Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w. d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a . c o m 55 What WoulD you Say arE thE kEy ElEMEntS buyErS noW look for In a ranCh ProPErty? raICh Live water, water rights, adequate size acreage for in- tended use (crop cultivation, grazing, hunting, equestrian), good access, privacy, access to goods & services with good land management practices already in place. toDD Cash flow, location, carrying capacity in animal units and dollars per acre. JanSSEn Quality fishing, hunting, location, privacy, easy access, income, great views. What DoES thE PrESEnCE of SurfaCE WatEr on a ranCh Do to ItS ValuE? toDD Buyers see surface water as an attribute that will store value, even as commodity markets recede in the future. JanSSEn Great trout water certainly increases the price per acre, often causing it to double, triple or more. Typically any water feature will increase value significantly. raICh Generally, surface water is considered an amenity that increases the value of a property. Property with water carries a high premium and definitely increases buyer interest. Do you SEE any IMPaCt of ClIMatE ChangE on ranCh SalES? JanSSEn It may be adding to the value of irrigated farm land because producers see value in more consistent and predictable production. Drought leading to poorer production in other parts of the world could be helping our land values but that is hard to quantify. aS a ranCh rEaltor, What arE thE thrEE MoSt IMPortant thIngS you bElIEVE a ranCh buyEr ShoulD bE ConSIDErIng bEforE buyIng? JanSSEn #1, Narrow your search by price, area, size, and property use. #2, Build relationships that help to understand value, i.e. broker, appraiser. #3, Build relationships that help to enjoy and get maximum benefit from the ranch, i.e. habi- tat and stream consultants, farm and ranch managers, area conservation groups, and an accountant experienced with all the benefits of ranch ownership. raICh Location, size, intended use/lifestyle. toDD Buyers who enjoy their properties seem to have entered the search with a clear understanding of what they want. What area and what type of ranch are critical questions to answer. And don't forget cash flow, location, carrying capacity in animal units and dollars per acre. T r a d i t i o n , S t r e n g t h , & B e a u t y www.bigskypostandbeam.com 406-446-1582 B u i l d i n g D r e a m s

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