What is Acquiring Real Property by Purchase or Gift?
Municipal Acquisition of Real Property in Montana: Legal Guidelines and Appraisal Requirements
A municipal government may also acquire real property by purchasing it from the owner or by receiving it as a gift, grant donation or bequest. Again, in the interests of caution or in highly controversial circumstances, a municipality may wish to follow the procedures legally required of county governments in the acquisition of real property.
• Real property with a value in excess of $20,000 may not be purchased unless it has been
previously appraised by a disinterested “certified general real estate appraiser” or three
disinterested citizens of the county appointed by the district judge.
• The government may not pay more than the appraised value for the real property.
If real property is to be received as a gift, grant donation or bequest, the real property must be administered and used for the particular purpose for which the property was given, donated, granted, devised, or bequeathed. In the event no particular purpose is mentioned in such gift, donation, grant, devise, or bequest, then the property shall be used for the general support, maintenance, or improvement of the city or town, 7‐8‐103, MCA.
• Real property with a value in excess of $20,000 may not be purchased unless it has been
previously appraised by a disinterested “certified general real estate appraiser” or three
disinterested citizens of the county appointed by the district judge.
• The government may not pay more than the appraised value for the real property.
If real property is to be received as a gift, grant donation or bequest, the real property must be administered and used for the particular purpose for which the property was given, donated, granted, devised, or bequeathed. In the event no particular purpose is mentioned in such gift, donation, grant, devise, or bequest, then the property shall be used for the general support, maintenance, or improvement of the city or town, 7‐8‐103, MCA.