Each Friday, Russ Anderson, the president and CEO of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty and the CEO of Pacific Sotheby's International Realty, writes about luxury, trends, business and more in the advertising pages of the Mansion section of The Wall Street Journal. Below is his letter of August 21, 2026.
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S P.O.V.
Ranches are hotter than ever — and not just as places to get away for a weekend.
Imagine spending all year on one, or half the year in the city and half the year at your ranch. It can really open your mind — and protect your hard-earned cash. Land, you see, is an ultimate investment, as time has proven. To that end, we have an entire division of teams and individuals that specializes in ranches, everything from weekend getaways to working spreads.
Buying and selling these unique places takes a lot of knowledge, access and instincts — and some pretty heroic logistics. A ranch can be thousands of acres of all kinds of terrain, and that takes planning, travel, even special vehicles.
Helicopters are sometimes used to show very large spreads or areas that are hard to get to. Most often, our experts use a UTV — a utility task vehicle, also called a side-by-side. These are open-air vehicles that are like beefed-up golf carts, capable of traversing those terrains. Our advisors will either have them waiting at the property or they’ll trailer them there on the showing day. Boats, too, if there are lakes to explore.
Tough, all-weather clothing for everyone is a must, and snake-proof boots. (Yes, especially in Texas.)
There’s one more thing. A picnic lunch. That’s the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the views and really get to know everyone, whether they are from Texas or Tokyo.
And that’s the best — connecting with people. That’s what land can do. It’s not just an investment — it’s a reset.
Come get reoriented at briggsfreeman.com/ranch.
Russ Anderson
President and CEO, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty
CEO, Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty
PICTURED AT TOP: El Montoso, Chihuahua, Mexico
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