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Things to Consider When Buying Remote Alaska Property
Alaska is one of the most amazing places on earth and continues to inspire people from around the world to visit the pristine wilderness and breathtaking scenery. Alaska appeals to the extreme adventurer, outdoor enthusiast, and big game hunter; whether the inspiration comes from reading Jack London’s Call of the Wild or a trip to […]
2022 Land Real Estate Market Update
Two thousand twenty-two marks the 30th anniversary of Fay Ranches and ten years since we forged our Strategic Alliance with Republic Ranches. Thirty years certainly signifies our ability to weather some storms and grow with discipline. I feel like we’re just getting started, and I’m having more fun now than ever, thanks to the wonderful […]
Seasons of the Southeast
There are many ways to measure time. The days, weeks, and years seemingly continue to pass us by with increasing and unsuspecting swiftness. We often want time to stop, to hold memory and moment in our minds forever. Moments of being in the woods, on the water, and in the mountains bring a refreshing perspective […]
How to Prepare for a Backcountry Trip
One of the largest attractions to the Western United States is the vast acreage of land allocated for public use, including large tracts of state land, National Forest, regions managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and designated Wilderness Areas. Outdoor enthusiasts love camping on public lands with recreational vehicles and enjoy exploring them from […]
Wildfires Affecting Property Value
As I was writing this, the two largest wildfires in the history of New Mexico were burning. The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, just northeast of Santa Fe, and the Black Fire in the Gila National Forest were burning at a historic pace. According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, the Calf Canyon Fire/Hermit’s Peak Fire […]
An Epic Yukon River Adventure
Alaska offers some of the most extreme geographies in the United States and some of the most iconic features readily known around the world, such as Mt. McKinely, now known as Denali, the Bering Sea from the TV show Deadliest Catch, the Trans Alaska Pipeline, and the mythical Yukon River. The Yukon River headwaters originate […]
Living on a Montana Ranch
By John Anderson, Broker Associate, Licensed in MT, ID “What’s it really like to live on a ranch?” is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive from prospective clients. As a general rule, those who ask me this question are urban or semi-rural dwellers yearning to escape the rat race encroaching on and […]
Carbon, Climate, and Trees
By Troy Dana, Designated Broker, Licensed in WA, AK The Runaway Greenhouse Effect occurs when the planet produces more atmospheric carbon than it can absorb by either natural means or through manmade technology. Scientists, government agencies, corporations, and private citizens worldwide are working on solutions to prevent what is perceived by many as inevitable if […]
How Long Will This Market Last?
By Greg Fay, Founder | Broker, Licensed in MT It’s early September 2021 on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. I’m sitting on the porch at our ranch in Madison County, Montana. We’re baling our second cut of hay this week. I just took my two Llewelyn Setters for an upland bird hunt for Hungarian […]
Investment | Income Producing Ranches and Farms
Since the Great Recession and the advent of near-zero interest rates—and especially with the upheavals in securities markets wrought by the coronavirus pandemic—we encounter more and more buyers who are looking for income-producing ranches and farms. The buyers Fay Ranches works with have always wanted to know the expenses—taxes, insurance, lease fees, etc.—associated with ranches […]
What is a “Ranch”?
By Ken Bentz The term “ranch” has evolved over the years in the West as a whole, but it also has different meanings regionally. A ranch in Colorado is often a much different property than one in Eastern Oregon. The definition also changes the closer one gets to an urban area. The transformation of this […]
Invest in the American West | Why Idaho?
Idaho is still the unfound secret to the northwest, filled with a vast array of wild forests, snow-capped mountains, fertile soil, picturesque canyons, clear rivers, and plenty of public lands to enjoy in conjunction with your private. Sparsely populated, full of scenic wonders, and featuring world-class trout fishing and hunting, Idaho is an outdoor enthusiast’s […]
Determining Ranch Value
A blog by Jerry Hicks, Principal Broker, Licensed in OR Each ranch is as unique as a fingerprint. Acreage, live waters (rivers, creeks, lakes), Timberland, farm ground, location, efficiency, aesthetics, irrigation, recreational assets, and timing are just a few of the dimensions that come together to determine value! These are just some of the characteristics […]
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
An article written by Rick Kusel, published in Volume 4 of the Land Investor Jean-Jacques Rousseau said, “The first man who, having fenced in a piece of land, said “This is mine,” and found people naive enough to believe him, that man was the true founder of civil society.” Growing up with my grandparents on […]
Chihuahuan High Desert Ecosystem
By Bryan Pickens, Partner/Broker Associate, Republic Ranches Stretching from the Central Mexican Highlands to three states in the southwestern corner of the United States and covering nearly 175,000 square miles, the Chihuahuan Desert is the largest in North America. This stretch of land is a defining characteristic of the area around West Texas, southern New […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
