Classic Western Americana

Imagine kicking your feet up on your porch and looking out over dozens of acres of rolling hills as elk graze and the sun melts into the horizon. When buying ranch real estate, you get to write your future lifestyle by the choices you make. How do you want your ranch to function? What recreational activities do you want to enjoy? Is this the right place for you to create lasting memories with your friends and family? Whether you’re buying a condo in the city or a 1,000-acre ranch, real estate has always been about location, location, location. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when investing in a ranch, but the benefits outweigh the risks as long as the proper research is done to ensure you buy the right piece of ranch land for you.

Private Fishing and Hunting

If your ideal way to unwind is with a fly rod in hand in the middle of a freestone trout stream with a healthy population of fish, then it’s important to consider certain elements like water rights, water quality, water flow during high and dry years, other people and livestock upstream, and your ability to make stream improvements for angling.

For hunters, considerations like wildlife migration patterns, hunting licenses, nearby neighbors, and topography should all be considered to ensure safe and sustainable hunting practices. These are just a couple examples of the many ways you can pick the right property and maximize your investment.

Getting Back to Nature

In our technologically driven world where life moves fast, there’s no better way to create a family legacy than by taking time to preserve a ranch for future generations. Ranches create an endless playground for children where they can learn how to help work the land and enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities in a safe haven. Investing in a legacy ranch means that your children’s children will have the same unique opportunity to learn, grow and connect with the land you call home. Ranches are a space for reunions, weddings and get togethers where the entire family can have their own space, yet be close enough to one another to create lifelong memories. These multi-generational spaces can be full of historical significance, natural resources, and wildlife.

A Wise Investment

According to brokers and money managers, ranch real estate can be a smart place to invest money. When you have a large piece of land, your closest neighbors are miles away and you have privacy along with views as expansive as the majestic mountains that surround you. The typical ranch is a parcel of land big enough to raise a specialized heard of livestock that feed off the pasture. But not all ranches are working ranches. Avid snow sports enthusiasts might want to look at properties near the ski resorts or even with private ski hills, while hunters and fishermen will want to invest in property with a stream running through it. Someone contemplating purchasing a ranch should also consider the tax advantages related to the property. Having a minimal working production can qualify you for tax write-offs to increase the financial value of your investment. Historically, land has been a great hedge against inflation. Having a tangible asset in comparison to an investment like stocks is a great way to diversify your portfolio. And above all, the scenery makes it all worthwhile.

Tonahutu Creek Ranch - American Homestead Legacy Ranch

Nestled on the doorstep of Rocky Mountain National Park, Tonahutu Creek Ranch is a sportsman’s paradise, featuring meadows, creeks, beaver ponds, and a wide diversity of wildlife. If creating memories with friends and family is your goal, consider the amenity-packed High Plains Ranch, which offers secluded spaces, a main lodge, saloon, and party barn perfect for gatherings. The nearby Kremmling airport provides easy access to the 6,900-acre ranch. Equestrian enthusiasts love the panoramic views of the Continental Divide from the 75-acre Dusty Diamond Ranch in the Crooked Creek Valley.

Smart investors fill their portfolios with ranch and farm land. Billionaire and owner of professional sports teams, Stan Kroenke owns nearly a million acres of land, including one of the largest cattle ranches in the U.S. The fifth generation Reed family, who owns 1.3 million acres of forests in California and Washington celebrated their success by planting their 100-millionth tree. John Malone, one of the biggest names in the cable industry is the largest landowner in the country at 2.2 million acres. Not all ranches are meant to be used exclusively as a haven for relaxation. CNN founder Ted Turner owns 2 million acres across seven states and is also the owner of the world’s largest private herd of bison that he sells to his restaurants, Ted’s Montana Grill.

More than Just Pasture, Many Ranches are Rich in Mineral Resources

As oil and gas tycoons enter the market, a key decision factor includes resources lying underneath a property. Agricultural land has also seen an increase in value, especially as food prices rise. When determining location, having access to water, electricity, and sewer or septic are all considerations to account for, as are gas, mineral and water rights. Take note of land elevation, how a property is zoned, easements, seasonal weather changes, if snow will restrict access, and of course proximity to the nearest town or city, along with schools, shopping, restaurants, and hospitals. Once you prioritize your wants and needs, determine your budget, as well as geographic location, and then it’s time to begin your search.

The key is to become deeply knowledgeable about a property so you can make an informed decision. Whether you already own land or it’s your first time purchasing a ranch, the experience of the experts at Ranch Sellers will help guide you to achieving your goal of buying the ranch of your dreams. Contact us today, and allow us to present you with some great ranch options.

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