Rural Land Investment
« Previous EntriesFarmland Caution
Sunday, January 29th, 2012Farmland prices are starting to exhibit bubble-like symptoms. When sale prices exceed levels justified by farming economics, excuses are offered. For example, this parcel is strategically located. This parcel has exceptional productivity. This parcel complements a nearby operation. The underlying reasons appear less convincing. Farming is a cyclical business. Exceptional profit margins may be followed [...]
Timber
Thursday, July 14th, 2011Vacant land is never vacant. The “vacant” term is used to indicate there are no buildings on it, or, in some cases, to indicate there are no man-made improvements. However, nature has a way of providing its own improvements. In much of the U.S. and Canada, where I invest in vacant land, the natural state [...]
Precious Metals vs. Land
Sunday, June 19th, 2011If you believe, as I do, that world fiat currencies are in danger of collapse, the next question becomes, what do I invest in? I have mentioned previously that I recommend precious metals – gold and silver – or land. I came across some anecdotal information that might help clarify which you should be investing [...]
Real Estate Bundle of Rights
Saturday, June 4th, 2011Real estate ownership constitutes a “bundle of rights.” Most real estate investors strive to own property in “fee simple.” That means they own all of the rights associated with that particular property. As an investor in vacant land, I typically strive to own in fee simple. However, sometimes that is not possible. The “right” most [...]
Land Valuation
Sunday, April 17th, 2011For those considering investing in vacant land, you want to know what land is worth. You want to know if you should pay the asking price for land that is for sale, or you want to know how much you should offer for land you are interested in buying. Let me make several comments regarding [...]
I Can’t Sell It!
Thursday, April 7th, 2011You bought vacant land as an investment. Now, you want to sell it. There are no buyers. What do you do? This scenario is not unusual in this economic environment. You would be amazed how many people are out there trying to sell something – anything – to raise cash. Everyone wants to convert their [...]
Inter-Generational Assets
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011The Robinson family owns 103,000 acres in Hawaii – an entire island! Can you imagine what that is worth today? Well, I frankly don’t know what it is worth today, but if it is worth $1,000 per acre, which seems low, it would be worth over $100 million. Does your family own 103,000 acres? Why [...]
Vacant Land Lenders
Monday, April 4th, 2011Buying land on credit is different than buying your home. Many people get discouraged when trying to find a lender that will finance vacant land. Since I wrote my book, the lending environment has changed drastically. Lenders, in general, have become very conservative. Under pressure from regulators, they are turning down loans they may have [...]
Worthless land
Friday, April 1st, 2011When I mention that I invest in vacant land, most people assume I buy development land. I rarely buy development land. Why? Because it rarely meets my investment criteria. As a contrarian investor, I like to buy property that is out of favor among the investing public. That is why I have always been drawn [...]
Bargains
Monday, March 28th, 2011The key to successful vacant land investing is buying at a bargain price. But, in this economic environment, what is a bargain price? We have undergone a dramatic change in the real estate industry in the United States in recent years. This has not been the typical recession. This time, it’s different. We went through [...]
« Previous Entries