Neighborhood of the week: Ranches

When you think of a ranch, what comes to mind? A thousand-acre spread with herds of cattle peacefully grazing in lush green pastures? Thoroughbred horses galloping across rolling plains? If so, you're right. But ranches are all that, and so much more.

The dictionary defines a ranch as an establishment maintained for raising livestock under range conditions, or a large farm used primarily to raise one kind of crop or animal. But how about dude ranches? Or the homeowner who keeps a couple of horses in Dalton Gardens?

Ranches come in all shapes and sizes, and at a wide range of prices. A ranch is generally defined as property over 20 acres; anything between 5-20 acres is a ranchette.

Owning a ranch is all about lifestyle, said Karen Corcoran, a Realtor with Tomlinson Sotheby's International Realty with a broad background in ranches. "I could talk for hours about horses and cattle," she said.

She has found that most folks interested in owning a ranch don't want to be in the center of what's going on. They're looking for privacy, and a place where they can enjoy the natural surroundings. "They're careful to maintain the surroundings, and not destroy the land," she said.

There are a lot of large parcels available in our area, Corcoran said, many with pristine views of the lakes and mountains around them.

Ranches aren't always "in the boonies," she said. They're often on school bus routes, and not too far from town. "They are everywhere." Places like Hoyt Ranch in Hauser, where homeowners can keep horses on their property and ride trails in the area. Or Dalton Gardens, where children raise 4H animals and compete in the community arena.

Many of the older ranches in our area are still in the cattle business, running cow/calf pairs, Corcoran said. Newer ranches are focusing on animals such as alpaca and llamas. Although few ranchers raise sheep in our area, their numbers are increasing, as their value in controlling weeds becomes more evident. Sheep ranches are usually found further south.

Some ranches are agricultural, raising crops such as wheat, grass, or timber. Property owners can examine the possibility of tax savings through agricultural exemptions that reduce the taxable value of agricultural land, and homeowner exemptions.

Dude ranches form another branch of the ranch family. A dude ranch can be a very lucrative business in this area, Corcoran said, offering their clients opportunities to ride horses, swim, fish, or hunt. Some dude ranches specialize in luxury vacations, while others provide a more authentic and rustic cowboy experience. In the winter, snowmobiles become the steed of choice; in the summer, there are day camps and trail rides. Sometimes dude ranches are working ranches, where guests can experience the lifestyle of an American cowboy by participating in activities such as cattle drives.

There are 16-17 dude ranches in eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana, according to Corcoran. A couple of those could be available for sale but aren't advertised; a Realtor would be able to share that information with you. You won't always see a "For Sale' sign; it seems that folks feel free to drive onto a ranch when they see a sign, whereas they wouldn't walk into a house with the same sign.

Current listings include a five-acre ranch for $449,000 and an $11 million property in Harrison. Or there are hidden gems, like a completely fenced 140-acre estate minutes from town that backs up to national forest land. You'll find the homes on ranches range from luxurious to functional: it all depends on your preference.

On larger parcels, the cost per acre of land is usually less. In outlying areas, you can often find five acres for $250,000-300,000, Corcoran said.

She has owned horses all of her life, raising hunter jumpers and breeding thoroughbreds. "I'm very familiar with what a nice horse or cattle property is, and what's necessary to develop a place like that," she said. Combining that experience with her knowledge of real estate makes her an ideal person to help you buy or sell ranch property. "It's what I love to do," she said, "be out with horses."

So, if you've been considering making the leap from homeowner to rancher, contact Karen Corcoran at (208) 929-2752 for more information about the ranch lifestyle, and the properties that are available. Whether you're considering a new profession, or just want a horse or two for the kids, you'll find a ranch to fit your needs.

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like to see featured in this series, please contact Beth Hanggeli at (208) 659-8367 or bhanggeli@cdapress.com.