Wyoming Real Estate Buying Tips

Whether you are buying your first home or looking for a new house, ranch, land or lot to develop on, it is important to be informed before purchasing Wyoming real estate. Today’s real estate market is very different now than it was before the recession.

Before you shop:

The process of starting to look for a new property can be really exhilarating. This is especially true if the property purchase will involve moving to a new location. When purchasing a ranch property, if you plan to make it your permanent residence, could also signal in a new way of life.

That being said, it’s important to get your ducks in a row prior to getting serious about pulling the trigger on a ranch purchase or any large piece of real estate. This usually involves talking to your accountant for an overview of the current state of your finances. Your accountant will let you know how much you can realistically afford for a down payment and how much debt you can take on. Getting pre-approved for your desired loan is also a good idea.

From a practical standpoint, figuring out the area of Wyoming that gives you the most desired lifestyle is important too. Do you want to be close to a city or secluded? Do you want to just live at the property or run a business from it? Figuring this out early will make the searching a buying process smoother.

Before you purchase:

Making your offer competitive is the best advantage you can have before actually making the purchase. Once you have found the home, ranch, or plot of land you love, it is important to keep yourself competitive through the buying process. This means making a substantial deposit and minimizing the number of contingencies. Another important thing to do before actually making a purchase is to inspect the property and check zoning regulations. You want to make sure that you know exactly what you are buying and don’t have any unexpected surprises.

Probably the most important thing to do before agreeing to a purchase of new real estate is to get all agreements in writing. Verbal agreements are not set in stone. Just because somebody makes you a promise does not mean it will hold legal value. This can especially be true when buying a ranch, which tends to be a more complicated purchase with more moving parts than a traditional home. Make sure any agreement is put into writing to protect yourself and the property you are agreeing to buy.

Once it’s yours:

Wyoming real estate offers so many benefits that you can’t and won’t find anywhere else. Wyoming is the least populated state in the country, providing peace and quiet to get away from it all. There are many uses for real estate in the state of Wyoming; from hunting, hiking, agriculture, camping and more. Whether you plan to leave the property untouched, build or buy a ranch, or start a business on your property, purchasing real estate is in Wyoming is a sound investment. And regardless of what you plan to do with your real estate, you can be at ease knowing that Wyoming real estate is the gift that keeps on giving.

What Determines the Value of Ranches in Nebraska?

It isn’t very difficult to determine the value of a home. How old is it? Was it renovated recently? What neighborhood is it in? You can basically check off the boxes and easily figure out what it is worth. But determining the worth of a ranch or land is a bit more difficult. If you are in the market and looking at ranches in Nebraska, it’s important to understand what determines the value of it.

Location

Location is an important factor of value no matter where you are looking to buy. It’s especially important when it comes to purchasing a ranch or a plot of land. How close or how far the ranch is to the nearest town or city goes a long way in determining the worth of the land itself. For instance, the closer a ranch or a plot of land is to developing cities, the more expensive the land tends to be. While you may want your ranch to be away from quickly developing cities, this can prove inconvenient when it comes to everyday life. Then again, many people don’t move to a ranch for convenience.

Land Quality

The quality of the land, or the soil, also goes a long way in determining the price of ranchland in Nebraska. Different types of soil serve different purposes and tend to drive value up or down for ranches, especially those used for agriculture. Certain soil types, such as loamy soil, are great for growing crops as it is full of nutrients and can be used to grow a variety of crops. Sandy or grainy soil has almost no value when it comes to trying to grow crops but would be better for raising livestock. Knowing the quality and growability of the soil not only helps to determine the value of a ranch property, but can help you as a buyer as well. If you intend to raise livestock, for instance, you can save money by not purchasing a ranch with good soil quality.

Wildlife Population

If you are looking for a hunting ranch, you’ll want to pay attention to the amount of wildlife surrounding and on the property itself. The value of the ranch can be directly influenced by the type and amount of wildlife. For instance, you can save yourself a lot of money by purchasing a hunting ranch with very little evidence of wildlife – though it may not be worth the savings because it can take a lot of effort to establish a thriving wildlife population yourself. On the other hand, the value of the ranch and surrounding property may be extremely high if there happens to be a thriving wildlife population.

Access

Although you are probably searching for rural farmland for sale, there’s a good chance you’d like to be able to easily access your land. Usually, a plot of land for sale with easy and legal access will be more expensive than a farm that is in the middle of nowhere and has no public access. While there are cost benefits to having an isolated ranch, it sometime can make the upkeep and livability of the ranch inconvenient.

Buying Kansas Ranch Real Estate – What to Expect for Your Money

Purchasing Kansas ranch real estate is an enticing financial venture and is a valuable asset to a number of different buyers for a number of different reasons. Yes, it is true that purchasing any kind of land in Kansas can be a complicated investment, but as history suggests, it is also a very rewarding investment over time. There are many variables to consider when buying ranch land in Kansas and it is highly recommended that you work with a professional with expertise within the state to assist you.

Historically, ranch land in Kansas has appreciated at a rate of over 8% per year. There are some years when the growth is even higher and there has rarely ever been a time where the value of the land has depreciated. Kansas land is suitable for all types of ranch needs including crops, livestock, recreation, hunting, and wildlife, making this land extremely valuable at all times. This alone means if you practice due diligence, ranch land in the state of Kansas is always a smart investment.

The following are things to consider before purchasing Kansas ranch real estate:

Price Per Acre

One of the most common ways to evaluate properties relative to the specific area is price per acre. If you are interested in purchasing ranch land, price per acre gives you an idea of what property could be valued at specific to the region you plan to purchase your land in. Although this is a common variable in the ranch buying process, it should not be the sole determining factor in your buying decision. Remember, no two land tracts are the same.

Location

The values of land in Kansas range from $1,175 per acre in some regions to over $4,000 per acre in other regions of the state. In the most productive crop and grazing land areas of the state, the price per acre is typically higher than lower producing areas of the state that experience less annual rainfall.

Scarcity

As will all markets in any business sector, supply and demand rule the economics of land. Making new land is impossible and is the main reason that land continues to increase in value. Land that is near population centers is more valuable than urban land due to their proximity to more populated areas.

What to expect for your money?

Average price per acre for all different types of land (grazing, crop, recreation) varies on many different factors but usually is determined by the value of the area you are looking in:

South East Kansas: $2,400

North East Kansas: $ 4,100

South Central Kansas: $ 2,200

North Central Kansas: $ 2,475

South West Kansas: $ 1,175

North West Kansas: $ 1,725

Always remember that land values fluctuate based on the market and how productive and active the land is as well. If you are considering buying Kansas ranch land, it is suggested to find a professional to help you get the best land for your individual needs and at the most cost efficient price.

Advantages of Owning Hunting Ranches in Colorado

Colorado is simply magnificent and should be top of the list for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. There are so many recreational activities on offer, while the stunningly diverse land is home to vast amounts of big game and other wildlife.

Elk, mule deer, moose, and black bear are just some of the big game species which can be found in large numbers in various parts of the state. It is, therefore, no wonder that huntsmen find it hard to avoid the pull of the West when many properties have so many species of big game wandering through the land. This is just one of the advantages that hunting ranches in Colorado can have for prospective owners.

More Elk Than People

While the statement above may be an exaggeration when you take the state as a whole, but there are large tracts of land where this is most definitely the case.

If you are looking for world-class elk hunting, then you should look no further than Colorado. The state is home to the largest population in the whole of the US, with a herd of well over 250,000. Even if you are not an active hunter, the sheer volume of elk that travel through numerous properties make them an attractive proposition for business-minded landowners, or simply to enjoy as nature lovers.

Over the counter tags are readily available, but there are different rules to follow in different parts of state regarding the harvesting of elk.

Active Role in Maintaining the Land

Many ranch owners in Colorado are the custodians of a rich legacy which has been cultivated over many generations. In recent years, there have been many successful initiatives to help many local species of big game flourish, after years of overhunting and poor management. Ask anyone who has participated in one of these initiatives and they will tell you how rewarding it has been.

There are significant tax benefits from agreeing to a conservation easement on part of your land. Ensuring that this tract of land is safe from development can help to cultivate the habitat which has many benefits for various ecosystems. But, as many landowners know, it goes way beyond this as it creates a legacy which can be enjoyed for many generations to come.

So Many Options

Due to the location of the hunting ranches in Colorado, you will probably wish there were more than twenty-four hours in a day. Hunting is just one of many recreational activities to enjoy, with fishing, hiking, and canoeing readily available on site or nearby.

Ranches located on or near to mountain ranges will also enjoy a wide range of winter activities such as snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing. But it isn’t just recreation that makes these ranches particularly attractive.

Some ranches lend themselves to agricultural operations either as an active participant or by leasing parts of the land for grazing. Other ranches are well suited to equestrian operations or as private retreats. There truly is something for everyone.

5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Montana Ranch Real Estate

1. Montana Ranch Real Estate is Part of a Long History of American Ranching

The love of Montana ranch real estate has been part of this glorious state’s way of life since the very beginning. From the early 1860s, ranching was one of the first industries that started up in Western Montana. Ranching was popular because of the need for beef production to satisfy the hunger of nearby workers in the mining settlements.

The vast grasslands of Montana provided an ideal ranching environment that was used in an open range construct. In open range ranching, ranchers rotate herds so they can graze on the freshest pastures.

2. Open Range Ranching and Grass Fed Beef Aren’t New Fads

Grass fed cattle is all the rage today, but it’s not a new concept. Early Montana ranchers grazed cattle on grass using open range ranching. Cattle grazed on large sections of the unsettled land. As the cattle ate the grass, ranchers would move them to new sections of pastureland.

Open range ranching declined in Montana after the Homestead Act of 1862. New waves of homesteaders fenced in their land, making open range ranching harder.

3. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s Had This Surprising Impact

It’s common to think of the Dust Bowl as only impacting the central and Southern parts of America. However, the northern prairies also felt the impact from this disaster. As a result of political pressure placed on legislators during the Dust Bowl, Congress passed the Taylor Grazing Act.

This introduced more sustainable grazing practices. Lawmakers hoped to prevent similar events in the future. This Act created the United States Grazing Service. The USGS regulated grazing practices in order to prevent overgrazing on public lands.

4. Montana’s Legislature Took Sustainable Practices to a Whole New Level

The state of Montana took a proactive approach to grazing management as a result of the Dust Bowl. Public grazing lands in Montana make up about one third of this expansive state’s total acreage. Much of this public land is ideal for grazing. But during the mid-20^th century, there were many different grazing associations across the state that did not communicate cooperatively.

The Montana State Legislature passed a bill in 1935 creating the Montana Grass Conservation Commission, and then passed the Montana Grass Conservation Act in 1939. Together, these two bills supported the creation of cooperative grazing districts. These replaced the numerous private grazing associations. The state’s districts streamlined communication regarding grazing issues across the state. This legislation made grasslands management much more effective.

5. Today’s Montana Ranchers Blend Sustainability and Cutting-Edge Technology

Many of today’s Montana ranch real estate holdings are owned and operated by descendants of the very same families who originally settled there. Working with the Bureau of Land Management, today’s public land ranchers in Montana use advanced technologies with sustainable practices. This ensures that there will be grazing lands for Montana ranch real estate for generations to come.

5 Things Only New Mexico Land Lovers Understand

Other states may get more name recognition. But New Mexico is home to some of the most stunning views in the country.  Check out this list of some little-known benefits of life in this southwestern state.

1. New Mexico land is some of the most underappreciated in the country.

It doesn’t have the same sexy name recognition as Texas or California. But New Mexico land includes some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the country. The stunning geography of this southwest jewel includes lush mountains and verdant valleys. Not to mention that New Mexico land includes ranches with a culture and history all their own.

The southwest terrain of New Mexico features a variety of plant life.  There are 8 distinct ecoregions in New Mexico. The state actually has the fourth highest floristic diversity in the entire country. In the mountains, piñon, juniper, and ponderosa pine are some of the most common species. Other plant communities include mesquite shrublands and savannas.

2. New Mexico is a land of all four seasons.

Most people think of New Mexico and imagine hot, dry deserts. As the home of part of the Great Rocky Mountains, the climate of this state is actually cool, with all four seasons.

People with a love of the outdoors will enjoy spending time outside. Fishing, hiking, and hunting are just a few common pastimes enjoyed here. Caving and watersports are also much-loved sports among those who live in New Mexico.

3. New Mexico is home to a surprising number of ranches.

It’s almost impossible to think of a time when farming and ranching weren’t part of New Mexico life. The Spanish explorer Coronado brought cattle to the area in 1540, but these were for food. At the end of the 16th century, permanent settlers brought cattle. This was the beginning of commercial livestock production in the New Mexico region. Farming has been important in New Mexico life for over 2500 years. Today, over 97% of the farms and ranches in New Mexico are family owned.

4. Fertile New Mexico land produces award winning wines.

In the early 1600s, sacramental wine was needed in the Southwest. Father Garcia de Zuniga and brother Antonio de Arteaga, planted grapes. Wine production peaked in the 1800s in the Rio Grande Valley. There were over 3100 acres of vineyards producing almost a million gallons each year.  By the mid-1900s, harsh winters and flooding caused production to decrease. In the late 20th century, production increased again to over 700,000 gallons each year. Some of the vineyard owners are direct descendants from the early Spanish settlers.

5. New Mexico is an ideal place to take the road less traveled.

Looking for a place to slow down, hop off the fast lane, and explore? New Mexico is for you. Backcountry exploration is a perfect New Mexico pastime, as it turns out that around 75% of the roads in New Mexico are unpaved.  Geographically speaking, it’s also the nation’s fifth largest state.

With benefits like these, it’s time to discover New Mexico today!