If you've been waiting for an affordable way into Lake Palestine living, this new 2026 build in Frankston is worth a look at $329,000, without the price tag that comes with waterfront. It sits on roughly half an acre at 281 ACR 308. Three bedrooms, two baths, and a few minutes from the Deep End public boat ramp, so you've got year-round access to a 25,560-acre lake that's known for its fishing.
You get the lake and a brand-new house, minus the taxes and upkeep that come with owning land right on the water. I've been selling around Lake Palestine for 12+ years, and I've watched a lot of buyers stretch their budget for direct waterfront. I'm glad to see more of them finding this stretch of the south end instead. Here's what the home gives you, what being near the ramp means day to day, and why this part of Frankston deserves a serious look.
What's inside the new construction
Walk in the front door and you're in an open living and dining area that works just as well for a regular Tuesday as it does for a lake weekend. The kitchen has granite countertops, custom cabinets, and a farmhouse sink. On an older house, those are upgrades you'd be paying for later. Here they come standard.
The split-bedroom floor plan keeps the main living area quiet and gives the primary suite its own side of the house. That suite has a soaking tub, a separate walk-in shower, and a walk-in closet. It feels like a place to unwind, not an afterthought.
The attached two-car garage keeps your vehicles out of the weather, and the covered back porch is where morning coffee and evening grilling happen. At 1,575 square feet, the layout doesn't waste space. Three bedrooms, two full baths, and every room earns its keep.
Since it was built in 2026, this is true new construction, not a remodel hiding old problems. That matters in the first year. A new roof, new HVAC, and new plumbing mean fewer surprise repairs, which keeps your cost of owning it low compared to an older lake house.
How the location fits lake life
The floor plan is nice. The location is the real reason to buy it. 281 ACR 308 sits near the south end of Lake Palestine, close to the Deep End public boat ramp. From Tyler, take Texas 155 south to Frankston, turn east on US 175 for 3.5 miles, then turn left on FM 1892 to the ramp at the west end of the dam.
The ramp is two lanes, handles boats of all sizes, and charges no launch fee. That free access is the practical heart of this listing. You can put a boat in on a weekday afternoon without paying for a marina slip, and the mild East Texas winters keep the lake usable most of the year.
Direct waterfront costs more up front, and the insurance, taxes, and shoreline upkeep keep adding up after you move in. If you're still weighing what kind of water you want to live on, I wrote about cove versus open water on Lake Palestine. For a lot of buyers, though, living a few minutes from the ramp gets them the lake they actually use at a much lower carrying cost.
What the lake gives you beyond a place to launch
Lake Palestine covers 25,560 acres, about 40 square miles, with 135 miles of shoreline. It runs roughly 18 miles from Chandler down to near Frankston. White bass run up the Neches River and Kickapoo Creek every spring. Channel and blue catfish are plentiful, and flatheads can get big.
If fishing isn't your thing, there's skiing, houseboating, camping, and canoeing, plus hiking and biking trails around the lake. Each community around the water has its own feel, and my Lake Palestine neighborhoods guide walks through them one by one.
Why the Frankston side deserves a closer look
If you're torn between direct waterfront and something like this, run the numbers. Waterfront insurance, erosion control, and higher property taxes come around every year. A newer home off the water skips most of that and still keeps you a short drive from the ramp.
This stretch of Frankston makes sense as a first lake home, a place to retire, or a weekend getaway. I'd be glad to show you why in person.
Come see it for yourself
A brand-new home this close to a lake like this, at $329,000, doesn't come along often. It's worth the drive to see it.
I'm happy to walk you through the house, answer questions about the area, or put you in touch with a lender. If you want a feel for the payment first, try my mortgage calculator. When you're ready, fill out my quick buyer questionnaire so I know what you're after, or call or text me at 903-724-2338 to set up a private showing.
Some property photos have been virtually staged or digitally enhanced. Price and availability are subject to change, so reach out for the most current details.
Charlene Hall, Your East TX Realtor®
903-724-2338 (call or text)
Brokered By: Palestine Realty
Selling Real Estate with Heart
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!