The Magazine of the American Landowner is an essential guide for investors, landowners, and those interested in buying or selling land. The award-winning quarterly is known for its annual survey of America's largest landowners, The Land Report 100.
Issue link: http://landreport.epubxp.com/i/522012
predict the market in 2015 to be similar to 2014 with not much increase in values." Clark Company www.clarkcompany.com (805) 238-7110 2014 Sales: < $50 Million Who: What began as a stage and cattle company in Ventura County in the 1890s has grown into a real estate and manage- ment company specializing in farm and agricultural properties, commercial property, and ranch management. Wow: Represented both buyer and seller on an all-cash, full- price offer on BMT Ranch, a 891-acre working horse and alfalfa ranch encompassing a main home, two guest cottages, foreman and employee resi- dences, out-buildings, barns, and equestrian facilities, includ- ing a training track. Insight: "This year is off to a busy start with abundant activity and multiple new listings in California and Nevada," says President Pete Clark. "We look forward to an equally successful and robust market in 2015." Land and Wildlife www.landandwildlife.com (800) 535-6007 2014 Sales: $50 - $100 Million Who: Now operating in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska with a focus on large tracts of land, ranches, timber tracts, recre- ational properties, vineyards, and resorts. Wow: The $16.75 million sale of the 2,734-acre Golden Gate near Gold Beach, Oregon. Insight: "We feel this surge in buyers will remain through 2015, allowing for a very good oppor- tunity for buyers to purchase land that may be priced the best we will ever see," says Broker Tim O'Neil. Smith-Kandal Real Estate www.smithkandal.com (760) 344-2212 2104 Sales: < $50 Million W ho: S pecializes in irrigated farmland in Southern California's Imperial Valley and Riverside County. Wow: Listed a 1,892-acre farm for $26 million. P A C I F I C California Outdoor Properties californiaoutdoorproperties.com (707) 455-4444 2014 Sales: $100 - $250 Million Who: Listing values for ranch, recreational, hunting, fishing, equestrian, farm, and vineyard properties combine to make this one of the largest private- land real estate companies in California. Wow: Sold the Dixie Valley Ranch, a 120,000-acre Northern California cattle operation. Insight: Says Owner Marty Renfrew, "2014 was a difficult year for land sales due to the extreme drought in California, but December rains have produced green grasses and filled the ponds and reservoirs with water. There seems to be an optimism in the air and a renewed interest in land." The Chickering Company www.chickeringco.com (530) 265-5774 2014 Sales: < $50 Million Who: Experts in ranch and recreational properties through- out the West with an emphasis on Northern California. Wow: Sale of Spring Creek Ranch, a 1,346-acre ranch on the renowned Fall River. Insight: According to Managing Broker Terry Hundemer: "We saw a slight increase in sales in 2014, but buyers are still very cautious, especially about our ongoing drought and water issues. We 2014 Sales: < $50 Million Who: LandRadar.com is the "face" for the land brokerage portion of the North Central M innesota organization that specializes in hunting and recreational properties in a nine-county region of the state renowned for outdoor activity. LandRadar.com's primary client remains Potlatch Corporation, a well-known real estate invest- ment trust with holdings in Minnesota, Idaho, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. Wow: LandRadar.com's 2014 numbers were up 25 percent over 2013. Also, the company represented the Chicago-area owner of a 2,700-acre holding northeast of Bemidji near Red Lake, which is regarded as a highly productive walleye fishery. Insight: Financial institutions "are starting to realize that land loans are not a poison pill any longer, so people with decent credit can realize the landownership dream," says Broker Rod Osterloh. "With more buyers in the market, we expect some upward trend in prices as we move through the year." Wingert Realty & Land Services www.wingertrealty.com (800) 730-5263 2014 Sales: $100 - $250 Million Who: Recognized authority in agricultural real estate with an emphasis on productive farmland in Minnesota and Northern Iowa. Insight: "Land values declined 15 percent from mid-2013 to the third quarter of 2014," says Owner/Broker Charles Wingert. "Values have held steady since that time but are dependent on the direction of commodity prices for 2015." 76 The LandReport | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 LANDREPORT.COM A M E R I C A ' S BEST BROKERAGES G R E A T L A K E S 1 Stop Realty www.1stop-realty.com (507) 634-7033 2014 Sales: < $50 Million Who: Service-oriented, full- range firm that also manages farmland. Wow: 2014 marked 40 years in business! Insight: Inventory remains low with continued demand for good-quality land. Bear Island Land www.bearislandland.com (218) 365-2800 2014 Sales : < $50 Million Who: Experts in the sale of recreational properties. Wow: Just celebrated 20th year in business. Insight: Owner Charlie Chernak sees the market as slowly improving in the Great Lakes area but also notes a high inventory on buy-to-build properties. LandRadar.com by Close-Converse www.landradar.com (218) 828-3334