Back Roads Journal

Land, old houses, and life in East Texas

Greg McKinney of Mineola, Texas, standing beside his white pickup

For several decades I have been buying, fixing up, and selling real estate in East Texas, mostly rural land and older houses that deserve a second chance.

For years I have wanted to keep a record of the work I do and the places I see around East Texas, mostly for myself and my family. I never made the time, and I was never a fan of Facebook. Now AI does the work and makes it very easy, so here it is.

You will find house projects, land work, small towns, good food, what I am seeing in the market, and maybe an old Chevy truck or two. The Journal is the running log. Thanks for stopping by.

Greg McKinney, Mineola, Texas

Recent Journal Entries

Market Pulse: Rates Jump, Lumber Stays CheapOctober 9, 2026
What Is Happening in the East Texas Real Estate Market Right Now?October 2, 2026
Why Mineola, Texas Is Worth More Than a Drive ThroughOctober 2, 2026

See the full Journal

House in Lindale, Texas

Houses We’ve Brought Back

Lindale, Texas house before remodeling, back porch and deck — The photos above showcase a home that underwent a dramatic transformation during our remodeling project. The property had been uninhabited for many years, and required extensive work to restore it to its former glory. We faced numerous challenges, including replacing the roof, windows, and rewiring the entire house. We also tackled exterior issues such as rotten wood and overgrown brush that obscured the house from view. Our team of approximately 10 skilled workers worked tirelessly for three months to achieve the remarkable results you see in the photos at the top of this page. With new cabinets, flooring, HVAC system, and fresh coats of paint both inside and out, the home now exudes charm and character. We are proud to have breathed new life into this property and helped restore it to its full potential. Greg McKinney, Mineola, TX

Lindale, Texas house before remodeling, side view with garage — The photos above showcase a home that underwent a dramatic transformation during our remodeling project. The property had been uninhabited for many years, and required extensive work to restore it to its former glory. We faced numerous challenges, including replacing the roof, windows, and rewiring the entire house. We also tackled exterior issues such as rotten wood and overgrown brush that obscured the house from view. Our team of approximately 10 skilled workers worked tirelessly for three months to achieve the remarkable results you see in the photos at the top of this page. With new cabinets, flooring, HVAC system, and fresh coats of paint both inside and out, the home now exudes charm and character. We are proud to have breathed new life into this property and helped restore it to its full potential. Greg McKinney, Mineola, TX

Old rental house in East Texas before cleanup and paint — This house had been a rental for years and needed a deep cleaning before anything else. It had also been through foreclosure, so nothing had been updated or repaired in a long time. What drew me in was the roof line and the front porch. Inside, it had 9 foot ceilings and trim work you just do not see in newer homes. We kept the exterior trim close to its original color, but getting the old, flaking green paint off took hours of scraping and prep. Seeing it finished made every hour worth it. Old, well built houses like this one are my favorite kind to work on, because there is something special about bringing them back. Greg McKinney, Mineola, Texas

Same rental house after fresh paint and cleanup — This house had been a rental for years and needed a deep cleaning before anything else. It had also been through foreclosure, so nothing had been updated or repaired in a long time. What drew me in was the roof line and the front porch. Inside, it had 9 foot ceilings and trim work you just do not see in newer homes. We kept the exterior trim close to its original color, but getting the old, flaking green paint off took hours of scraping and prep. Seeing it finished made every hour worth it. Old, well built houses like this one are my favorite kind to work on, because there is something special about bringing them back. Greg McKinney, Mineola, Texas

Two story house on three acres in Mineola, Texas — This two story house sits on three acres in Mineola. When we found it, it had been through foreclosure and sat empty for two years. The inside was filthy, and the walls were still covered in early 1990s wallpaper, which took a lot of patience to strip. Outside, the lot was so overgrown you could not see the house from the road, and it took weeks just to clear the brush. Start to finish, the project took four months. Once it was done, the house and the land around it finally showed what they were worth, and it sold quickly. Greg McKinney, Mineola, Texas

Two story house in Mineola, Texas, during the remodel — This two story house sits on three acres in Mineola. When we found it, it had been through foreclosure and sat empty for two years. The inside was filthy, and the walls were still covered in early 1990s wallpaper, which took a lot of patience to strip. Outside, the lot was so overgrown you could not see the house from the road, and it took weeks just to clear the brush. Start to finish, the project took four months. Once it was done, the house and the land around it finally showed what they were worth, and it sold quickly. Greg McKinney, Mineola, Texas

Brick ranch house in East Texas after a cosmetic makeover — The remodeling project above was a simple cosmetic makeover, and a good reminder that not every house needs a full gut job. This one was a foreclosure that had been neglected for a while. We focused on the essentials: fresh paint inside and out and new flooring throughout. We also enclosed the carport with a garage door, which gave the front of the house a clean, finished look. Sometimes paint, floors, and one smart upgrade are all it takes to make a tired house feel like home again. Greg McKinney from Mineola, Texas

Brick ranch house in East Texas before the makeover, overgrown yard — The remodeling project above was a simple cosmetic makeover, and a good reminder that not every house needs a full gut job. This one was a foreclosure that had been neglected for a while. We focused on the essentials: fresh paint inside and out and new flooring throughout. We also enclosed the carport with a garage door, which gave the front of the house a clean, finished look. Sometimes paint, floors, and one smart upgrade are all it takes to make a tired house feel like home again. Greg McKinney from Mineola, Texas

Neglected Mineola, Texas house before remodeling, overgrown yard — This Mineola house had been left to decay for years, but it was still in great shape structurally. The biggest change was the pool. We spent days draining it and clearing out the moss by hand, then power washed it, sanded it, and painted the walls with a paint made for swimming pools. It turned out great. Greg McKinney, Mineola, Texas

Green, neglected swimming pool before the remodel — This Mineola house had been left to decay for years, but it was still in great shape structurally. The biggest change was the pool. We spent days draining it and clearing out the moss by hand, then power washed it, sanded it, and painted the walls with a paint made for swimming pools. It turned out great. Greg McKinney, Mineola, Texas

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