Luelling River Retreat

Madras, Oregon – 155 Acres – $2,100,000 Reduced!

Situated near Madras, Oregon, the Luelling River Retreat is comprised of 155 acres with 1 mile of frontage along the famed 100-mile Lower Deschutes River. For the first time offered for sale, the property is steeped in history beginning in the late 1800s. Boasting a custom-designed 3,300 sqft 5-bedroom, 3-bath home, it is one of the few riverfront residences on the Lower Deschutes with construction prior to the river coming under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Other improvement include 14 acres of irrigated land, a 50’x30’ outbuilding with enclosed tack room, a fenced dog kennel, fenced garden area with fruit trees and fenced area for horses, a fiberglass greenhouse and small pond. The Lower Deschutes River is famous for its native red-band (rainbow or “redside”) trout fishery. The Lower Deschutes is world-renowned for its salmonfly, golden stone and caddis hatches that keep anglers busy from April through December. More particularly, the Warm Springs to Trout Creek section, where the retreat is located, offers some of the best fly fishing on the entire Lower Deschutes River. Luelling is the only residence in this 10-mile fly water section of the Lower Deschutes River. Properties rarely come on the market on the Lower Deschutes, and this opportunity provides riverfront ownership to a section of river sought-after by many fly anglers around the world.

Little Mission Creek Ranch

Livingston, Montana – 586 Acres – $3,500,000

Located southeast of Livingston, Montana, the Little Mission Creek Ranch enjoys privacy and seclusion in a spectacular mountain foothill setting. Consisting of five contiguous parcels totaling approximately 586 deeded acres, the property lies on the northern flank of the Absaroka Range, the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The ranch is well-watered with four small streams including ¾ mile of Little Mission Creek, which supports a resident trout fishery. Improvements consist of a log homestead building, a small set of corrals and perimeter fencing, with a number of superior building sites offering tremendous views. The Gallatin National Forest boundary is within a mile of the ranch, and both the Yellowstone and Boulder Rivers are within a 30-minute drive. The Little Mission Creek Ranch offers strong recreational amenities, an agricultural component, potential conservation options and many choice homesites, creating a unique purchase opportunity in one of the most scenic locations in Montana.

Historic Black Bluffs on the Yellowstone River

Park City, Montana – 1,374 Acres – $3,366,300

Take a look at the Historic Black Bluffs on the Yellowstone River is situated in Carbon County, Montana, ideally located for the sportsman. This property is situated 30 minutes from the Billings Airport and 30 minutes from the ski slopes in Red Lodge, near the town of Park City. The ranch enjoys a diverse 1,374 deeded acres of flat to rolling uplands along with numerous coulees and draws leading to the private frontage on 2 ½ miles of the Yellowstone River with dramatic views up the river and framed by the Beartooth Mountains.

Teton River Confluence Ranch

Teton Valley, ID – 723 Acres – $4,900,000

This 723-acre ranch is comprised of a peninsula of land bordered by Badger Creek, Bitch Creek and the Teton River, three of the finest cutthroat trout fisheries in the West. Teton River Confluence Ranch is located in the tightly-held north end of Teton Valley, Idaho, 20 minutes north of Driggs. The setting is breathtaking with rolling topography, big Teton Range views and the wild river canyons. Currently in its seventh year of a Conservation Reserve Program, the ranch provides the owner with income and the wildlife with protection. The wildlife species benefiting the most from the current ranch use are sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge and mule deer. “Huns” and “sharpies” are both present in huntable numbers and provide great recreation for the wingshooter. The Teton River Confluence Ranch possesses the combination of great fishing, hunting, big views and farm income all while being close to one of the most desirable small towns in the West.

Live Water Properties Broker Craig Janssen was featured in Distinctly Montana’s Ranch Realtor Roundup: A DM Roundtable interview.

Ranch Realtor Roundup A DM Roundtable

Yee-hah! Ranch sales are on the giddy-up again this year. Who is buying, why they’re buying, and is there an end in sight?

So what does the ranch market look like to you this year? Is it different from 2013?

Craig Janssen We are excited to see increases in buyer activity in all price ranges. Over the past few years we have seen good activity in the largest sized and consequently highest total priced properties. In the past six to nine months we are finally seeing buyers interested in smaller acreage deals and subsequently smaller price points.

What does the demand for “working” ranches and recreational ranches look like?

Janssen Very strong cattle prices along with demand from ag producers who sold in the Bakken area in ND are keeping working ranches in high demand. High quality recreational properties that are well priced are seeing strong activity, but places that are overpriced or lesser quality are not receiving much attention.

There are the buyers coming from? Are they from the U.S., or are you seeing more foreign buyers?

Janssen The majority of our buyers are from the U.S., but we are consistently seeing more interest from overseas. Wealthy foreigners see real estate in the U.S. as a safe investment and are attracted to the stability of the tax code and the state economies of mid-western and the mountain west states.

What would you say are the key elements buyers now look for in a ranch property?

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?

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.

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. habitat and stream consultants, farm and ranch managers, area conservation groups, and an accountant experienced with all the benefits of ranch ownership.

Where do you see the market for Montana ranch sales headed over the next three-five years?

Janssen At Live Water we are optimistic and confident that the ranch market will continue to steadily improve over the next three to five years. While we do not expect large appreciation, we do expect healthy growth.

To read more about this interview click here. Distinctly Montana’s 2014 Summer issue in also available as a digital issue at distinctlymontana.com.

Dolores Canyon Lodge and Ranch – Pleasant View, Colorado

Offering Price is $1.425M, Reduced from $1.575M

This Colorado Fly Fishing Ranch is a one-of-a-kind property located within the Lone Dome Recreation Area in Southwest Colorado. Comprised of 12.8 acres, this ranch includes a 3,334 sqft custom-built lodge, cozy guest cabin, equestrian facilities, direct access to public lands and world-class dry fly fishing steps away from the front door. Only 30 minutes to the town of Dolores and 40 minutes to the city of Cortez, this “off the grid” ranch is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, providing tremendous fly fishing, hunting and horseback riding.