Horse breeder specializes in, owns ranch properties

     Prudential Southwest Realty agent Cammie Huckeba's long-time love of horses has translated into a special niche in the Southern Nevada real estate market.
      Her area of emphasis is ranch properties, particularly of the one-half- to 2 1/2-acre variety.
      "(Las Vegas) is growing at such a rapid rate that, as it grows, the surrounding areas where (the ranches) used to be on the outside of town are being surrounded by tract homes," Huckeba said. "Many of the ranches have been bought out or pushed to the outskirts of town."
      She said it is important for buyers looking for a ranch property to find not only one in a horse-zone area, but a property that is also a horse-friendly area. Some areas that are zoned for horses may not contain any horse properties, and having the only horse on the block can cause problems with neighbors.
      Although clients sometimes inquire about larger properties, Las Vegas is home to many miniranches, most being smaller than 5 acres. Huckeba said the half-acre properties are well-suited to someone with the family horse, and some of the larger acreage can be used for breeding or training facilities.
      "People love to live the Western lifestyle, especially people from the East Coast," she said. "Retirees are often interested in horse properties, as are families with children; every child wants a horse at one point."
      Huckeba breeds paint horses, multicolored horses with quarterhorse and thoroughbred bloodlines, on her ranch off Kyle Canyon Road. Her knowledge of the properties, as well as the animals, helps her find just what her customers need.
      "Because I have a breeding ranch myself, I'm more aware of what's needed," she said. "Sometimes the properties are not set up for horses, but I can tell (the client) what they can do to set it up. It is important for an agent to be able to tell the difference between someone who wants one horse and someone who is going to be training or breeding. Any (agent) can put a horse on their card and say they specialize in ranch properties, but it takes more than putting a picture of a horse on your card to understand horse properties."
      Huckeba gladly helps agents that call her with questions.
      "I get a lot of agents that come to me and ask for advice on properties," she said. "I give them information on where they can go for tack stores and feed stores."
      The 33-year Las Vegas resident has been with Prudential Southwest Realty for four years.
      Prudential Southwest Realty has been an affiliate of the Prudential Real Estate network since 1991. The network has more than 1,400 offices and 37,000 sales agents and brokers.