News from the Knoff Group

There are some sublime pieces of land located around the Bozeman, Belgrade and Gallatin Valley areas.  Prices are stabilizing and deals are harder to come by.  But having expansive views, clean air and wildlife right out the back door is worth the price.

Big Sky, Little Ranch

Bozeman, Mont., is becoming known as the place to buy a ranchette, a smaller, more-connected alternative to living on one of the state’s famous sprawling ranches – ByCaroline Porter Jan. 2, 2014 7:40 p.m. ET

Life on Montana’s sprawling ranches and open ranges is being trimmed down in the mountain town of Bozeman, where some homeowners are choosing another lifestyle: the ranchette.

One part city home and one part ranch, the ranchette is a compromise for homeowners looking for a taste of the Montana lifestyle with the conveniences of Bozeman’s downtown district. Such properties are typically situated within a 10-to-15-minute drive to Main Street, and come with land from 10 to 50 acres, rather than in the thousands. Still, the properties tend to boast mountain views and quick access to sports and outdoor activities.”It’s not a giant, unmanageable piece of land,” said Ben Heller, who purchased 28 acres with a main house and a guesthouse for $1.6 million with his wife, Colby Hall, in 2012. Their second home is surrounded by farm land, mountains and two creeks.

Read MORE>>  Big Sky, Little Ranch – WSJ.com.