Ranching In Alberta Alberta ranching has a long and prosperous history, in the 1860s the Canadian government encouraged ranchers to move their cattle out onto the pastures of “new frontier.” Nowadays ranching is more accessible than ever before and let’s face it, if there is an idyllic place to move to within Canada, you can’t beat Alberta. With stunning alpine forests and the Rocky Mountains at your doorstep, it’s the ideal place to find options when considering a search for an Alberta ranch for sale, by looking through our choices of land you may just find the perfectly located Foothills ranch for sale. So Why Choose The Alberta Ranching Life? The ranching business is complex, finding the right land for either cattle or crops can often be a challenge. Too often we find limited parcels of land unsuitable for grazing cattle due to their size, quality, or location. You may find what you are looking for in Canada’s fourth-largest province, standing at over 661,000 km squared, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to looking for your dream Alberta ranch for sale. With the awe-inspiring landscape available to potential land buyers, it’s little wonder as to why Alberta is becoming the interprovincial mecca of all the Canadian provinces. Its lush lands, set in the base of the Rocky Mountains contain some of the most fertile soils in the province, allowing for crop growth and lush grazing pastures for your potential livestock. Depending on your location within the province, rainfall can vary greatly. Finding a foothills ranch for sale, with good grassland and dependable rainfall is the goal of every selective ranch-minded land buyer. To the south, the rolling hills and flat prairies are perfect for sheep, goats, and even the majestic bison, which has made a positive return in the last few years. The southern and northern parts of Alberta have long held a history of mixed farming. This is a healthy balance of both agricultural crops harvesting as well as ranching due to the fair-weather conditions throughout the year. Most of the south-eastern portion of the province relies on irrigation for cropland. The lower levels of precipitation mean that the grasses are not as lush as in areas where they typically have more rainfall. The grass in these regions is a more hardy variety of grass. Ranchers will require more land for grazing in these areas as it will not support as many cattle and overgrazing will stunt the regrowth of the grasses for years. A New Life Re-Imagined Alberta Ranching could be the next big step towards living a more fulfilling and wholesome life, only in people’s dreams could they sit on their front porch gazing out over the vast swathes of the land that they own, whilst their livestock grazes happily out on the open pasture. It’s a little cliché you might think, but that’s what you and your family could have if you choose to make the move to Alberta and purchase an Alberta ranch for sale. Whether it’s a beautiful foothills ranch for sale or a large parcel of land to realize your other dreams of farming or recreation, our brokers have all the knowledge you need to get started. Contact us to get in touch today!
Agriculture In Alberta When thinking of Alberta’s landscape and Alberta land for sale, lush, green pastures and fields of wheat swaying gently in the breeze come to mind. That’s because Alberta’s agricultural heritage is still rich and thriving, and includes everything from wheat, honey, and sugar beets, to beef, bison, and pork. With a high percentage of its economy dedicated to farming, ranching, and grazing, Alberta is the perfect place to try your hand at growing crops or raising livestock. Alberta Farms For Sale Include Honey And Sugar Beets Alberta is also the largest honey-producing province in Canada, producing approximately 40 percent of the country’s total honey. With an estimated 275,000 beehives throughout the province producing an average of 141 pounds per hive annually, Alberta maintains its reputation as one of the most agriculturally fertile and diverse areas of the country for growers and farmers alike. Additionally, there are approximately 250 sugar beet growers in southern Alberta, growing approximately 35,000 acres of the crop. Alberta farms for sale offer a wide variety of farming options! In addition to a long growing season, few diseases, great soil, and warm summers, Alberta also has quality irrigation water and the perfect weather for growing or ranching. As Canada’s second-largest agricultural producer, and one of the world’s most agricultural economies, Alberta has made a name for itself as one of the most fertile locations in the country for grazing and agriculture. According to the most recent numbers, there are over 70,000 farmers in Alberta, and 31.3% of its total farm area is maintained for the production of agricultural products, making Alberta land for sale a highly attractive offer for anyone interested in working in one of these industries. Alberta’s Agricultural Exports Include Wheat, Barley, & Oats Alberta has so many grazing leases for sale! The primary crops that are grown in Alberta are canola, wheat, and barley. In fact, In 2019, the exports from Alberta into the rest of Canada totalled $11.4 billion, with the province producing 32 percent of Canadian wheat, 29 percent of canola, 48 percent of the nation’s barley, and 20 percent of Canada’s oats. Alberta is also the largest in cattle and calf inventory, having more than 40 percent of Canada’s total. That’s why so many buyers are interested in Alberta grazing leases for sale and Alberta farms for sale. If you’re looking to take advantage of Alberta’s agricultural landscape, we at Hansen Land Brokers are here to help you find the perfect Alberta land for sale that meets your needs. For over 30 years, we have served clients who prefer to work with experts in local land sales. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you become a landowner today.
Becoming a landlord in Alberta can be a lucrative and rewarding decision, as long as you cover a few important bases beforehand. These include understanding the law as it relates to your rights and responsibilities as a landlord, doing your research and considering market conditions before purchasing acreages for sale in Alberta or an Alberta Grazing Lease For Sale. Understand The Law If you are purchasing land and intending to rent out a residence, the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) is a law that dictates the rights and responsibilities that apply to landlords and tenants. To clarify the details related to the RTA, the government of Alberta published this consumer tips sheet for an overview of the rules and rights that apply to landlords throughout the province. According to the law, a landlord may be an individual, a group of people, or a corporation. The RTA states that to qualify as a landlord, the individual or entity must meet one of the following criteria: the current or new owner of the rental premises the property manager who acts as an agent for the owner the person who rents out the rental premises any person other than the owner who falls within the definition of a landlord in the Act Note that if a property manager acts as an agent for you as a landlord, that manager must have a license from the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). This will allow the property manager to lease, negotiate, and approve the rental of real estate, as well as collect rent, hold rent, and advertise the property. Research Before Purchasing To succeed in the rental market, you’ll need to conduct research before purchasing the property, whether it’s an Acreages for sale in Alberta, Alberta Grazing Lease For Sale, or Alberta farms for sale. Without this research, you could end up making a purchase that fails to have the potential for cash flow under present market conditions. As you research, focus on the following questions: Is it within my budget? It’s important to understand before you invest in a property that even if the property you purchase sits vacant, you’ll still be responsible for mortgage payments, utilities, and property taxes. Additionally, keep in mind that being a landlord involves many additional expenses, including: Landlord insurance for accidents, sudden loss, and liability Maintenance and repair costs Rental licensing, mandatory inspections, and annual registration fees Property and rental income taxes. Bookkeeping or accounting fees (if you don’t do them yourself) Property management fees (if you choose to hire a property manager) Legal fees for lease review and in the event of an eviction Does the property offer a high return on investment? What sort of repairs would be needed to make the property habitable or viable for farming? Is there a demand for a rental property of this type? What can I expect to get in rent for this property? This amount is completely market-driven and can best be researched by looking at the current rental market in the immediate area of your investment property. Ready To Purchase Whether you are a current landlord looking to invest in additional properties or deciding to become a landlord for the first time, it helps to have professionals in your corner that can help you find the perfect investment. Our brokers at Hansen Land are experts in the market surrounding an Alberta Grazing Lease For Sale, Acreages For Sale in Alberta, and Alberta Farms For Sale. We are here to help you make all the best decisions when wanting to buy or sell land in Alberta! Contact us today for more details.
Things to Consider Before Buying An Alberta Ranch For Sale Buying a foothills ranch for sale or similar property in Alberta for agricultural purposes can be a complicated process, especially since a lot of research is involved before the purchase is made. If you are in the process of considering an Alberta ranch for sale or farm auction in Alberta, here are some important steps you’ll need to take to ensure your investment is a sound one. For more information, you can access a legal guide with more specific details relating to your purchase. View The Parcel Map Looking over the parcel map will give you some of the data needed regarding road access and whether the property is landlocked. If it is, you’ll need to obtain legal permission from a neighboring property owner to use their property to get to yours if you don’t want to run into any future problems related to access. Find Out Which Rights Are Included In A Foothills Ranch For Sale If you plan to have livestock when deciding to purchase a foothills ranch for sale, access to sufficient clean water is important. For this reason, be sure to research any pipeline easements or mineral rights or other potential easement concerns granted for your property. The water and soil of the land that has been mined or contains pipelines could be negatively affected. Also, since mineral rights can be given to an individual who doesn’t own the land, you’ll want to make sure that you’re aware of any current leases that might be in effect. If there are mineral rights leases given for your property, check and see if there is a surface lease, and if so, what the terms are. All of these details could end up affecting your use of the property. Another important thing before making a decision regarding farmland for sale is to check into riparian rights, which are the rights of landowners to use water that is on or runs through their property. This includes any bodies of water, such as ponds or creeks. Order The Necessary Inspections & Tests Any buildings that are on the property should be completely inspected to ensure their integrity. You’ll also want to ensure that the septic system (if applicable) is inspected and is in working order. You will most likely want to see records for regular service/cleaning of the holding tank and possibly a percolation test to show the function of the septic field. Water potability tests and flow tests are often required, especially if they will be used for residential purposes. You may want an environmental inspection if there are concerns about possible contamination. If you are considering purchasing from a farm auction in Alberta, you will want to perform all necessary inspections prior to bidding as most auction sales are firm deals for the highest bidder. Find The Right Lender Some lenders will not work with buyers who plan to purchase land for agricultural or livestock purposes, so make sure that your lender makes loans on ranches, farms, or rural properties. Your agent or broker should be able to direct you to several options if you’re unsure. Find The Right Broker When buying land for sale, it helps to have professionals in your corner that can help you navigate such difficult options. Our brokers at Hansen Land are here to help you make all the best decisions when considering an Alberta ranch for sale or bidding on-farm auctions in Alberta. Contact us today for more details or visit our auctions page to see how Hansen Land brokers become involved in many of these sales!
There is a Latin phrase that applies to land ownership that has been around since the 13th century. That phrase, cuius est solum, eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos, means “whoever owns the soil, it is theirs up to Heaven and down to Hell.” While the phrase was not a part of early Roman law, it gained wider popularity in the book, Commentaries on the Laws of England (1766), setting the stage for its application across the colonies and lands of the British Empire. “Heaven To Hell” Doctrine & Property Rights What this means in a legal sense is when you purchase auction properties or land for sale by owner in Alberta, you not only own the surface of that land, you also own the land that extends from the center of the Earth to the outer edge of the atmosphere. This is known as the “heaven to hell” concept and concerns the combination of surface rights and mineral rights. As you can imagine, from the moment the Wright brothers made their famous first airborne flights, landowners began suing for property trespassing. As air travel became more common and commercial, through multiple legal battles (including one in the United States Supreme Court), the “ad coelum” part of the doctrine no longer applied. The ad inferos part remains in effect today, with a few exceptions. In Alberta, when land is purchased, the owner has rights to the sand, gravel, peat, clay, or marl that can be excavated for that land. However, according to Alberta law, surface rights of auction properties or land for sale by owner in Alberta do not include ownership of minerals that may be found beneath. Ownership of such minerals can only happen if the title to the land does not contain what is known as a “mineral reservation,” which is a phrase that normally includes wording such as “excepting there out all mines and minerals.” Mineral Rights When granted mineral rights to land purchased in Alberta, the land title will state specifically which minerals are included. Sometimes it is only one mineral, while other titles might specify several or all minerals. Some titles are retained for rights to mineral ownership only, so the title would be phrased accordingly. The main exceptions to mineral rights that are granted include any gold or silver that is found, as these are the property of the Crown. Whenever land is purchased in the province, whether it is auction properties or land for sale by owner in Alberta, the Land Titles Offices will issue mineral certificates (if any are given) when the title is transferred. According to Alberta law, “A mineral certificate certifies precisely what minerals are owned in a specific parcel of land and by whom, on a specific date, and what mines and minerals are shown in the disposition.” When titles are transferred, they will explicitly state “surface only” or “minerals only” in the phrasing. Development Land For Sale In Edmonton And Other Major Cities In large cities where the downtown core is on the rise, development land for sale Edmonton and Calgary bring into effect the air rights of properties. Where land becomes extremely valuable, the only viable option for development is to capitalize on space above ground. Developers are becoming creative with skywalks and bridging between skyrise buildings to create more overhead space. The laws are having to adjust with technology to encompass these trends. Although the concept of heaven to hell still applies for most properties, it is important to understand situations where these may vary. Land Brokers Help When buying land for sale it helps to have professionals in your corner that can help you navigate such difficult terrain. Our brokers at Hansen Land are here to help you make all the best decisions when wanting to buy or sell land in Alberta! Contact us today for more details.
With its abundant natural resources and beautiful scenery, it’s easy to see why Alberta farm land for sale is such an attractive concept to many, including foreign investors. However, Alberta law offers explicit guidelines on the extent of land that can be purchased by foreign investors, whether individuals or corporate entities and failure to comply with these guidelines can include a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to one year or both. Additionally, the Criminal Code sets a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment for swearing a false declaration relating to beneficial shares of Alberta landholdings. Legislation Relating to Land for Sale by Owner To ensure that Alberta land sold to foreign investors would be limited, would not include Crown land for sale, and would remain available for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, two pieces of legislation were passed: The Agricultural and Recreational Land Ownership Act and Foreign Ownership of Land Regulations. These policies guarantee that with stipulations, land for sale by owner in Alberta is available to foreign investors, particularly those interested in joint business ventures between non-Canadian enterprises and Alberta companies. Part of the stipulations states that when buying land for sale by owner, farm land for sale, or other land in Alberta, foreign citizens and foreign-controlled corporations may own up to two parcels of controlled land, not exceeding 20 acres in total. Regulations Regarding Foreign Ownership While the legislation allows limited ownership of Alberta land for non-Canadian citizens and corporations, there are regulations in keeping three types of land from foreign investors. These types include: Land of the Crown in right of Alberta (or Crown land for sale) Land within the boundaries of a city, town, new town, village or summer village Mines and minerals Additionally, it’s important to note that the definition of a foreign-controlled corporation is a corporation in which the share ownership is 50% or more controlled by foreign entities. For public corporations with shares traded on the Canadian Stock Exchange, only shareholders owning 5% or more of the total shares are considered in land ownership regulations, provided that two-thirds of the directors are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Exemptions to the Regulations There are a few exemptions to note concerning foreign ownership of Alberta lands or farm land for sale, such as in cases of a foreign investor or foreign corporation acquiring an interest in controlled land for pipelines, oil and gas processing plants, refineries, power plants, electric distribution systems or extractions of coal and aggregates. There are also conditions in which industrial processing, manufacturing, commercial or transportation facilities, and residential subdivisions are exempt from these regulations, as well.
The Specialty of Selling and Purchasing Rural Property in Alberta Selling and purchasing Alberta acreages for sale outside of urban centers has additional challenges from those of in-town property, and it requires specific knowledge in order to facilitate the acquisition of these often larger parcels when buying land in Alberta. First of all, the way in which a broker undertakes the assessment of current market value when buying land in Alberta is based on a complete understanding of the location in proximity to various contributing factors of value: Road access, possible use of the land for sale, topography, the availability of water, quality of water, utilities, environmental concerns, wildlife, future development potential, rights of way, surface leases, zoning, soil quality, distance to amenities, and so on. Site improvements in the way of houses, outbuildings, infrastructure for agricultural or industrial use are taken into consideration based on criteria other than just replacement costs when considering Alberta acreages for sale. Varied uses contribute differently to the way in which parcels of land for sale can be packaged. Alberta ranches for sale are theoretically carefully assembled collections of connecting parcels of land that can handle a cattle operation. This is typically a combination of wild grass pastures, some hayland, and varied topography with a mix of trees and a good water supply that can adequately support the safe and healthy fostering of a strong herd. Alberta’s grain farms are ideally set up in an area with a fairly reliable amount of precipitation to support the growth of high yielding crops. When buying land in Alberta, recreational land for sale is popular in the Foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. These lands are rich with vegetation, surface water, and widely varied topography to support the wildlife and to increase the enjoyment of the land while exploring on foot, or ATV, or horseback. Lastly, there are many factors involved in Alberta acreages for sale like taxations not applicable to residential homes. Capital gains, GST, and corporate taxes require the involvement of lawyers, accountants, and specialized estate planning. The liability of working in such a highly specialized field requires professionals that understand the process and are capable of negotiating terms and conditions that are favorable to the seller and purchaser. Land brokers require training or ample experience specific to the industry in order to adequately represent their clients.
The Line Fence Act The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly About Owning Fenced-in Land in Alberta A question that often comes up for landowners, or anyone interested in acreages for sale in Alberta, is the legislation surrounding The Line Fence Act (2016). One of the main reasons the rules are often questioned and debated is that the law comes across as ambiguous. As a result, few disputes end up in court, so the assumption is that good-neighbor policies typically win out. The legislation guiding The Line Fence Act serves two purposes regarding property boundary issues in Alberta and remains a major consideration for buyers when considering Alberta land for sale. On the one hand, it provides guidelines for erecting a visible rail (also known as a dropper or batten) between fence posts on wire fences placed across trails that are used by the public, such as those seen in many of Canada’s national parks. A separate subsection of the Act concerns mandates regarding erection, maintenance, and repair of line fences placed to keep livestock from leaving a certain boundary. Ultimately, The Line Fence Act rules require that landowners with adjoining property share financial and maintenance responsibility when both benefit from the fence. If this mutual benefit is not present at first, the Act requires that landowners share responsibility and costs as soon as the benefit is received by the other party. Sometimes, the scope of “benefit” is ambiguous, causing interpretation of the Act to follow a similar path. Such cases require excessive proof that either (or both) of the landowners is benefitting from the fence structure. If there is disagreement about the benefit between the landowners, then The Line Fence Act requires an arbitration to settle the dispute. This process generally involves surveying the land to determine the proper location for placement of a fence, in a way that does not affect “title to the land”. This effort can take considerable time and money – two things that lawsuit opponents generally don’t have. Additionally, since survey results can vary, even this course of action doesn’t always fully satisfy the courts in a mediated trial. There can always be the matter of “he said, she said,” where landowner disputes are questioned, putting a legal dispute into extended months of litigation. The most important thing to know about the Line Fence Act, especially if you are concerned with buying land in Alberta, is that the presence of a fence involves considerable time and money costs. If the benefit is shared with a nearby landowner, there is no reason to take the burden of responsibility entirely upon yourself. Canadian law backs you up, on this point. At Hansen Land Brokers, Inc., we make it our priority to keep up with the latest legislation and legal struggles affecting our past, present, and future clients. Not only does this keep us ahead of the curve, but it also keeps our clients in the know about laws that will affect their bottom line. In addition, we offer farm auctions in Alberta and consultation on land-based assets to maximize market value.
To Buy or Not to Buy – That Is The Question There’s a new trend among Canadian Millennials that might come as a surprise to some but makes complete sense in an era focused on greener lifestyles and a return to more sustainable living. The trend is this: Canadian Millennials are finding their way out of urban areas and looking more intently at buying recreational land, particularly in remote areas like Alberta and bare land for sale in Rockyview. With new lifestyle focuses like modular or tiny houses, recreational vehicle living, or other types of housing that does not require as much of a significant income or down payment, such recreational land use is a trend that seems here to stay – particularly during downturned markets due to COVID-19. Some of the movement toward recreational land has to do with rising home prices in larger, more urban, and densely populated areas. For example, according to this article in Western Investor, declining residential resale prices in Calgary will “stabilize” by the end of 2019 and then rise slowly in 2020 and 2021, as predicted by the federal housing agency. When the global pandemic is not affecting economies to such an extent, these rising prices might change, but it seems we might be riding that wave for some time. Meanwhile, land auctions in Alberta offer Millennials the opportunity to look for rural, extensive land tracks that provide the area and space to practice sustainable living or multiple families modular housing for less (or shared) costs. It’s a new way of living that is taking over and you’d almost need to experience it to understand the upside. This article from the New York Times shows how some Millennials are putting a lot of thought into where they want to invest in land, particularly as it relates to surrounding natural resources. Such resources make farms and ranches for sale in Alberta prime locations for forward-thinking buyers, particularly those focused on decreased resources in the coming years due to climate change. According to the article, Millennials have studied maps and researched areas that will be less likely to be affected by climate change devastation, or that have more supply of natural resources than what is offered in more urban, densely populated locations. Whether this involves buying undeveloped land or auction properties offering extensive tracts for a discounted price, some are approaching the concept from the mindset of a survivalist. This might involve looking for a fertile area to grow their own food, land that is on high ground, or land-based resources to make their own electricity, including solar power. Many Canadian Millennials are also looking into the concept of shared space, allowing multiple individuals or families to live off of acreage and share the work involved to keep it operational as a farm, ranch, or similar property. At Hansen Land Brokers, we have more than 30 years’ experience helping to match the perfect acreage in Alberta with landowners wishing to enjoy the beauty and splendor of Western Canada. Contact us today for information about auction properties or recreational land for sale in the province. We’d love to share our expertise to match with the exact property you are looking for!
Land Surveying It is often said that the work of a land surveyor is never done. As long as there is land, we will need these helpful professionals to help sort out what our land really equates to. If you are looking at land for sale in Alberta, chances are that you want to know precisely what you are investing in. Thanks to the work done by land surveyors, you can make informed decisions. Whether it is an Alberta farm sale or traditional Alberta land sale, you are relying on their expertise. In this article, we will discuss what these professionals do and how they help us to invest in property more effectively. What Are Land Surveyors? Land surveyors are engineers who specialize in reviewing and recreating in-depth breakdowns of property. They are known for making property measurements, analyzing property features, and documenting every three-dimensional element of a piece of property. If you have ever ended up in a property dispute with a neighbor, it is the work done by property surveyors that will help to settle the discussion. Before you go looking for Alberta land for sale, make sure you talk to the professionals. Real Property Reports One major area of focus for land surveyors is the creation of real property reports (RPRs). A real property report is a detailed technical breakdown of a specific piece of property. For this report, land surveyors will review the land, identify any boundaries, and recreate all features that might be of interest. On these reports, they will draw to scale any structures and notable property features that might influence the land as an investment. When you look for Alberta farms for sale, you want to know what you are truly investing in. These reports will also help to identify problems with the County that might require an investment from a new owner. Overall, these reports can help someone looking to buy land in Alberta to make an informed decision regarding the property’s actual value. Conclusion Land surveyors play a vital role in ensuring property value. With their help, we are able to more easily see a good investment from a bad one. There is plenty of great Alberta land for sale, but it is important to remain vigilant and trust in the information provided by land surveyors when making a purchase. They work to understand and define property in a way that goes well beyond what can be seen with the naked eye and should always be a part of your decision.
