranch boasts stunning natural features from hill tops, valleys, bottom land with seasonal creeks lined with pecan trees, hills glazed with endless amounts of wildflowers through spring and summer. There are several hill tops on the ranch that would all make great build sites, offering a Buyer many options that capture the views and perfect orientation of the sunset.

WATER: Seasonal creek, 2 small ponds, 4 water wells (10 gpm, 2 gpm, 1.5 gpm, and 1 gpm).

IMPROVEMENTS: Old 3 bedroom 2 bath ranch house on the hill top, with a separate 2 car garage that could be converted into another living space.

Smithwick Hills Ranch spans 220 acres in the Highland Lakes area of Burnet County, just east of Marble Falls on FM 1431, positioning serious equestrian and agricultural buyers within minutes of established Hill Country amenities while maintaining genuine working ranch capability. The property includes a 1-mile frontage on FM 1431, an agricultural exemption already in place, and infrastructure rare for land at this scale - a completed November 2025 engineering study maps water capacity for three development scenarios supporting 300 to 1,400 land use equivalents depending on waterline configuration.

The equestrian foundation starts with the terrain itself. Rolling slopes, valley bottoms, and multiple hilltops create natural separation for paddocks, turnout areas, and facility placement. Heavy native tree coverage including large pecan stands along seasonal creek beds provides natural shade and wind protection critical for horse operations. The sloped topography drains naturally, reducing mud and drainage problems common in flatter ranch properties across central Texas. A seasonal creek runs through the property alongside two ponds and four functioning water wells - the combination ensures reliable water supply for livestock, pastures, and operational needs even in dry periods when most Hill Country properties struggle with water access.

Existing ranch improvements include a 3-bedroom, 2-bath main house positioned on a hilltop capturing sunset views across native wildflower coverage that blooms through spring and summer, plus a 2-car garage convertible to secondary living space. The foundation exists for buyers to develop barns, arenas, and specialized equestrian facilities without starting from bare ground. The property's existing infrastructure - wells, seasonal water sources, road frontage, and electrical access - accelerates the timeline for operational ranches versus raw acreage acquisitions.

Location compounds the functional appeal. Marble Falls sits 10 minutes south via FM 1431, providing emergency veterinary care, feed suppliers, and farrier services. Horseshoe Bay is 20 minutes away for recreational boating and resort amenities. Downtown Austin reaches in 55 minutes, while Fredericksburg wineries and state parks sit under one hour away. Marble Falls ISD serves the property, anchored by schools in town with rural character maintained across the ranch itself.

At 220 acres with water rights, existing structures, and road frontage positioned for either continued agricultural operations or development, Smithwick Hills Ranch appeals to buyers seeking a working property immediately rather than a long-term build project. The combination of equestrian capability, infrastructure readiness, and Highland Lakes proximity creates rare flexibility in an appreciating market segment.