A ranch outside of Dallas filled with exotic animals has a new owner after being listed for over $16 million.
Dallas-based brokerage Icon Global announced the sale of the property known as the Karns Ranch earlier this week. Along with hundreds of acres of land, the new owner will be the custodian of exotic animals that roam the property.
While the Karns Ranch was listed for $16.4 million, the final sale price has not been disclosed. However, Icon CEO Bernard Uechtritz says the property sold for an amount far above its appraised value.
“We are excited to announce that we’ve successfully sold the stunning Karns Ranch well above appraised value!!” Icon posted on Instagram on March 18.
“It’s no surprise this exceptional property captured the attention of multiple buyers and multiple offers.”
The 820-acre property is about an hour and a half drive southeast of Dallas and roughly 20 minutes from Athens, south of U.S. 175. Icon says the property is ideal for fishing and recreational activity.
The acreage boasts four spring-fed fishing lakes, including one 40 acres in size and 28 feet in depth. The property also includes horse riding and ATV trails and a log cabin. The ranch, which has existed since the 1800s, was previously owned by Dallas native and restaurant entrepreneur Mike Karns.
What truly sets this property apart are the existing tenants. At any given time, the grounds are filled with axis deer, buffaloes, and even zebras. Fortunately for the new owner, high fencing is already in place to keep the animals and wildlife within property lines.
“I love being able to get in the car after a stressful week and just drive out to the ranch and be able to decompress, to be able to see all the wonderful animals out there. … The zebra and the buffalo and the axis deer … it’s just a wonderful getaway,” Karns said in a video on the Icon listing, per KENS5.