Rural & Recreational Real Estate – still the secure investment

In an uncertain economy, it is challenging to decide to where to allocate investment dollars in order to ensure optimal security and returns. Conflicting opinions about the future of the stock market, expert’s changing suggestions on how and where to spend, and new U.S. and global fiscal policies are impacting the value of our investments in unexpected ways. Overall, traditional financial investments yield low returns today and the loss of principal remains a high risk. With the massive increase in our national debt, high inflation is inevitable. Most knowledgeable financial experts and advisors suggest that a well diversified investment portfolio always consists of real estate, at least 15% of the portfolio value. However, unlike some commercial and residential real estate values today, whose values depend on the overall economic vitality of the markets they are in, ranch and recreation real estate almost always holds its value and is insulated against inflation. Ranch real estate remains one of the most dependable and wise choices amongst savvy and successful investors. There is no doubt that it has a far greater potential of appreciation thus a greater return on investment than the potential illusionary financial returns we’re seeing in the stock market today.

A large amount of commercial real estate today is overvalued and has not adjusted down to the point where prudent investors would enter the market. On the other hand, rural land and recreational real estate across the nation has a different value foundation – scarcity. One can move a business, build a new commercial building and change locations entirely. Yet land remains where it is, as it is – completely unique in location and characteristic. The availability of high quality land, large acreage properties rich in natural resources such as water, minerals, timber, wildlife and agriculture production capability, are more difficult to find and will undoubtedly continue to appreciate and remain in demand.

Land scarcity offers a compelling argument for real estate as the better long-term investment over stock. Land investors will not wake up one morning to learn that bad “credit default swaps” (third party insurance against bad loans made by some of our nation’s largest banking and investment firms) or a newly passed federal law or government program has wiped out the equity value of their stock portfolio - or worse. Another advantage of ranch real estate ownership is the various tax advantage opportunities. Rural land and recreation real estate benefits from favorable tax treatment and offers many types of estate-planning opportunities. Ranch real estate typically receives more favorable regulatory treatment. For example, in Colorado, a ranch with a market value of over $5,000,000 may be legitimately taxed as agricultural land resulting in property taxes of only $250 per annum. In this uncertain economic and investment climate, quality rural real estate remains a promising and profitable investment.

Ranch Marketing Associates markets quality ranch real estate for investment, agricultural production, conservation easement potential, outdoor recreation and development purposes. With offices in Denver, Aspen and Sheridan and Broker relationships throughout the United States, we provide clients with complete, fully-integrated services.

New Trend Emerges in Luxury Ranch Real Estate Market

An exciting trend has emerged in the ranch real estate market and it has buyers paying attention as demand quickly rises - the luxury, large-acreage, shared amenity ranch community. This isn't your traditional Ranching or Ranchette sub-division by any means.

With many of the same comforts resort-living offers, this exciting concept of luxury, large acreage, Shared amenity ranch ownership is rapidly growing in interest for many. Private individuals, business professionals and well-known names are seeking this form of ranch ownership as an alternative to the stand alone ranch - where dining and other conveniences can be miles away and where the demands of a stand-alone ranch with operations can interfere with time to relax with friends and family and enjoy your property, says Ron Morris, Founding Partner of Ranch Marketing Associates - a ranch real estate firm specializing in high-end Agricultural, Recreation, and Investment properties across the West.

Growing in popularity across the west, where the rare opportunity still exists to own unspoiled, scenic and expansive land with abundant wildlife and natural resources, purchasing a Shared-Amenity ranch with private access to fine accommodations is as much about service and convenience as it is the pride and rewards of owning a large land-holding. This new form of ranch real estate offers individuals with demanding businesses and families with busy schedules the ability to live "the ranching lifestyle" without many of the responsibilities typically associated with owning and operating a traditional, stand-alone ranch.

Research on past and current real estate trends consistently reveal that ranch and recreation property purchases are often times made for investment purposes; where land values are expected to rise over time reaping gains for the ranch-investor risk-taker. However, for many people considering a ranch purchase in the new and varied market of ranch real estate today, the decision is also, quite simply, discretionary. Individuals with the financial ability to realize their dream of ranch ownership are now looking for innovative ways to living an authentic ranching lifestyle yet with some of the comforts associated with modern living.

For ranch owners of all kinds, the proverbial cliche of raising livestock or mending fences is one of the rewards of land ownership and is the best way to unwind. But for many buyers considering their first or next ranch purchase, these ranching responsibilities must not compete with time to enjoy their ranch home or interfere with time to entertain and relax with family, friends or business associates. This is the appeal of luxury, large-acreage, shared amenity ranch ownership.

Shared amenity ranch communities often include private (and sometimes secured) access to luxurious clubhouses, spas & boutiques, five-star lodging and dining, fitness facilities, equestrian centers, and even Master Guides and Instructors readily on hand to accommodate a trail ride or fly-fishing lesson with a quick phone call to the ranch headquarters (concierge).

The exquisite, 19,000-acre Grand River Ranch, located in Kremmling, Colorado (recreation corridor for the avid outdoorsman and recreation enthusiast) exemplifies this new trend and represents the top-echelon of the luxury, large-acreage shared amenity ranch experience. With individual ranch privacy while maintaining the land's natural beauty, the Grand River Ranch was strategically (master) planned with only 19 ranches available for ownership; each unique in character and topography and ranging in size from several hundred acres to over a 1,000 acres.

These ranches offer the discriminating buyer the same western lifestyle associated with a stand-alone ranch but where owners can use as many of the offered services as they want without the expense or hassle of having to employ their own staff or ranch managers. For more information on Grand River Ranch, visit Grand River Ranch.

New Listing: El Caso Ranch, New Mexico

Ranch Marketing Associates is pleased to announce the listing of the 70,000-acre (3,250 deeded acres) El Caso Ranch located in the beautiful high-mountain desert of south-central New Mexico. This spectacular working ranch offers many agricultural, development, investment and recreational opportunities. The ranch includes a Polo arena, well-designed 46-lot residential subdivision with utilities, boat marina, restaurant & bar, gas station, 17 acres zoned commercial, ponds, streams, hunting and fishing.

"This scenic, productive ranch has a great deal to offer and is truly a rare opportunity for the investor interested in a great income operation," said RMA Partner, Ron Morris. El Caso Ranch enjoys a beautiful four-season climate, vast beauty and abundant wildlife in a location convenient to Phoenix, Albuquerque and the Four Corners region of the United States.

Ranch Marketing Associates, a Ranch Real Estate firm specializing in agricultural and recreation properties with offices in Denver, Aspen and Sheridan, experienced sales in excess of $68,000,000 in 2006. RMA has expanded to keep up with the increased demand for large land holdings and provide their clients with complete, fully-integrated services for the myriad of ranch real estate ownership needs.

"Over the past few years, we've experienced an increase in clients looking for large, quality ranches for long term investment, conservation easement potential, outdoor recreation and future development purposes. Large properties with abundant resources such as water, minerals and timber, are increasingly more challenging to find and remain in strong demand," according to RMA Partner Ron Morris. Supply and demand, population growth along with increased wealth creation, a result of a healthy U.S. economy, has an impact on the availability of large properties throughout the western United States. More than 15% of available U.S. agricultural land is influenced by urban growth, causing land values to continue to increase.

RMA Partners, Ron Morris and Billy Long, bring over 40 years of experience representing high-end recreational and agricultural ranch properties. Together, they have sold over 1.5 million acres of land in excess of $400 million in sales. Visit the Ranch Marketing Associates website to see more ranches for sale.