Broker/Owner of Fay Ranches Inc., Greg Fay was featured in The Wall Street Journal's special “Ranch, Land, Equestrian & Recreational Properties” section.  

The article written by WSJ writer, Tonie Auer, focused on the savviness of land owners making money from their recreational properties. The demand on land seems to be focused from regional location but the quality of the land and what prospective owners are seeking; whether it’s income generation or access to equestrian, fly-fishing or hunting.  During the interview, Fay stated that “Since the Great Recession, savvy land-owners discovered how to generate income on their recreational properties. Investors want both the fun factor and to earn a return on their land.”

“Land has historically been a good income stream with moderate growth,” Fay says. “By finding a working property, you have the attribute of enjoying the land while generating some revenue; it’s a double benefit. Its land that is unique and finite, maybe it has great recreational attributes like really big elk or trout.  It could be that the soils are good and it grows quality hardwoods.”

As an excellent example Mr. Fay recently handled the sale of the 12,169-acre Crazy D Ranch in Montana, which features a large farming and livestock operation. The property also features a 335-acre private reservoir for water sports, wild trout fisheries, upland bird hunting and big game hunting. 

“Many people are done with the capricious nature of the stock market and they’re shifting money to more predictable investments” Fay says. “Since 2013, the niche market has remained steady with sustainable growth.”

In closing, Fay noted “Ranch and farmland typically sell better in the summer but says he’s selling land – from agricultural to timberland and ranches -- like its July.”