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S P E C I A L R E P O R T : A M E R I C A ’ S B E S T B R O K E R A G E S

Camp Cooley Ranch

AustralianBernard Uechtritz’s

Uphill Battle to Close2011’s Deal of the Year

PLUS: NEW NUMBERS FROM THE KANSAS CITY FEDWE WATCH THE DESCENDANTS | 6 UPCOMING AUCTIONS

SPRING 2012 | The LandReport 49LANDREPORT.COM

Highlight: “In May 2011, weclosed over $24 million insales,” says Mike Callan. “Itturned out to be a trend-settingmonth for a banner year ratherthan an anomaly.”Insights: “This market hasshown us a real turnaround.We’ve not only seen an increasein sales on income-producingproperty but all across the board.”

Joshua & Co. www.joshuaco.com(303) 304-95562011 Sales: > $100 MillionWho: The firm’s Ranch Groupenjoys the distinction of beingthe only ranch specialist firmwith global affiliations withChristie’s Great Estates andLuxury Portfolio. Handles luxu-ry properties around Aspen andthe western slope of Colorado,with a concentration on recre-ational ranches and propertieswith high conservation values. Standout Brokers: TommyLatousek is the firm’s ranch spe-cialist. Founder Joshua Saslovehas completed many of thelargest non-commercial transac-tions in Colorado.Highlight: Sold the RoaringFork Ranch.

Knipe Land Companywww.knipeland.com(208) 345-31632011 Sales: > $100 MillionWho: Family-owned firm is oneof the oldest in the West.Targets agricultural and recre-ational land, including farms,ranches, and natural-resourcebased properties. Also offersfarm management services.Standout Broker: FounderJohn Knipe, ALC, is a past offi-cer of the NAR, president ofIdaho Realtors Land Institute,and cofounder of WorldOrganization Land Federation.Insights: “Inventory of mar-

ketable agricultural property hasdecreased; however, out of theones being marketed, we areseeing one in five farms andranches selling in the last yearin Idaho and Eastern Oregon,”Knipe says.

Legacy Landswww.montanalegacylands.com(406) 222-79632011 Sales: < $50 MillionWho: Led by Gwen Wagner, thefirm specializes in ranches andrecreational properties. Wagnerhas deep roots in the region aswell as hands-on experience inthe ranching business. Insights: “Sellers are realizingthat a return to the heyday ofranch sales is unlikely in theimmediate future. This hasopened the door to some greatopportunities for acquisition atfair prices,” says Wagner.

Legacy Properties Westwww.legacypropertieswest.com(970) 769-89892011 Sales: < $50 MillionWho: Ranches, recreationalproperties, and large-acreageparcels and estates are the spe-cialties of this Durango firm.Founded by Tom Morse; hiswife, Linda Morse, is the envi-ronmental consultant, and sonZach is a broker.Highlight: Sold the Lazy HRanch, listed at $3 million.

Live Water Propertieswww.livewaterproperties.com(866) 734-61002011 Sales: > $100 MillionWho: Ranch brokerage firm spe-cializing in premium cattle andagricultural operations, fly-fishingand hunting properties, and conservation-quality properties.Highlight: Closed $47+ millionin listing value in the last 6 weeksof 2011 and an additional $33million in January 2012, including

Yampa Tailwaters Preserve. Listedat $21+ million, the Preserveranked as one of the top five fish-ing properties in the Rockies andwas the largest sale in SteamboatSprings in three years. Live WaterProperties’ expertise in conserva-tion, fisheries, and wildlife habitatmanagement played an importantrole in the Yampa Tailwaterstransaction. The marketing andsale was a collaborative effort ofBrian Hartley in Denver, BenPierce in Bozeman, and AlexMaher in Jackson Hole.

Mirr Ranch Groupwww.mirrranchgroup.com(877) 623-45452011 Sales: $50-$100 MillionWho: Specializes in income-producing ranches and farms,sporting properties, rural realestate with conservation values,and land adjoining parks andpublic lands. Services includewildlife and fishery consulta-tion, ranch management, con-servation consultation, and pub-lic lands consultation.Highlight: Represented buyerof Luera Ranch, over 40,000acres near the Gila Wildernessin southwestern New Mexico.Noteworthy: Former publiclands attorney Ken Mirr isboard president of the ColoradoCoalition of Land Trusts.

Peaks Real Estate Sotheby’s International Realtytellurideluxuryproperties.com(970) 369-77002011 Sales: < $50 MillionWho: When Forbes, The WallStreet Journal, The Los Angeles Times and The New York Timesneed expert commentary onluxury real estate, ManagingBroker Bill Fandel is the onewho gets the call.Market Observation:“What you’re seeing in theTelluride market is well-heeled

landowners eyeing propertiesthat are favorably priced withthe ultimate goal of putting inplace some sort of conservationplan. I love working with thistype of buyer.”

Raich Montana Propertieswww.rmpmontana.com(406) 223-84182011 Sales: < $50 MillionWho: Tracy Raich deals inranches and recreational land in Montana’s Paradise Valley. Philosophy: As a one-personfirm, the focus is on personalattention for each client insteadof volume. Raich has extensiveexpertise on the area. Insights: Raich enjoyed steadybusiness during a down year.“There will be continuedinvestment in this market,which may result in a depletionof inventory and make trulyamazing ranch and recreationalproperties a scarcity,” she says.

Ranch Marketing Associateswww.rmabrokers.com(970) 535-08812011 Sales: < $50 MillionWho: Focuses on marketingagricultural, recreational, andworking ranches and sportingproperties throughout the West.Highlight: Two listings on LandReport Top Ten. See page 22. Standout Broker: Ron Morrisreceived a special achievementaward from the ColoradoRealtors Land Institute.

Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estatewww.vailrealestate.com(888) 773-82732011 Sales: < $50 MillionWho: Vail’s first brokerageremains its largest. The RanchDivision handles trophy ranchesand luxury properties.Highlight: Offering The Ranchon Sweetwater for $8.7 million.