Veteran Real Estate Broker Martha Johnson is no stranger to selling some of the most valuable properties in one of the most beautiful locations in the world — Big Sky, Montana.
When she was engaged to represent Freedom Pass, a 260-acre parcel of land, she accepted the opportunity with open arms. Selling land, particularly in the luxury market, can present its own set of challenges.
“It’s a lot more difficult to sell land,” Johnson admits. “You don’t have the bricks and mortar of a finished product. For some people, it’s difficult to envision the beds, baths, kitchens, and decks.”
But Martha Johnson knows Big Sky, Montana — and she certainly knows real estate. She has been working in real estate in the greater Big Sky area for approximately 20 years. As the founder, broker, and owner of Montana Living – Big Sky Real Estate, a top luxury boutique real estate firm, she has a deep understanding of the market and how to sell.
FREEDOM PASS
Freedom Pass is comprised of 260 pristine acres near the renowned Big Sky Resort and the exclusive Yellowstone Club, featuring multiple home sites that uniquely cross both unrestricted land and a prestigious master planned community by way of an expansive ridge. The property is currently divided into 13 lots of 20 acres each, and seven of the lots are within the Big EZ Estates.
Big Sky’s Freedom Pass enjoys unparalleled privacy. “The property is a bowl. You don’t have neighbors looking down or across at you,” Johnson explains.
There is a vast sense of space, with the property being adjacent to breathtaking Gallatin National Forest. Johnson has some ideas for the winning bidder, “Adjacent to the National Forest, this property has the flexibility to put up to 13 home sites for a generational family compound, a big game hunting retreat, or develop and sell home sites.”
Located only minutes by private road from the town of Big Sky, Freedom Pass is in the ideal location to enjoy the unmatched outdoor recreation for which the area is known. Throughout the year, an abundance of outdoor recreation awaits — hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, and more.
“It’s a magical place,” Johnson shares. “Wildflowers are in full bloom. The animals are out. The streams are flowing. It’s beautiful.”
A PROVEN STRATEGY
In 2013, Johnson and the seller of Freedom Pass, Robert Hicks, partnered with Concierge to sell another property in Big Sky. Johnson remembered the successful sale of The Big EZ Lodge, a private, 60-acre retreat. She felt strongly that the defined timeline of the Concierge platform would also be the perfect way to sell Freedom Pass.
Johnson pitched the idea of reuniting with Concierge to Hicks.
“We talked about it at length,” Johnson recalls. “We felt that bringing the team back together from Concierge and myself would be a great way to sell this property on our set timeline and get fair market value.”
Johnson has found that Concierge is another tool she can use to sell real estate. “Concierge’s resources with PR and marketing are accessible. They send a team member out on site for the entire process who literally works side-by-side with me,” she explains. “We talk about all the nuances of the specific property and strategize daily how to best find the buyer. Concierge makes sure that due diligence of the property is communicated accurately to ensure the success of the closing after the auction.”
Freedom Pass will mark her fifth time partnering with Concierge Auctions.
A CANVAS WAITING FOR A PAINTER
Never before offered for sale, Freedom Pass will sell at auction without reserve on August 1st.
“This is a rare opportunity to own 260 acres in the heart of the Yellowstone ecosystem,” Johnson shares, adding one final thought for the winning bidder. “I view land as a canvas. The home is the paint that goes onto the canvas. This is your chance to buy a canvas and paint your dream on it.”