Journal

Back Roads Journal

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.

What Is Happening in the East Texas Real Estate Market Right Now?October 2, 2026
Rates near 7%, flat home prices, and a standoff in the land market. Here is where East Texas real estate stands this fall and what it means for buyers and sellers.
Why Mineola, Texas Is Worth More Than a Drive ThroughOctober 2, 2026
A few places in Mineola, Texas worth your time: the restored 1906 depot, the historic downtown, the 1920 Select Theater, and the 2,911 acre Nature Preserve.
Why rural land in East Texas holds value better than most people thinkSeptember 30, 2026
Most people chasing real estate returns head straight for residential. Houses, rentals, something with a roof on it. What gets overlooked, especially in the current market, is rural land. Specifically smaller parcels in the 5 to 50 acre range in… Read more: Why rural land in East Texas holds value better than most people think
Building a Retaining Wall at the Pine Mills HouseMay 29, 2026
We perched the Pine Mills house up on a hill, and the lot had more slope than we thought. This week we built a retaining wall.
Time for a Storm ShelterMay 8, 2026
After two tornadoes passed over in one month, it was time for a storm shelter. An in ground shelter that holds eight, installed in a garage floor.
A New Water Well at the Pine Mills ProjectMay 1, 2026
Fouke Water Supply quoted $25,000 for a water line. Bird’s Water Well drilled to 268 feet for about $15,000. Notes from the Pine Mills project.
Moving a Little Frame House to Pine MillsMarch 6, 2026
Got a good deal on a little frame house two miles from Pine Mills and moved it to my land. It took a dozer to get it up the hill.
about.meMarch 13, 2022
https://about.me/gregmckinney