$1,097,000

Virtually Staged. This exceptional 43+ acre lakefront estate on Lake Mason offers a rare opportunity to own a private North Florida retreat surrounded by natural beauty. With extensive shoreline along the lake, the property provides an ideal setting for boating, swimming, fishing, and year-round outdoor recreation while enjoying peaceful water views. The home is designed to capture the landscape with soaring cathedral ceilings and dramatic three-story windows that bring in abundant natural light and frame the lake and forest beyond. The spacious layout includes five bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a bathroom conveniently located on each level. The open kitchen and living area create a welcoming central gathering space and flow directly to large first- and second-floor decks overlooking the lake, offering excellent outdoor living areas for relaxing, entertaining, and taking in the surrounding scenery. A beautiful built-in fireplace provides warmth and character during cooler months, while the private dock allows easy access for boating, jet skis, and other water activities. The land itself is truly distinctive. Much of the acreage consists of native longleaf pine forest, one of the Southeast’s most important and increasingly rare ecosystems. Longleaf pine forests once dominated the southeastern coastal plain but now remain only in limited areas due to development and historic harvesting. These forests support a unique ecological community and provide valuable habitat for native wildlife. The property’s healthy forest canopy and proximity to the lake create excellent conditions for wildlife and native plants. Sightings may include bald eagles, sandhill cranes, fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, and other native species, making the land particularly appealing for outdoor recreation, hunting, birdwatching, and nature observation. Recent improvements include new Hardie board siding, a rebuilt composite deck, updated deck handrails, new Andersen windows in the bedrooms and kitchen, new kitchen appliances, and a refurbished and extended dock, enhancing both comfort and functionality. The property has been actively stewarded through responsible forest management practices and participation in agricultural and conservation efforts that support the longleaf ecosystem. Professional forestry management and controlled burns have helped maintain the health of the forest while reducing wildfire risk and encouraging native plant growth. Located just minutes from Melrose and Keystone Heights, and within an easy commute to Gainesville and the University of Florida, the property offers a rare balance of privacy, natural surroundings, and convenient access to nearby communities. This unique lakefront property combines acreage, water access, and a rare native forest ecosystem, creating exceptional possibilities for recreation, retreat, or private estate living.