About

Hi, I'm Lauren Byington, the face behind Hill Country Insider.

Why I Started This Site

After years as a public school teacher and later as a business owner, I transitioned into real estate and became licensed in both Missouri and Texas.

What I discovered along the way was something that frustrated me deeply: too many people were making major life decisions about moving to rural areas without really understanding what they were getting into.

I'd watch families fall in love with the idea of country living (and homesteading!) only to struggle with the realities. Or I'd see folks overpay for land because they didn't know the local market, the quirks of well water, or what questions to ask about mineral rights...

As someone who actually lives this lifestyle in rural Texas—with animals, land, and all the joys and challenges that come with it—I felt called to bridge that gap.

What We're About

Hill Country Insider exists to give you the real story. Not the glossy magazine version of country living, but the honest, practical insights you need to make informed decisions. Whether you're considering your first acreage purchase, looking to upgrade your homestead, or just dreaming about ranch life, I want you to have access to the same knowledge I share with my real estate clients.

This isn't about selling you anything (though yes, I'm a licensed real estate agent if you need one!). It's about sharing what I've learned through my own journey from teacher to entrepreneur to country property specialist. The media attention from Forbes, Business Insider, and Homes & Gardens (among others!) has been wonderful, but what really drives me is knowing I can and do help others (and they help me! I've met so many wonderful people in Hill Country!).

My Promise to You

Every piece of content here comes from real experience—mine, my clients', and the incredible network of folks I've met along the way. I believe that when people make informed decisions about Hill Country property and lifestyle, everyone wins. People and families get what they actually want in terms of property and lifestyle, communities stay connected, and the land gets the stewardship it deserves.

Welcome to Hill Country Insider!