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Hey there, Texas dreamers! 🌟

Hope your 2026 is off to a great start. This week’s roundup feels like a perfect “fresh year, fresh lens” edition. A rare, emotional glimpse into Michael Schumacher’s quiet Texas chapter. A reminder that celebrity superstardom can start with something as simple as a ranch in Westlake. A barbecue expansion that is basically a love letter to brisket and football season. Plus, the small town quietly holding the state’s biggest paychecks and the suburbs where buyers are still competing hard.

Let’s get into it.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Michael Schumacher’s Quiet Legacy Lives On in Texas 🏁

• Before the Spotlight, There Was a Ranch in Texas 🤠

• Brisket, Bacon & Football: A Barbecue Power Play in Arlington 🔥

• Texas' Richest Small Town Isn’t Where You Think 💰

• Texas’s Hottest Housing Markets Aren’t Where You’d Expect 🏡

📈 Trending news

• Texas Land, Bigger Than Ever: 2025’s Top Ranch Listings

• Kick Off 2026 with a Texas State Park Hike

• Texas Celebrity Real Estate: Last year’s Biggest Moves

• Amazon’s 2-Story Tiny Home Under $25K

• Texas Sports Barndominium: Rough-Ins and HVAC Progress

Michael Schumacher’s Quiet Legacy Lives On in Texas 🏁 read the full 1,001-word article here

Article published: December 28, 2025

I just read "All-time Formula One driver's family gives rare glimpse into Texas ranch" from Chron, and it’s the kind of subtle, emotional story that stops you in your scroll.

More than a decade after his tragic skiing accident, Michael Schumacher remains hidden from public view—but over the holidays, his family offered the world a rare window into his private world.

Photos from XCS Ranch in Gordonville, Texas show Schumacher’s wife Corinna and daughter Gina—both champions in Western riding—celebrating the year with heartfelt gratitude and a tight-knit team.

There’s no spectacle here, just quiet strength. The legacy of a racing legend now lives in ranch dirt, horse arenas, and family resilience.

Key Takeaways

• 📷 First public glimpse in years: Schumacher’s family shared rare holiday photos from their private Texas ranch on Instagram.

• 🏇 Corinna and Gina are elite Western riders—together they manage both the Texas ranch and a counterpart in Switzerland.

• 🧠 Michael’s condition remains private after a 2013 brain injury—rumors surfaced in 2024 that he attended his daughter’s wedding.

• 🌾 XCS Ranch is more than land—it’s a sanctuary for family, memory, and a quiet celebration of life beyond F1.

Before the Spotlight, There Was a Ranch in Texas 🤠 read the full 1,025-word article here

Article published: December 18, 2025

I just read "Where Does Joe Jonas Live? Explore the Hitmaker’s Extensive Real Estate Portfolio" from Architectural Digest, and while the NYC condos and Miami mansions are glamorous, it all started on Texas soil.

In 2008, right before their Burnin’ Up tour, Joe Jonas and his brothers bought a $2.9 million ranch in Westlake, Texas—a move that signaled they weren’t just rising stars, they were building roots.

Tucked inside the private Vaquero Club, the six-bedroom estate had a music room, home theater, and outdoor saltwater pool—basically Jonas Brothers HQ during their early superstardom.

Though they sold the home in 2015, that Texas ranch was more than a house—it was the band's behind-the-scenes sanctuary during the most explosive phase of their career.

Key Takeaways

• 🏡 The Jonas ranch featured 7,360 sq. ft., six bedrooms, and classic Southwest architecture in a gated golf community.

• 🎬 Inside amenities included a home theater, music room, game room, and wet bar—perfect for post-tour downtime.

• 🌴 Outside, a saltwater pool and gazebo turned the backyard into a resort-worthy escape from teen stardom pressures.

• 💼 Sold in 2015, but it remains a symbol of the band’s early investment in life beyond the stage.

Brisket, Bacon & Football: A Barbecue Power Play in Arlington 🔥 read the full 1,020-word article here

Article published: December 26, 2025

I just read "Beloved Texas barbecue joint expands near Dallas Cowboys stadium" from MySA, and this might be the most Texas thing ever: smoked meats, family legacy, and a new BBQ hotspot opening within spitting distance of AT&T Stadium.

The Original Roy Hutchins Barbeque—not to be confused with the rival family chain Hutchins BBQ—is bringing its signature bacon-wrapped brisket-stuffed jalapeños (aka Texas Twinkies) to Arlington in early 2026.

The 9,000-square-foot smokehouse will take over a former Texas Land & Cattle location, just steps from where the Cowboys and Rangers play.

Founded by pitmaster legend Roy Hutchins, this family-run joint has become a magnet for celebrities, TikTok foodies, and anyone chasing slow-smoked perfection.

Key Takeaways

• 🐂 Signature item: Texas Twinkies—jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and brisket, wrapped in bacon, and smoked to perfection.

• 📍 New location opens 2026 at 1600 E. Copeland Road—right next to Cowboys and Rangers stadiums in Arlington.

• 🔥 Roy Hutchins is BBQ royalty—originally launched Hutchins BBQ in 1991, returned to the pit in 2023 with his son and grandson.

• 🎥 Viral moments galore—celeb visits include Emmy Rossum and TikTok star Keith Lee, who raved about the Trophy Club location.

Texas' Richest Small Town Isn’t Where You Think 💰 read the full 1,003-word article here

Article published: December 13, 2025

I just read "The richest small town in Texas is surprisingly not in Dallas" from AOL, and let’s just say — if you thought old money lived in Highland Park, think again.

Tucked inside Houston’s city limits, Bellaire just topped GoBankingRates’ list as the richest small town in Texas, with a staggering median household income of $236,311.

With homes averaging over $1.12 million and a population just north of 17,000, Bellaire isn’t some quiet suburb — it’s a polished enclave with elite schools, pristine parks, and grocery stores that probably have valet.

And while Dallas suburb Lewisville may be luring in high earners, its median income of $85K isn’t even in the same league.

Key Takeaways

• 📍 Bellaire is Texas’ richest small town—with a median income of $236,311, it ranks 11th highest nationally among top U.S. towns.

• 🏘️ Average home prices exceed $1.12M—but many properties list well above that thanks to Bellaire’s luxury reputation.

• 🌳 Scored 81 on livability index—top marks for schools, safety, commute times, and local amenities like parks and dining.

• 🚫 It’s not Dallas or Austin—despite perceptions, Houston’s quiet neighbor is where the real money is staying (and spending).

Texas’s Hottest Housing Markets Aren’t Where You’d Expect 🏡 read the full 1,068-word article here

Article published: December 30, 2025

I just read "The 20 most competitive housing markets in Texas" from KTEN, and while national headlines talk about a sluggish market, Texas is proving real estate is still a contact sport.

According to Redfin’s data, cities like The Woodlands, Flower Mound, and Carrollton are leading the pack, with homes flying off the market in just over 20 to 30 days—and many selling for above asking.

What’s behind the heat? Tight supply, quick deals, and high sale-to-list ratios. Even cities like El Paso, Richardson, and Lewisville are seeing serious buyer competition, making Texas one of the most regionally dynamic markets in the U.S.

Forget bidding wars in Austin or Dallas—this report shows it’s the suburbs where the frenzy is real.

Key Takeaways

• 🔥 The Woodlands is #1—homes sell in 21 days, with nearly 45% off the market in under two weeks.

• 💸 Carrollton homes sold above asking price 24.4% of the time, one of the highest over-ask rates in Texas.

• 📉 North Richland Hills had the tightest supply—just 3.18 months of inventory with homes going for 98.8% of list.

• 🏘️ Suburbs are dominating—cities like Euless, Pearland, and Grapevine are more competitive than Austin or Houston right now.

Presented by Sky View Ranch: 10+ to 20+ acre tracts from $149,900 near San Antonio 🌲

If “buy land” has been living in your notes app for years, consider this a nudge. Sky View Ranch is running a Winter Land Sale with 10+ to 20+ acre tracts starting from $149,900, conveniently located to San Antonio, and built for people who want space without giving up basics.

The community highlights a gated entrance, paved roads, electric, and high speed fiber optic internet, so it’s not a “good luck out there” situation once you close. On the fun side, you’re getting huge trees, wide open grasslands, tons of wildlife, plus a 10-acre park and a stocked fishing pond. They also note low taxes through ag valuation, and you can buy now, build later, and choose your own builder, with bank financing available.

Call or text 877-888-9917 (open 7 days a week; private weekday tours available).

Why It Matters

Texas is not just big -- it is layered. Ranches become refuges, barbecue turns into an economic signal, and “small towns” quietly become the state’s biggest money magnets.

With 2026 now in motion, this matters because the market moves before the narrative catches up. Pay attention to where people are planting roots and placing bets, and you will see what is coming next.

Until next time,

Hannah Collinsworth
Editor-in-Chief
Houston, Texas
Texas Property Round Up

P.S. If you’ve been thinking about grabbing 10+ to 20+ acre tracts near San Antonio for a future build (or a weekend escape that actually has paved roads and fiber internet), Sky View Ranch’s Winter Land Sale is worth a quick look. Click here to learn more, or call/text 877-888-9917.