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Land Investor Guide



Montana’s Migratory Grizzly Bears

By Michael DeShore, Licensed in MT LITTLE VALLEY RANCH COULD PROVIDE A VITAL GEOGRAPHIC LINK I recently attended a presentation at the University of Montana regarding the tracking of bears, and the biologist quipped: “Everyone visiting Montana heads to Yellowstone or Glacier with hopes of seeing a grizzly bear in person. If they really want […]

Keeping Property Exchanges Out Of The Crosshairs

Written by Max Hansen Imagine a six-point bull elk crashing through a thick stand of lodge-pole pine, a dove darting from a mesquite thicket, or attempting to cast into a riffle in the face of a mountain breeze.  They’re all moving targets you may have faced at times, so you can understand the quandary of […]

Fishing the Ruby River

By Greg Fay, Broker/Owner, Licensed in MT The Ruby River Ranch is located on a stretch of water that I’ve known intimately for the past 22 years.  When I began fishing it, it was a good fishery.  In the past 20 years, it has become a great fishery.  Upstream of the ranch are two spring […]

A Day on Meandering Flows River Ranch

A video blog by Vinny Delgado, Sales Associate, Licensed in MT I was sitting in the office on Thursday afternoon looking out the window more than I was looking at my computer screen.  My mind drifting to thoughts about my plans for the weekend; should I chase some roosters, cast a line, maybe go elk […]

Investing In Equine Properties: An Interview With Kate Gibson

By Clarke Watson As a lifetime horse enthusiast, it’s no coincidence that native Houstonian, Kate Gibson, specializes in brokering equestrian farms and ranches for Republic Ranches, a strategic alliance partner of Fay Ranches. She boasts an impressive equine background, having managed, trained, and competed in the industry for over more than 25 years. Currently, Kate […]

Livestock Grazing: A Tool For Diversity

By Lorie Woodward Cantu Diversity is a buzzword in the 21st-century ranching industry. Diverse populations of plants and animals signal ecologically healthy rangelands, and diverse, profitable enterprises signal an economically healthy operation. “Well-managed livestock grazing is a tool that allows land managers to achieve both ecological and economic goals,” says Steve Nelle, a San Angelo, […]

Don’t Kick The Cows Off: Recommendations For Ranch Buyers

By Bill Nutt When reviewing my insurance policies recently, I realized that we have owned our ranch near Twin Bridges, Montana for over a decade. Certainly that isn’t long enough to become an expert, but I have learned a few things I’d like to pass along to those considering a ranch purchase. Here’s a list […]

Investing In And Adding Value To Ranch Lands

By Clarke Watson The Western U.S. has a reputation for landscapes that are rich in rivers, mountains, and open space. But the American West is losing large chunks of land as landscapes are carved away to accommodate the urban sprawl and commercial development that affects many western cities. According to a study by the Center […]

Invest In Land Or Stuff A Mattress

As featured in Land Investor Magazine Vol. 1 Over the past seven years, investors have been notoriously careful with their cash flow, avoiding risk and staying cash-heavy. This is no surprise. Due to the economic crisis in 2008, many investors and wealthy individuals became more risk-averse with their portfolios and began saving money instead of […]

Finding Balance: Increasing Ranch Value by Managing for Elk

As featured in Land Investor Magazine Vol. 1 There’s a secret that ranch owners know out in the Mountain West: Creating wildlife habitat isn’t just good for your morning view; it also raises the value of your land. “Ranches that are managed with a sustainable agricultural plan have the added benefit of attracting wildlife, and […]

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) Helps Landowners Protect and Restore Key Land Assets

Protecting agricultural land assets just became easier for ranch buyers and owners when Agricultural Secretary, Tom Vilsack, announced on November 16, 2015, that $350 million will be available to help landowners protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands across the United States. The funding is provided through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), created […]

An Overview Of Texas Crop Production

For the farmers, ranchers, and investors out there who are interested in purchasing property in the Lone Star State, knowledge of crop production and market trends of that production plays an important factor in judging what land to buy and where. Landowners are dealing with a greater number of issues in the 21st century than […]

Agricultural Lease Rates: A Guide To Estimating Income Potential For Landowners

If you are a farm or ranch owner but farming or ranching is not your trade, you are not alone. Landowner demographics in many parts of the West have shifted toward non-operators, particularly in recent decades. If you are a non-operating owner or prospective owner, evaluating your property’s income potential requires an understanding of agricultural […]

Investing in Timber

By Dick Ludington, Veteran Land Broker Veteran Land Broker Dick Ludington joined Fay Ranches in 2014, bringing over 37 years of experience in timberland, conservation, and recreational land transaction knowledge for public and private agencies to our team. His understanding of timberland investment has involved the buying and selling of millions of acres from California […]

How To Buy A Ranch

By Greg Fay, Founder | Broker, Licensed in MT So, you’re thinking about buying a ranch? There are a few steps to keep in mind as you embark on this adventure—but let me back up a bit. I’ve been brokering ranchland since 1986 and founded Fay Ranches in 1992. In the beginning, Fay Ranches was […]