Montana Ranches (Sheridan, Willow Creek, Alder: how much, house, buying)

[SpeedyAZ]

Hello all,

I would like to get some information on Montana ranches and Montana in general. I don't plan on moving there but I have thought of buying a ranch for a vacation retreat (currently live in a suburb of Phoenix). I really have no idea where to start though.

First: My budget would be up to $800,000. I'd like to spend less but I'd be willing to go that high (maybe a bit higher) for the perfect ranch.

Second: I'd like more than 400-500 acres (maybe in the thousands?). What does an acre run up there?

Third: I don't want a "working ranch". I have no intentions of raising livestock (lived on a farm in Iowa; been there, done that, hated it). I want a ranch with streams, beautiful mountians, and a serene place to relax. I wouldn't want to see neighbors for miles.

What exactly are "deeded acres"? I'm assuming that I own the acres...?

Again thank you for the advice, maybe in the near future I'll have a little slice of the big "sky" !

[Montanaman1]

Try the Montana magazines (there are several). Your price range would limit your options on property, as land with streams and mountain views in excess of 1000 acres are well over $1,000,000. Property in the western part of the state is really getting expensive. You are about 30 years late for cheap land.

Sorry for the bad news.

Rick

[SpeedyAZ]

Try the Montana magazines (there are several). Your price range would limit your options on property, as land with streams and mountain views are well over $1,000,000. Property in the western part of the state is really getting expensive. You are about 30 years late for cheap land.

Is the western part of the state the only that have mountainous land? I really don't care where it's located within the state but I have those requirements as far as what I'm looking for.

How much does an acre of non-working, scenic ranchland run?

Thanks for the info though, I'll look into the magazines and see what I can find.

as land with streams and mountain views in excess of 1000 acres

I don't need thousands of acres (I'd like 'em though). I could settle for a few hundred if they still had the views and the streams/ ponds etc.

[Montanaman1]

Here are some examples from the magazine I am currently reading:

640 acres, Alder.............$ 1,500,000.
325 acres, Sheridan........$ 2,800,000.
655 acres, Glen..............$ 1,500,000.
915 acres, Willow Creek..$ 1,950,000.

You get the idea.

[ladyflyfsh]

Montanaman, where are you located in MT?

[ladyflyfsh]

Oops, I just answered my own question...your property is just over the hill from me. BUT where are you now? You haven't moved here yet...right?

[rambrush]

Speedy
We are located up north of you in Kingman, We wanted property and ended up having to research online. Then we loaded up and drove up to the Anaconda area west of Butte.
We ended up buying 20.5 acres with a 1/2 mile of year around creek wetland areas at 7500' elevation. it is 8 miles off of the paved road up near the Mount Haggin area. Our property we found WAS NOT on the market. Only by word of mouth while we were up there did we find and buy it for aprox 1700.00 a acre.
So we are planning on building a cabin on it and using it during the summer and be snowbirds returning to Az when snow starts flying.

[SpeedyAZ]

We are located up north of you in Kingman, We wanted property and ended up having to research online. Then we loaded up and drove up to the Anaconda area west of Butte.
We ended up buying 20.5 acres with a 1/2 mile of year around creek wetland areas at 7500' elevation. it is 8 miles off of the paved road up near the Mount Haggin area. Our property we found WAS NOT on the market. Only by word of mouth while we were up there did we find and buy it for aprox 1700.00 a acre.
So we are planning on building a cabin on it and using it during the summer and be snowbirds returning to Az when snow starts flying.

Nice to meet you, neighbor. It sounds as if you have a great place up there.

I'm looking for land more than an actual ranch, I'd build my own house (no need for any barns, pens etc). This would be my absolute dream ranch:

1600-2000 acres of pristine, unspoiled, mountainous terrain. Dozens of little lakes, streams, and a couple great fishing ponds. A long driveway that comes to a large (4000 sq ft), wooden, lodge-type home. A huge patio that has an awe-inspiring view of the mountians and lakes. And maybe a Range Rover or Hummer to top it all off.

Now I know it'd be mext to impossible to find a ranch like this at any price. But one can dream...

[Montanaman1]

Nothing wrong with dreams Speedy. All it takes is $$$$$$$.
Save your pennies.

Rick

[ladyflyfsh]

Speedy, you can always check out craigslist.org for possible listings.