In the Hill Country, the land is only half the purchase. The other half is what's under it.
In-town Kerrville, Ingram, and Comfort addresses generally have municipal or community water. Step outside town limits and you're most likely on a private well drawing from Hill Country aquifers — which means the well's condition, depth, and yield are part of the property's value, whether or not the listing says so.
Drilling through limestone isn't cheap and isn't uniform. All-in — bore, casing, pump, pressure tank, trenching, electrical — plan on roughly $9k–$20k+ for a new domestic well, with depth the big swing factor. Wells near the river valley often hit water shallower; up on the Divide (Mountain Home, Harper direction) they run deeper and cost more. On raw land, get a neighboring-well depth report and a driller's estimate before you set your offer price.
Kerr County groundwater is managed by the Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District. Most single-family domestic and livestock wells qualify for simpler exempt registration; larger or commercial wells need real permits. Two practical takeaways: confirm any existing well is properly registered, and if your plans involve irrigation, multiple dwellings, or ag operations, talk to the district before closing. (Comfort falls under Kendall County's district; Harper under Gillespie's — county lines matter here.)
Drought-stage restrictions are a normal part of Hill Country life — watering schedules in town, and falling static water levels in wells during extended dry spells. Ask sellers about the well's behavior in 2022–23-style drought years; a well that never blinked is a genuine selling point.
We've walked this with dozens of buyers. Bring us the parcel — we'll tell you what to check and who to call.