http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Home/2013/May_June/The_Lake_House_at_505_Ranch_Club.aspx

http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Home/2013/May_June/The_Lake_House_at_505_Ranch_Club.aspx

>by David Webb

David Webb is a veteran journalist who has written for the mainstream and alternative media for three decades. He is now a freelancer who lives in the Cedar Creek Lake area. He is the editor of cedarcreeklake.com. E-mail story ideas to davidwaynewebb@yahoo.com.

Sales of luxury waterfront lots at 505 Cedar Creek Ranch Club picked up this summer with three being sold in the past month and several others under consideration by buyers, according to the developers.

Half of the development’s 56 waterfront lots are now sold, and a sellout at the four-year old development is expected within about 18 months, said Roger Maese, director of sales.

“We have several people coming back this weekend to make a decision,” Maese said. “We’ve staked out the lots and mowed paths to walk down to the lake on the lots.”

Maese said the development has seen an increase in interest from buyers. He attributes the sales activity to the economy picking up this year, and the lake filling back up after the severe drought took the level down eight feet last year.

“For the past couple of years people have been waiting,” Maese said. “Now, they are ready to do it.”

Maese said he expects construction on at least three new homes will begin before the end of the year. Six homes are already built, and a seventh is currently under construction, he said.

The increase in interest at 505 Ranch apparently runs parallel to an increase in new home starts observed in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the second quarter of this year.

Home builders started construction on 4,459 homes from April through June, according to Metrostudy of Dallas. That is the largest number of new home starts since two years ago when new home buyers received a federal tax incentive leading to 4,598 started, the report noted.

The authors of the report said they anticipate closings on new homes to continue to increase throughout the year, based on the activity seen in the first half of 2012.

All of the amenities of 505 Ranch are complete, and there is a lot of activity every weekend at the development by current property owners, Maese said.

Amenities at 505 Ranch include equestrian stables, paddocks and a training course for Western and English riders, a polo field, stocked fishing lakes, a skeet and trap range, rustic camping areas with teepees and trails for hiking, biking and ATV riding.

There is also a luxurious clubhouse with a pool room, full service kitchen, dining room, lounge area, terrace, infinity swimming pool, sandy beach and a guest house that can be reserved by property owners when they need extra space for houseguests.

A staff is on hand at 505 Ranch around-the-clock to assist property owners. All of the property owners will proportionally own the 400-acres of common ranch area and its amenities. Homeowners wanting to board horses will pay extra fees, but the rest of the resources are equally available to all.

A concierge whose job is to “make everyone happy” manages the operation and attends to property owners’ requests.

“People buy a lot, and we take care of everything else,” said Bob Jenkins, director of owner services, during a tour of the development in the spring.

The waterfront lots are listed for $325,000 to $525,000 each. There is no time limit on when a house must be built, but a minimum of 3,000-square-foot built of 80 percent stone with a non-composition roof is required.

The houses currently constructed range from 4,800- to 8,500-square-foot. There is no limit on how large of a house can be built, and it is possible to buy more than one lot for the construction.

The developers guarantee that the development will always be exactly what it is now — a pristine wilderness preserved for the use of the property owners, Jenkins said.

The bottom line is that 505 is the kind of place that attracts people who can afford to live wherever they want and tend to insist on the best. That quickly becomes obvious while traveling the scenic road inside the fenced, gated ranch.

A recent tour of the resort guided by Bob Jenkins, director of owner services, showcased an impressive array of amenities, including equestrian stables, paddocks and a training course for Western and English riders, a polo field, stocked fishing lakes, a skeet and trap range, rustic camping areas with teepees and trails for hiking, biking and ATV riding,

For the less active wanting to socialize in comfort, there is a luxurious clubhouse with a pool room, full service kitchen, dining room, lounge area, terrace, infinity swimming pool, sandy beach and a guest house that can be reserved when homeowners need extra space for overnight guests.

And for the ultimate in comfort and peace of mind for the homeowners, the resort comes equipped with a ranch staff on site 24/7, including Jenkins, who unabashedly calls his job the “best one” at 505.

“I get to make everyone happy,” Jenkins said. “I’ve got the easy job, and I love it.”

Whatever the homeowners need, Jenkins makes it happen. When homeowners reserve the guest house for visitors, he’s been known to prepare a breakfast casserole for them. If a homeowner needs something tended to in their absence, Jenkins is their man. He’s also handy when it comes to guiding fishing trips and other activities.

“I’ve gotten to know everyone very well, and they are all very nice people,” said Jenkins, 71, who moved to Cedar Creek Lake 10 years ago. “I’ve got the best job in the world.”

The ranch staff seems dedicated to protecting the serenity of the resort, judging from the reaction when someone reported an unfamiliar vehicle on the roads. The tour was briefly interrupted by an employee who came to investigate, then drove off when he recognized Jenkins as a passenger in the car.

The resort enjoys all city services, including water, road maintenance, fire department and police protection.

The ranch resort, named after the number of its acres, features 56 waterfront lots ranging from 1.2 acres up to 3.5 acres. All of the waterfront property owners also proportionally own the 400-acres of common ranch area and its amenities. Homeowners wanting to board horses pay extra fees, but other than that all of the resort’s resources are available equally to all.

“People buy a lot, and we take care of everything else,” Jenkins said.

About half of the waterfront lots, which are listed from $325,000 to $525,000 each, have been sold at this point, according to Jenkins. Six houses have been built, and another one is currently under construction. There is no time limit on when a house must be built, but a minimum 3,000-square-foot home built of 80 percent stone and with a roof that is not composition is required.

The houses that have been constructed range from 4,800- to 8,500-square foot. There is no limit on how large of a house can be built, and it’s possible to buy more than one lot at a time.

Jenkins noted the recession had slowed down the sale of property, which began about four years ago, but not stopped it. Renewed momentum is expected now that the lake waters have risen again, he said.

The resort will always be exactly what it is now – a pristine wilderness preserved for the use of the homeowners, Jenkins said.

“It will never change,” Jenkins said. “It will be the same 30 years from now. It is a legacy.”

For information visit 505ranch.com

Bob Jenkins is pictured below, along with pictures of the resort clubhouse and other scenes.

“You can’t get these years back. Come and make memories with your family that will last a lifetime, while supporting the 2011 Cattle Baron’s Ball. Own a ranch and a lake house—all in one—on one of the few remaining luxury lakefront homesites at the 505 Ranch Club on Cedar Creek Lake. All just 45 minutes from Dallas.

The 505 Ranch Club is offering an exclusive home ownership opportunity by offering a lot to one lucky bidder at the 2011 Cattle Baron’s Ball. The winning bidder will own a homesite on the shores of beautiful Cedar Creek Lake, along with the very best of both ranch and lakefront living, access to unparalleled amenities, including a state-of-the-art clubhouse with infinityedge pool and spa, guest cottages, a polo field, a skeet and trap shooting range, an ATV course, hiking and horseback riding trails, multiple stocked fishing lakes, and more. This is the chance to create an instant legacy with a home to be treasured for generations. For more information about the 505 Ranch Club on Cedar Creek Lake, please visit http://www.505ranch.com, or call 214.532.6059 for a tour to preview lots prior to auction.

Restrictions: Choice of one lot #30–34. The estimated value of the homesite is $450,000, which includes ownership of the ranch and amenities. The winning bidder will pay to Cattle Baron’s Ball the amount ABOVE the $350,000 reserve at the conclusion of the bidding. Buyer will close with 505 Ranch for the reserve price of $350,000. All contracts, tax and deed transactions will be conducted between the buyer and 505 Ranch Club. The American Cancer Society and Cattle Baron’s Ball assume no responsibility or ownership of the land transaction. If a different lot is desired, buyer may apply the $450,000 value to any lot and pay the incremental difference to purchase that lot instead.

For more information please visit this link, we are live action #16: 2011 Cattle Baron’s Ball

To help you put your thoughts in order, we’ve prepared a brief list of recommendations:

• Put together a team of professionals at the start, and include your architect, builder, landscape designer and interior designer. This will help you with regard to overall budgeting. Everyone wants to see their creations become a reality, but great ideas can grow to be extravagant ideas fairly easily. The most neglected area is usually the landscaping, and since you’re preparing a place where you will enjoy the outdoors, you’ll want to give equal attention to your outdoor space.

• Spend as much time as you need in the planning stage and never allow yourself to be rushed into decisions. Your team must demonstrate that your opinion is the one that matters to them. Don’t enter into a contract with any member of your team until you are sure of all the information you gathered, you have checked out references, and you have seen their enthusiasm with regard to making your plans into a reality.

• Also, when choosing your team, keep in mind that smallest things must be respected in order for the big things to turn out right. Failure to be on time, failure to keep a promise, failure to return phone calls – these are recipes for disaster. Pay attention to small details in the beginning, and trust your instincts.

Congratulations on having chosen to build a lakefront luxury home. Roger Maese, who serves as Sales Director for 505 Ranch Club, is a wonderful source of information with regard to architects and builders. He would be happy to hear from you at any time during the process of selecting your team and building your second home.

Cedar Creek Lake is the fourth largest lake in Texas, created in 1964 as a water reservoir. It was built on Cedar Creek, which is a tributary to the Trinity River. There are other major creeks that contribute to the inflow as well. Early on it began to be the prime choice for lake homes as it is one of the few lakes in Texas that allows property ownership of the 320 miles of shoreline. The lake is 8.5 miles wide at its widest point, and it covers approximately 32,000 acres.

Owners of real estate on Cedar Creek Lake have access to services and shopping at a number of towns including Mabank and Gun Barrel City where, between these two towns, you will find the 505 Ranch Club. Property owners and visitors find a wide variety of offerings in the local towns, including retail shopping areas, country clubs, medical facilities, fine restaurants, entertainment and church affiliations. Some of the towns also have festivals that can be a lot of fun for the locals and visitors.

While there is a ton of fun to be had on the lakeshore, the anglers would say we’ve missed the point if we don’t talk about fishing. Fishing on Cedar Creek Lake has been rated as excellent for White & Hybrid Striped Bass (which are stocked annually) and rated good for Largemouth Bass, Catfish and Crappie by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Fishermen say that Largemouth Bass angling is best in the clear water at the lower end of the lake and that Catfish are abundant and found everywhere, with more Blues than Channels in the legal size range.

For the second home owners at 505 Ranch Club, our location on Texas’ beautiful Cedar Creek Lake and our amenities provide everything they could want. The location is peaceful, tranquil, filled with nature’s beauty and space, and a far cry from urban life. It is also the perfect place for family activities within the 505 acres of the development. Our amenities include equestrian; walking, riding and 4 wheeler trails; clubhouse and pool; skeet shooting; concierge and much more. And the greatest amenity of course is the lake itself.

We invite you to come out here to our bit of paradise, get to know Cedar Creek Lake, and come and visit us at the 505 Ranch Club.

Kim was clear on her reasons for volunteering: “I joined the Cattle’s Ball because I identify with cancer. After losing my grandmother I vowed to take part in the fight as its effects can be drastic and aggressive, leaving someone once full of life, with little promise.” She went on to explain that with more funds, researchers are able to continue to discover ways to fight cancer and hopefully one day, find a cure. Kim said, “We are 100 women who volunteer our time and talents to raise money to help find the cure for cancer- it is not only an honor but a commitment to building long-lasting relationships with our donors. Without their continued generosity, we wouldn’t be able to offer such assistance to The American Cancer Society.”

One of the proud donors to the Live Auction is the 505 Ranch Club. A beautiful 505 lot on Cedar Creek Lake is being offered, much to Kim’s pleasure. She said, “My family has visited Ranch 505 and we feel this family locale is the perfect respite from the daily doings of the Dallas and Fort Worth area. From fishing, swimming and boating, to skeet shooting, equestrian activities and 4 wheelers, it’s the treasured family adventure awaiting you that make this place so great – and it’s only 45 minutes from Dallas! We are honored to have Ranch 505 be a part of our Live Auction, helping us continue to raise funds for the cure.”

Kim went on, “This year, our Live Auction is one not to be missed. Our items include traveling to Rome to meet world-renowned jewelry heir Mr. Bulgari for a private tour of the Bulgari archives and a fabulous lunch at his favorite locale; designing your own custom piece with another well-known jewelry designer Mr. Konstantino in Athens; exploring the Greek islands; a five-star dove hunt in Argentina; a trip to Aspen for the 30th Annual Food & Wine Festival where you’ll stay in a glorious private home and signature Pappas Bros. Steakhouse chef will cook your meals and provide a personal tour of the festival; touring on a private yacht in Tahiti courtesy of Fraser Yachts; art by renowned artists Phil Romano and JD Miller and a private dinner for you and 8 couples at their art gallery, and much, much more!”

The 505 Ranch Club is proud to be a part of the Live Auction which, last year, sold 26 items in 1 hour and 25 minutes totaling over $700,000! We also look forward to this year’s entertainer on the Live Auction Stage, Dierks Bentley, and their main headliner on the Main Stage, Darius Rucker.

We thank Kim Bannister, Chair of the Cattle Baron’s Ball Live Auction, for sharing her excitement with us. The Cattle Baron’s Ball takes place this year on October 15 at Southfork Ranch. More information about this superbly successful charitable event is available at http://www.cattlebaronsball.com.