Conservation Easements

Montanans – both natives and transplants – all share a love for the rugged grandeur of this magnificent state. Our wide vistas, majestic mountains, rolling farmlands, and wildlife attract visitors from around the world, and nurture the souls of those of us who call Montana home. Recent years have brought an influx of people wishing to develop and carve out sections of land for profit or personal use. This has created valid concern for the future of the state, and with that, growing alarm over disappearing open space. 

Montanans are pro-active people and, consequently, many residents of the Big Sky Country are passionate about proper stewardship of the land and are involved in numerous non-profit organizations that are diligently working to preserve and protect all that we so love for our future generations. Montana calls itself “The Last Best Place” and with that in mind, we are committed to permanently protecting what we so enjoy. 

Conservation Easements, very favorable and attractive to land owners wishing to preserve their holdings for future generations, are available for enactment by working with and through one of Gallatin Valley’s many non-profit organizations. 

Stuart and Sally love the Gallatin Valley and encourage land owners to consider the future of the open lands in this community. As a board member of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Stuart is actively working to insure the continued viability of our local eco-system. Many of our closest friends are involved in 501-C3 local organizations fighting to safeguard Montana’s unique environment. 

There are many reasons to place land under the umbrella of Conservation Easements: taxes, inheritance, and a desire to insure for perpetuity that the land remains unfettered by future development while allowing you enjoyment of the land. As a legally binding agreement, with specific rules and regulations, a Conservation Easement should be approached with full understanding and knowledge of what you receive in exchange for giving up certain rights on your land. 

Below are links to several organizations in the Gallatin Valley with representatives who would be delighted to discuss the personal impact a Conservation Easement will have on you and your land. 

• Gallatin Valley Land Trust
• Gallatin County Open Space Grant Program  
• Trust for Public Land 
• Conservation Land Network 
• Montana Land Reliance 
• Montana Wetlands Legacy 
• Montana Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Trout Unlimited
• Nature Conservancy

Farm & Ranch

In his book, A Sense of Place: Listening to Americans, author David Lamb sums up how many feel about Montana when he writes, “In every true Montanan, there is something that says, ‘I am a last holdout.’ “You see, Montana isn’t just the “Last Best Place,” but unique in the sense that in this modern day and age, it remains primarily a rural land filled with vast ranches, farms, and national forests. Montana is the fourth largest state in the Union, but with a population less than that living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. In Montana, it’s still very possible to become a cowboy, to ride the range, and to own property as far as the eye can see. There are “Gentleman Ranches” in and around Bozeman that satisfy the craving for a piece of the True West, allow horses, and are relatively easy to maintain. Or, like Ted Turner, Tom Seibel, and Tom Brokaw, you can jump in feet first and rope in a legendary Montana ranch, rich in history.

Stuart and Sally are ready to assist our clients in finding and acquiring the ranch or farm of their dreams. We work closely with specialists in Farm and Ranch properties, knowing many times well in advance that a property will be coming on the market. Pricing for acreage varies wildly, determined by many factors, including proximity to Bozeman or another urban area, existing buildings, water, trees, the make-up of the soil, weather conditions, views, topography, and the desirability of the land.

Many ranches and farms in Montana are owned by out-of state investors. Consequently, a thriving ranch management service industry has sprung up in Montana, specializing in the overseeing of large land holdings. It is possible to hire management and consultants who can address every aspect of being a proper steward of the land while operating an agricultural-based business.

There are many ways to help offset the cost of buying and operating large tracts of Montana land. There is a new trend to “bank" and trade such natural resources as water rights and there are lucrative tax credits for conservation easements. Stuart and Sally know the right professionals for you to consult with regarding ranch and land management. It is important for you to fully appreciate and understand the enormity of undertaking the running of a farm or ranch if you have not previously owned such a property.

In Montana, we consider Ryan Flair of “Fay Ranches” and Dave Johnson of “Hall & Hall” to be the leading listing agents for rural Montana farm and ranches.

We are happy to represent your interests should you wish to purchase one of their listings or any other available property in Montana.

Investments

“Owning a home is a keystone of wealth …both financial affluence and emotional security.” —Suze Orman

Investing For Your Future

Investing doesn’t sound romantic or exciting until you visit Montana. Few things in life are as rewarding and vital – and solid – as owning Montana real estate. Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley embody the very best of what the great state of Montana offers. World-class fly fishing, hunting, skiing, and an excellent university have partially contributed to the Bozeman community’s steady – 10 to 12 percent annually – appreciation in real estate values. Bozeman is a unique combination of the sophisticated and the rustic, the art-conscious and nature-loving, a vibrant city and the soothing calm of the mountains and valleys. A thriving community located in a spectacular valley. Land, although sweeping in scale, is finite in availability due to the surrounding mountains, zoning laws, and vast amounts of adjacent publicly-owned land. Supply and demand are definitely driving this market. A quick glance at our Bozeman Market Report shows our tremendous growth.

Understanding The Market

Stuart and Sally understand the Bozeman area market and the opportunities for investment. We are constantly scouting out “deals” which we pass along to our clients, but only after accessing exactly the kind of property they desire.

We know the availability of water, the Bozeman and Gallatin Valley master plans for future growth, and which local expert to answer questions that may lay outside our real estate and marketing expertise. We have a solid network of professionals in every field who are here to help you resolve a myriad of questions that may arise while considering an investment. For example: Do you place your acreage in conservation easement? Do you qualify for a 1031 exchange? Should title be placed in a trust? Who will manage the property if you live elsewhere?

Creating Trust

Investing your personal resources is serious business. We are knowledgeable, honest, and dedicated to helping you make the best possible decision, while protecting your privacy and respecting your wishes. Stuart and Sally work together, constantly communicating, researching and investigating all the important details to help serve our clients’ best interests.

We love what we do, and it shows. We treat our clients with the same respect, dignity and appreciation that we do our closest friends and family because our experience has proven to us that many of our clients today evolve into our friends of tomorrow.

Preparing Your Property

Getting ready to sell

Sometimes it takes only the first few minutes after a potential buyer walks into a house that we’re listing that the potent feeling hits: a powerful visceral reaction that says, “This is home.” It’s an emotional reaction that cannot be predicted or explained. It may be an intangible connection to the house or, more likely, the result of a seller properly preparing their home to show off its very best assets. Working with Stuart and Sally allows our select group of clients to take advantage of our experience in the areas of both interior design and marketing. We facilitate our sellers opening their own “discerning eye��? to envision how their property might be perceived by others. We are at your service to assist in “staging” a home for its most advantageous presentation.

But the marketing process begins much earlier, by effectively attending to this checklist of items that should be completed in any home before it goes on the market.

Outdoors / Exterior:

• Clean up any debris around property. Make sure lawns and hedges are neatly trimmed and pruned. Clear away any dead plants.

• Clean all windows, inside and out.

• The entrance of any home makes the important primary statement about the rest of the house. Make the area in and around front door appealing, tidy and attractive.

• Touch up areas that may require fresh paint or wood stain

• Repair any loose drains, window screens, and all other noticeable items around a home’s exterior.

Garage:

• If it’s cluttered, clean and organize the area, throw out any unnecessary items stored there to create a more visually appealing appearance.

Living Areas:

• The interior of a home should not just look clean, but smell as fresh and clean as possible. If there are cat litter boxes, have the litter changed frequently, even daily. Subtle air fresheners – or, better yet, the aroma of freshly-baked goods – are excellent additions to the fragrance of a clean home, but don’t mask unpleasant smells (pets, moldiness, dampness) with strong perfumes. The most enticing environment is as clean and fresh as possible.

• Refresh areas that require attention. Paint or touch up where needed. Clean drapes, wash curtains, dust frequently, and polish all furnishings. Pets are wonderful, but there shouldn’t be obvious signs of their activities: vacuum up pet hair, clean up litter boxes (and keep in discreet places), and keep feeding areas clean and tidy.

• Replace any burnt out light bulbs, dust off lampshades and glass globes where needed.

• Organize bookshelves and closets, drawers, and cabinets. When showing a house for sale, clutter is never your friend! Neatly arrange items and tidy up areas, stacking boxes and arranging shoes and clothing in an organized fashion.

Kitchen:

• Sinks, counter tops, and appliances – surface and interior! – should sparkle. Clean out refrigerators and wash down the shelves and surfaces. Food storage drawers should be as clean as possible. Deep clean the inside surfaces of ovens (if possible, they should look as “new” as possible) and every nook and cranny of gas and electric ranges

• The floor should be scrubbed and waxed frequently, particularly with heavy use. All tiles should be clean and shiny and grout should be cleaned and bleached or, if needed, replaced.

Bathrooms:

• Mirrors should be shiny and clean. All bathroom surfaces should be clean and free of soap scum, mildew, hard-water stains. If grout and/or caulking can’t be cleaned or bleached, replace as necessary.

• Arrange and clean cabinets and drawers.

• Replace shower curtain and bath mats if needed.

• Fix any leaky faucets

Overall:

• Walk through your house with a critical set of eyes, trying to note areas that may lessen the positive impact of the home. Fix, replace, or rearrange anything that negatively catches your attention. Try to anticipate what a buyer will notice or find potentially objectionable. You know your home better than anyone and intuitively understand how to present it in its best light.

• Check all doors to make sure they don’t squeak or stick.

• Listen! Are there objectionable noises that need to be addressed and fixed? Remember, a menacing, barking dog can make buyers uneasy and nervous.

• Keep your house temperature set at a comfortable level. You may personally prefer it too hot or briskly cool, but potential buyers may not!

• Lighting makes a critical difference. Are rooms well-lit? Do lamps have appropriate bulb wattages? Check the views out of all windows in the home and remove items inside and out that may hinder or lessen the visual impact of the view.

Black Bull Golf Community – Luxury Club Homes

A remarkable convergence of spectacular high-country terrain and refined country living has made southwestern Montana’s Gallatin Valley one of the most desirable rural retreats in the American West.Black Bull is a 378-home premier golf community established on 485 acres of the historic Leachman Ranch in Bozeman, Montana. It has the services and amenities you’d expect from a premier resort, but in a relaxed, rustic-yet-upscale atmosphere true to its roots. Black Bull is an ideal home for the outdoor enthusiasts with abundant opportunities for fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, skiing and snowmobiling in the adjacent Gallatin Range and Spanish Peaks. And, Yellowstone National Park and the Big Sky Ski Resort are just an hour away. Nearby Bozeman offers a vibrant restaurant scene and a good selection of shops and services. Black Bull Golf Community 4711 Love Lane Bozeman, Montana 59715 Club Home 96 Highnoon Bozeman, MT $1,195,000 4,059 Sq Ft 4 Bedrooms 4 Full Baths 1 Half Bath
	Acreage: 485 acres (196 hectares)
	Lots: 273 custom, single-family lots vary in size from one-third of an acre to one acre. Costs range from $195,000 to $650,000.
	Club Homes: 105 distinctive Club Homes are inspired by Locati Architects and designed for turn-key convenience. Club Homes range from 2,200 to 4,000 square feet. Prices range from $795,000 to $1,300,000.
	Golf: The 18-hole championship course was designed by former PGA star Tom Weiskopf. The quality of the course rivals that of the nation’s top golf clubs, but with the relaxed attitude that permeates everything here. Because the course is private and membership is limited, there will be virtually no need to reserve a tee time. The club features a 16-acre practice facility, which is the largest in the Rocky Mountains.
	Clubhouse: At the Clubhouse, members will have access to a fine dining restaurant, a full-service pro shop, a fitness center with spa and massage services, men’s and women’s lounge areas and meeting rooms.
	Swim and Tennis Center: The Swim and Tennis Center features a bar, indoor and outdoor casual dining areas, locker rooms and direct access to our hard-court tennis courts and swimming pool.
	Concierge: Concierge services allow community members the opportunity to enjoy their surroundings by providing amenities such as monthly updates of activities in the area, cleaning services, floral deliveries, special event tickets, restaurant reservations, day trip planning and scheduling, and more.

 

Click here to find out about additional amenities and to connect to the Black Bull Website.