Sweetheart Ranch

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.