Bret Polk

 

  • Texas Real Estate Broker License, 2023
  • Texas Real Estate Salesman License, 2012
  • Registered Professional Land Surveyor, 2008
  • Licensed Texas Irrigator, 2001
  • B.S. Turfgrass Management, Tarleton State University, 1999

 

Bret Polk was raised on a working ranch along the Bosque River just North of Hico, Texas. He developed a passion for hunting, fishing, and the natural beauty of this part of Central Texas, at a young age. Something he shares with his wife and three children today.

In 1999, Bret graduated from Tarleton State University with a B.S. in turfgrass management and was hired by Rough Creek Lodge and Resort as superintendent of resort grounds and a couple years later as assistant superintendent at Lake Fork's acclaimed championship golf course, The Links at Land's End. Each of these positions allowed him unique opportunities and invaluable experience working on property development and enhancement projects. With a growing family and intent of raising his children on the family ranch near Hico, he returned in 2002 where he went to work for a land surveying company. After six years working in the land surveying industry, Bret started his own firm in 2008.

He has had the pleasure of assisting clients with their land acquisitions and sales surveying farm and ranch property throughout Central Texas, including Bosque, Hamilton, Erath, Comanche, Mills, Lampasas, Coryell, Hill, and Somervell counties. He currently owns and operates Polk Land Surveying, specializing in farm and ranch boundary and topographic surveys. He has also worked with numerous land owners on private lake construction projects and the NRCS on flood control structure rehabilitation projects. In 2012, Bret received his Texas Real Estate License and joined the Hortenstine Ranch Company team. Bret uses his vast knowledge from surveying, land management, and land development to assist clients who desire to sell or purchase ranches for sale in Texas, more specifically in the Central Texas area.

Information About Brokerage Services

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Testimonials

Esq.
Bret Polk of the Hortenstine Ranch Company is a remarkable real estate broker. If you value conscientiousness, effectiveness, and integrity, you should seriously consider working with Bret Polk. In my decades of experience working with real estate professionals, Bret is among the very best. My wife’s grandparents owned and operated a farm in Clifton, Texas which consisted of just over 1,000 acres in Bosque County. After they passed, the farm was owned by 5 related people who each lived in a different state and the property was being farmed by a tenant farmer. Bret is an honorable man who knows his business. After going out to the farm and seeing it with his own eyes, he provided us with accurate information about the property and the market, so that we could establish a realistic price for the property. His knowledge of farm properties is far beyond that of the ordinary agent. Bret dealt very well with the tenant farmer, getting him to cooperate with showing and selling the farm. He pointed out areas where the property could be improved at a reasonable price, to make the farm more attractive to Buyers. Then, he helped find local people who could do that work for the Sellers. Throughout this transaction, Bret kept his word, which in my experience is not always the case. He was reasonable in the requested repairs, and the cost of these repairs was recovered at the close of escrow. Bret’s marketing materials very clearly described the farm which helped to raise the interest of potential Buyers. His wise counsel and knowledge of the market kept the process moving. Each time offers came in, Bret clearly explained the terms to all 5 sellers. He was extremely patient and rational with each of the Sellers, answering their questions and helping them to understand the process. Bret is a Master of Communication, keeping all parties informed of all developments as well as explaining the implications of their decisions. Bret was always quick to call, text or email all parties whenever there were issues to be discussed and when necessary he called us back promptly. We also observed that Bret dealt with all potential Buyers and their representatives in a very professional manner. Disagreement between the five owners unfolded as one faction changed their minds about selling. Bret’s knowledgeable and calming approach kept the parties on track. Ultimately, it was decided that the farm needed to be partitioned into two approximately equal pieces, and one-half of the property was sold by those who wanted to sell. The family differences could have been the end of the transaction if it were not for Bret’s fair and even-handed approach. As it turned out, Bret generated several solid offers and guided us to a better deal than we had been expected. Everyone involved was ultimately satisfied with the outcome. Bret successfully led this herd of cats through a maze of many obstacles. He was the hero in our transaction. Without his help, this escrow would never have closed! To provide credibility to this letter, you should know that I have been a real estate broker since 1983 and a real estate lawyer since 1991. My experience includes personal involvement in literally thousands of real estate transactions with brokers from across the country, as well as teaching real estate broker courses at a community college. Prior to this transaction, I had never met Bret. Bret is one of the very best agents I have ever encountered. He has earned this praise many times over! There are hundreds of agents who would love to list your property or help you find one to buy, but there are very few who have the expertise, the understanding of the process, and the temperament to get the job done for your benefit. This is an honorable man who is very capable of helping you with your most difficult real estate transaction. After seeing Bret in action, I have no reservations in strongly recommending Bret Polk as your real estate agent in any land/farm transaction. If you wish to discuss our experience dealing with Bret, please feel free to give me a call. I would be happy to discuss how grateful we are that we selected Bret Polk to represent our interests in the sale of the family farm. He is among the very best agents I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Do yourself a favor; give Bret a chance to help you with your real estate needs! You’ll be glad you did!
Steven J. Zipperman
Ranch Buyer
I have always dreamed of owning a ranch in Texas and Hortenstine Ranch Company helped that dream come true. They were very patient with us as my wife and I looked at different parts of Texas until we finally settled on a ranch in Bosque County. We had an unusual circumstance with the Seller and Bret was a great resource and there with us through the whole process. We highly recommend the Hortenstine Ranch Company as you look for your dream property.
Adam and Katie Brown Bosque County Eleven Ten Ranch
Ranch Buyer
Bret Polk and Blake Hortenstine worked diligently to find us the perfect ranch. Our expectations were high and the list of requirements was long. After a few short months, Bret found us the perfect property; we knew the moment we went through the gate that we were “home.” Bret continues to be our first phone call when we have questions and his guidance on ways we can improve our property is priceless. The friendship we have developed along the way makes it easy to say Hortenstine Ranch Company will be the only ranch real estate brokers we will use and recommend to our friends and acquaintances.
Cynthia and Scott Prince Hamilton County Rock Away Ranch

Land for Sale by Bret Polk

New Listing
Erath County, TX
Overview/Summary: Set amongst 784+/- acres of rolling Cross Timbers region landscape, The Lake Ranch @ Hico represents the finer things in life and is in an asset class all its own. A rare opportunity to own and enjoy 100 surface acres of pristine pr...
783.84± Acres
|
$19,500,000
New Listing
Erath County, TX
Location: The property is located 10+/- miles west of Hico, Texas, on Erath County Road No. 293, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes southwest of Fort Worth, 2 hours southwest of Dallas, and 2 hours 15 minutes north of Austin.  Description: The...
448.24± Acres
|
$6,700,000
New Listing
Hamilton County, TX
Summary:  Welcome to Rock Away Ranch, a very unique one of one type recreational ranch property that features highly sought after Cowhouse Creek frontage, diverse terrain, excellent topography, big views, abundant wildlife, and an absolutely spe...
511.45± Acres
|
$7,671,690
Price Reduced
Uvalde County, TX
Summary: Remote, private, protected, big, wild, scenic, unique, extraordinary. These are just a few adjectives that quickly come to mind when considering the Long Hollow Ranch and the many facets and features this Hill Country River Region dandy has ...
7,532.21± Acres
|
$16,950,000
Comanche County, TX
Summary:  The North Gate Ranch has it all with a collection of diverse and highly sought-after land features that are sure to grab your attention and spark your imagination, offering unmatched topography, views that go on for miles, heavily wood...
627.36± Acres
|
$4,000,000
Comanche County, TX
Summary:  7 Arrows Ranch is one of the most scenic ranches you will find anywhere. At 1,533.98 acres this “Legacy” size ranch sprawls across the landscape in western Comanche County, but what’s even more unique is the property ...
1,533.98± Acres
|
$11,000,000
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