Celebrating Records at the HRC Annual Spring Retreat

Each year, the Hortenstine Ranch Company Annual Spring Retreat is a highly anticipated event where brokers and agents come together to discuss the state of the business, share insights, and celebrate achievements. It serves as an opportunity to reflect on the past year, recognize successes, and strategize for future growth. Beyond business, the retreat is a cherished time for our team to enjoy each other’s company, strengthen friendships, and embrace the camaraderie that makes HRC feel like a family. Fostering a close-knit culture has always been a priority, and the bonds within our HRC family continue to be one of our greatest strengths.

Business Meeting: Insights and Achievements

The retreat kicks off with the company business meeting, a session dedicated to evaluating the past year’s performance and refining our approach for the future. Hearing perspectives from each broker and agent is invaluable, as their unique insights help shape our strategies and drive continued success.

2024 Highlights

Hortenstine Ranch Company experienced another year of growth in 2024, closing 46 transactions spanning 19,218 acres and bringing HRC to over $1.9 billion in sales. The team also expanded, welcoming new agent Jonathan James, who launched a boots-on-the-ground campaign in Oklahoma. As a landowner in southeastern Oklahoma, Jonathan brings firsthand knowledge and a passion for land to his clients. He is headquartered in Durant.

Additionally, longtime Broker Associate Jack Fauntleroy obtained his Oklahoma real estate license. A resident of Throckmorton, just over an hour from the Red River bordering southern Oklahoma, Jack is excited to offer his clients expanded opportunities in the region.

Notable 2024 Ranch Listings and Sales

Among the standout ranches listed and sold this year:

• Lake Monticello – Listed a spectacular 2,001+/- acre lake property for $131 million.
• The Lake Ranch @ Hico – Listed and sold a breathtaking 783.84-acre property featuring a 104+/- acre lake in Erath County.
• Big Pine Ranch – Listed and sold a stunning 1,023-acre ranch with a 30+/- acre lake in Henderson County.

These transactions set new benchmarks in their respective markets, underscoring the continued demand for high-quality Texas land. In addition to these significant sales, Hortenstine Ranch Company listed several other properties with large bodies of water and unique water features. As a result, HRC remains the go-to brokerage for landowners looking to buy or sell properties with substantial water assets. With extensive expertise in water-centric real estate, our team understands the complexities of these transactions and provides invaluable guidance to buyers and sellers navigating this niche market.

A Year of Challenges and Opportunities

Reflecting on the market dynamics, Broker and Partner Cash McWhorter shared his insights:

“This felt like a transitional year in many ways. A continued inventory shortage, higher interest rates, and an election year created volatility in the market, making it difficult to replicate 2023. It was a ‘keep your head down and work hard’ kind of year. We anticipate 2025 to be a rebound year from 2024. We’ve had our fastest start to the year over our previous five years, and inventory is trending upward. We expect momentum to build through summer and fall, leading to a strong finish by year-end.”

Despite market fluctuations, the team remained focused and adaptable, positioning themselves for what promises to be a strong year ahead.

Celebrating Excellence: Land Broker Awards

One of the highlights of the retreat is the announcement of company awards, recognizing top performers who have excelled in their roles.

Chance Turner was honored as Top Producer of the Year for his outstanding contributions and record-breaking sales. In previous years, Chance had been a top producer finalist, but this year, he secured the top honor in impressive fashion. Those who know Chance well recognize his relentless work ethic—he’s the first one in the office each day, hitting the ground running, and he never keeps anyone waiting. Time and again, testimonials from his clients highlight the same key themes: his deep knowledge of his territory, his invaluable industry expertise, and—above all—his unwavering character. Reflecting on his success, Chance remarked:

“I’d like to thank my colleagues at HRC, without them, me achieving this award would not have been possible. I’d also like to extend a special gratitude toward my clients. It’s a privilege to get to serve them in accomplishing their land goals.

2024 was an interesting year. Legacy ranches are still highly desired, and they are still moving if priced right. I personally had my best real estate year of my career in 2024. That was due to working with my sellers to understand the market and the importance of pricing, as well as identifying good opportunities on the market for my buyers, despite the overall market being somewhat stalled out.

As it relates to the overall market, it seemed to hit somewhat of a plateau in 2024. However, even in the current interest rate and market environment, I have not seen land prices dip. 2025 has started off with a bang. I anticipate interest rates to continue to come down, which should increase the buyer pool by pulling in buyers who have been on the sidelines. I am personally very bullish on Texas land. I expect land prices to continue their upward trend in terms of price appreciation. What a great state we have to operate in. It seems every time I look at the news, more businesses and people are relocating to Texas.”

Bret Polk was recognized as the Runner-Up for Top Producer Award. Based in Hico, Texas, Bret has been a six-time winner of the Top Producer of the Year award during his 12 years at HRC. His continued success year in and year out is a testament to his exceptional abilities and dedication to the ranch real estate industry. Bret has consistently delivered personalized service and upheld a high standard of integrity, earning the trust and admiration of his clients.

To wrap up the company awards, Casey Berley was honored for 10 years of service at HRC. Casey joined the team in 2014 and has been a huge asset to the company. He is well respected in the industry for his knowledge, preparedness, and professionalism. His honesty, integrity, and dedication have earned him the friendship of his clients. We are honored to have him on our team for 10 years and look forward to another decade of success with him.

Annual Fishing Tournament: A Competitive Tradition

Following the company awards and business meeting, agents and brokers enjoyed a spirited day of competition at the Annual Fishing Tournament. For the third consecutive year, the tournament was held on the private waters of Valley Lake Ranch, a premier property listed and sold by Hortenstine Ranch Company in 2021.

Spanning 2,245+/- acres, Valley Lake Ranch boasts a stunning private lake covering approximately 1,080+/- surface acres of pristine water. Renowned for its exceptional fishery, the lake once again delivered an exciting experience. In just one day of fishing, our team landed hundreds of Largemouth Bass.

This year’s fishing tournament champion, Chris Wengierski, took home a Benelli Super Black Eagle Shotgun as his prize. The runner-up, Justin Dubose, earned a Turtlebox Speaker—and, of course, well-deserved bragging rights.

Looking Ahead: Optimism for 2025

As we move forward, the momentum from early 2025 signals a promising year ahead. With an increasing inventory and potential shifts in interest rates, the market appears to be on the upswing. Our team at Hortenstine Ranch Company remains committed to providing exceptional service, identifying top-tier investment opportunities, and staying ahead of industry trends.

The Annual Spring Retreat is more than just a meeting—it’s a reaffirmation of our collective vision and passion for Texas land. Here’s to another successful year of growth, achievement, and setting new standards in the industry!