Many markets within the Western states are waning from the stress of few to little land sales. In the local markets of Idaho there are up to 35 years of inventory and longer in rural small town communities. The question here is: Not what land is for sale but rather whose cash is for sale. I have cash and it is for sale to the highest bidders who brings me the largest acreage with the greatest list of amenities. Is that not what you are thinking? I have cash who wants it the most! If you are a seller and don’t need the sale take the property off the market you are contributing to an oversupply.

If you are a buyer consider making lots of offers on virtually every property out there for dirt cheap and flush out the sellers that need your cash. If the offers are really low don’t bother to even look at them until you receive a response. Naturally, 99% will be rejected but that 1% might be a winner. Your broker will need to advise you on how to steer clear of specific performance clauses within the contract. Usually this is done with an inspection contingency of a period of days with all good faith deposits to be made only after you approve in writing of the properties condition. (more…)

Many people want to buy land for it is a good investment property. You can lease it as raw land. Or you can always construct a building or home to rent it out for commercial or residential uses. If you are smart on investing, you will probably know that a raw land has many uses.

However, if you plan to construct a structure on it, you need to know that there are certain preparations that need to be done. You need to know them as the activities for preparation can highly affect your budget. (more…)

Many people want to buy land for it is a good investment property. You can lease it as raw land. Or you can always construct a building or home to rent it out for commercial or residential uses. If you are smart on investing, you will probably know that a raw land has many uses.

However, if you plan to construct a structure on it, you need to know that there are certain preparations that need to be done. You need to know them as the activities for preparation can highly affect your budget. (more…)

At the peak of the last new home market cycle, many projects were stopped and ultimately could not be built out. Those same finished lots today are now very sought after. My estimate is that finished lots in the best core home building markets are going to be acquired quickly and will push the market edges out to the perimeter markets. Regardless of where they are, most likely they present opportunities because they simply are irreplaceable at current costs.

There are a number of key factors and components in determining the value of a finished lot and a mistake in that analysis can be damaging. A lot has changed in the past year in the area of impact fees associated with home building in California and land development. What has not changed is that fees are still a big component of the finishing costs. However, it is more challenging to fully understand what fees may remain on a partially completed or improved project. Some fees may have been paid in advance and others have changed. (more…)

Amidst the pressing issues on economic and financial downturn, there are still industries that offer amenable choices for real property investment. For instance, buying a good parcel of land is quite a profitable venture especially if you wanted a long-term investment to start with. Hence, before plunging into more transactions and finalization of your plans, know the different pointers included in the checklist for productive and highly valuable land buying venture.

Before you buy a piece of land, regardless of its worth and expanse, it is imperative that you basically comply with the zoning requirements. Always consult and check with your local authorities from the city, county or state as to the zoning ordinances observed and implemented in the area. This will serve as your safety net as well as guidelines regarding the appropriate and amenable type of residence you will eventually decide to construct on the land. There are states and areas which have stringent standards and regulations particularly on the construction permit they issue to those who are planning to build a residence within their jurisdiction. (more…)

In stark contrast with other more high profile Latin American countries, such as Costa Rica and Panama, that attract lots o f expats looking for a second home or ways to stretch their dollar in retirement, Equator is relatively overlooked. The both adds to the country’s charm and makes it a great opportunity to own land and live in a country with one of the lowest costs of living in the world. This is despite an incredibly beautiful landscape, miles of tropical coastline, and a great climate.

You won’t find large gated communities that keep wealthier expats separated from the surrounding community here, but you will find a unique experience that you can get only a few places in the world. (more…)

Why do land boundaries sometimes conflict? Most often, boundary disputes arise after confusing legal descriptions cause two landowners to lay claim to the same tract of land. The deeds in question may actually describe the same area of land, or a confusing description may simply cause two landowners without an adequate background in reading such descriptions to believe that the land is theirs. Faulty legal descriptions may have been written and recorded by people lacking proper qualifications, such as laypeople without surveying experience.

Many such cases arose in the history of the United States, particularly when land was granted by European government officials who had not actually visited North America and were relying on inaccurate maps. In addition, historical methods of land surveying, such as the metes and bounds system, relied on monuments likely to change over time, such as trees. Such descriptions of the land may be difficult or impossible to decipher based on today’s geographical realities. (more…)

Up until 2006, it had been 30 years since the Florida Supreme Court was faced with a case about eminent domain for private development. It had never been an issue until development firm “Viking Inlet Harbor Properties” combined forces with the now former, Riviera Beach, Mayor Michael Brown to exploit and capitalize on this century old property law.

The Viking group had already sunk $50 million into the acquisition of property, engineering and planning fees for a proposed $2.4 billion project that would reface the marina district with luxury condominiums, single-family homes, hotels, offices, shops and yachting facilities. This undertaking would transform 400 acres of waterfront property in one of the poorest cities in Palm Beach County into a veritable country club, but not without a price. In order to complete the project about 1,700 homes had to be removed, and about 5,100 residents would be forced to sell their homes and relocate. Mayor Brown assured Viking that the city could use eminent domain to acquire the additional properties. (more…)

The average real estate investor uses real estate to establish a solid foundation for future riches. By “future” I mean decades down the road, in most cases. So, why do some investors opt for purchasing land as opposed to rentals or multiple family dwellings? Well, the answer may entice to you use this exact tactic in setting up your future financial plans.

Purchasing a small acreage that is already incorporated in the municipality is a great way to create money in your purchase. By doing this, you are basically acquiring a piece of ground that you can subdivide and sell lots from, multiplying the opportunity to make money from the same parcel over and over again. Usually these types of parcels are surrounded by lighter density urban development, know as urban sprawl. Municipalities are eager to fill them in to increase their tax base, so they are generally more likely to approve your subdivision request. (more…)