Meet Holly Lake Ranch and Your New Favorite Lake House

One of the best things about being a Realtor and writing for CandysDirt.com is discovering little pockets of places I never even knew existed. Despite literally growing up here. I didn’t know about White Rock until I was an adult, gang. I’m a geographical late bloomer. Sue me. But don’t.

This little pocket is called Holly Lake Ranch. It’s in East Texas, set under the canopy of the Piney Woods. Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Int’l. Realty’s Emily Thompson calls it a resort-style community and said it’s like the country club in Dirty Dancing. That’s such an accurate description it’s not even funny. It’s so perfect and charming and has every amenity you could ever want — but it’s not slick and overly polished with Carrera marble countertops.

A Home, or a Home Away From Home

It’s cozy and comfortable and the place where you drink sweet tea out of Tupperware cups that used to be in your main house, but now have rotated to your lake house. It feels like living in summer camp and some residents really do.

Others load up on peace and tranquility over the weekend before they head back to reality. It goes both ways. And before you even comb through the bylaws, yes, short-term rentals are allowed. There is a waitlist and a finite number, but the waitlist isn’t stagnated so sit tight because it will be your turn.

Remember when I mentioned amenities? I don’t know if you’re into golf, but there is a golf course. (And this custom-built home is right by it.) There are tennis courts and pickleball courts (I think that’s state law now), parks, pools, fishing, boating, hiking trails, an onsite restaurant, and the community has its own security as well.

Game On

As for this house, it’s solid. Built in the 1990s, it is indeed by the lake, but lives like a full-time home. (Again, a lot of residents are full time.) There’s an impressive living room that’s open to the huge dine-in kitchen where everyone always gathers. And an even huger gameroom upstairs with plenty of storage space for all your old board games like Scattegories and Cranium. And if you want me to freaking own you, you’ll challenge me to three rounds of Scattegories. Heads up, I’m not a full-on cheater, but I’m happy to shade things my way.

Right out the kitchen door, there’s a generous covered patio and woods on woods on woods. Out the front door and all the windows? Lake views. Upstairs there’s an incredible balcony with picture-perfect rustic rocking chairs. There’s yet another perk of this place — they are open to selling some or all of the furnishings.

Head out to the open house today and see what fresh air feels like. Thompson will be onsite from 12 to 3 p.m. She has 109 Golf Drive listed for $575,000.