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Land Investor Guide
5 Things All Landowners Should Know About Renewable Energy Opportunities
In 1820 the United States Government started selling publicly held land for $1.25 per acre. This event allowed citizens in urban areas new opportunities, but buying land in unsettled areas was only practical for some. Later, Congress was urged to offer free land to encourage more settlement in these unestablished regions. The Homestead Act was […]
Selling Your Ranch: How to Prepare and What to Expect
My career in selling land began in 1986, and I founded Fay Ranches in 1992. Over the years, I’ve been involved in some of the most significant land transactions in several states, including farms, ranches, timber, and plantations. I’ve seen and learned a few things over the years. This article will hopefully help you understand […]
How to Grow Sustainable Profit Through Analyzing Ranch Performance
In late August 2021, as the world settled into the bottom half of the Covid pandemic, the sale of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card in near-perfect condition grabbed headlines when it sold for a staggering $12,600,000.00, making it the largest amount ever paid for a piece of sports memorabilia. In my last article, […]
How to Build Wealth by Renovating and Upgrading Ranches
Renovating residential homes has been a hot topic for many years. Television has promoted the process of upgrading real estate through multiple shows across several networks. However, did you know upgrading and renovating farm and ranch properties has also become popular? The rising price of agricultural land has made it difficult for the average producer […]
Grasslands CRP Program
It was once said, “The best thing about the land is the landscape.” A good point, but what is also very rewarding is an additional return on your investment through special programs designed to protect and preserve that landscape. Many landowners are unaware of ongoing incentives for maintaining or enhancing certain portions of their property, […]
Succession Planning
To Sell or Not to Sell? After decades of ownership, generations of family succession, years of toil, blood, sweat, and tears, drought, floods, fires, depression, great successes, failures, and everything in between, you now have arrived at the point of needing to create a plan that guides the future for your ranch and your family […]
Browse Ranching
Through my years of ranch real estate, one thing that has become very apparent is the expectations of what a cattle ranch should look like in the eyes of a buyer. Most buyers picture waves of knee-high grass, lush, irrigated hay meadows, mountains of stored hay, and live water running through the ranch. Although this […]
Seasons of the Southeast – Spring
Winter in the Southeast always leaves us wanting more, one more duck hunt in that flooded corn field or timber bottom, one more chase in the field where geese feed, one more day at duck camp with friends and family. Snow goose season still lingers, while quail season is over, and the weather is warming. […]
Regenerative Grazing 101
What is regenerative grazing? Regenerative grazing is the practice of using grazing animals to regenerate the land. To regenerate something means to regrow or bring new and more vigorous life to an area. Historically this word has been used by biologists to describe the process of regrowing or regenerating tissues and by urban planners to […]
Is the Show Yellowstone Real? – Ask Vinny
Dear Vinny – Have you watched the show Yellowstone? Do you feel like more people are moving to Montana because of the show? The show never shows winter. Do you have winter in Montana? – Hollywood is confusing
Top 10 Things to Consider When Purchasing a Horse Property
Prior to being a broker with Fay Ranches, I spent a ridiculous amount of time around horses. I mean a lot. My mother has been training and breeding horses for over fifty years, and our family tree has many generations with strong ties to the equine industry. The first thirty-three years of my life were […]
Ownership Opportunities – Ask Vinny
Dear Vinny, I am looking to purchase a large piece of property and want to not only cultivate the current aspects of the property but add value to the land. What projects can I tackle to add value to my property? Are there some projects that will add more value than others? – Adding to […]
Rhythm of a River
Three Ways to Become a Successful Angler Have you ever fished with someone who you consider to be “fishy”? I’m talking about the angler who is just different; the angler who always knows where to go, when to go there, and meets with success. Of the many characteristics of a “fishy” person, perhaps the most […]
Maximizing Your Timber Investment
For a timber owner, the decision to harvest is frequently a function of timing and often catalyzed by factors such as the economy, age of the timber, log markets, leverage and, on occasion, naturally occurring events such as infestation, drought, or fire. There are undoubtedly many more factors not mentioned here that would impact a […]
Wind Energy Development Considerations for Landowners
WINDS OF CHANGE As wind turbines begin to line the horizon among America’s heartland, many rural landowners are being approached with an opportunity to lease their land for wind energy development. Anyone that has an operational wind farm on their property knows the income can mean stability and passive income for decades. However, some landowners […]
We Bought a Ranch! Now What?
How to Draft a Ranch Management Plan in Five Steps You have spent years earning, planning, and shopping for a ranch, now that you own it, what should you do next? Your ranch dream may have been inspired by a family trip out west, a childhood cowboy fantasy, or a desire to invest in land, […]
Why Should I List My Property Before Spring?
Thinking of listing your ranch, farm, recreation, or luxury property this spring? Here are 5 reasons why now is the right time to do it! Listing now will position you ahead of the competition. Historically, spring has been considered “listing season,” but if the last two years have taught us anything, nothing is normal or […]
Four Things You Need to Know About Landowner Tags in Montana
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Rob Arnaud, who is finishing his 8th year on the Montana Board of Outfitters and is arguably the most knowledgeable resource in Montana regarding the application process for Montana Big Game hunting licenses and special permits. During our discussion, we thoroughly explored the options that Montana […]
Navigating a 1031 Exchange
Selling a farm or a ranch, like selling any business, often involves many different types of assets. The transaction may include equipment, livestock, water rights, crops, inventory, and, of course, real estate. Investors interested in selling a farm or ranch using a like-kind exchange under Internal Revenue Code §1031 should focus on the particular property […]
Why Invest in Land: Advice from a Montana Ranch Broker
As an educated investor, you know that proper asset allocation is essential to portfolio diversification, and of course, real estate has always been a mainstay of a well-balanced portfolio. However, the recreational, agricultural, or working land niche market has only recently gained attention as an alternative to more traditional real estate assets. For decades, recreation […]
Skijoring in Wyoming
It doesn’t matter if you have lived in Wyoming for 50 years or if you just moved to town, winter can leave you with cabin fever. The cold winds leave you wondering what entertainment may be available. If this is you, let me recommend a weekend watching Skijoring. There are several events around the state […]
