Post: #1

I have come into some raw land but wanna know some great ideas as to how to utilize this land to greatest benefit: capital gains techniques, leasing, finding parties to search for minerals and/or other things of value on it, putting structures on it, valuation, parties who buy land or broker it, et al. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

Post: #2

How much land and where is it located ? In a city or close to one ? Or is it just farm land way out in the country ?

Post: #3

(03-11-2013 03:44 PM)BIGINJAPAN Wrote:  How much land and where is it located ? In a city or close to one ? Or is it just farm land way out in the country ?

A couple acres of land and it's out in a totally rural area. what do you think?

Post: #4

I always wanted to make a sick paintball course if I had quite a bit of land but I dont think that translates into dollars and cents very well.

Post: #5

(03-11-2013 04:23 PM)Prince X Wrote:  

(03-11-2013 03:44 PM)BIGINJAPAN Wrote:  How much land and where is it located ? In a city or close to one ? Or is it just farm land way out in the country ?

A couple acres of land and it's out in a totally rural area. what do you think?

Where? I have land too the where makes a big difference. Near water? Street? Trees? Tropical?

Post: #6

(03-10-2013 03:20 PM)Prince X Wrote:  I have come into some raw land but wanna know some great ideas as to how to utilize this land to greatest benefit:

Not sure how talking about this in vague terms will help.

We kind of have to know exactly where it is.

Is it on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach?

Or in The Pampas of Argentina?

That would make a big difference in how you will "utilize this land to greatest benefit".

Post: #7

Well you would have to check with your county first for guidelines on sub-dividing the property. They usually have a minimum size for acreages. If you can divide the land into smaller sections you can sell them off once you have done all the paperwork. Although you won't get too big if a pay day on that process alone.

You could go further into development and bring all utilities to the different parcels of land. One of the first things you should check is where the closet utility lines are. You need water, gas, electrical and sewer. You might already have some of those running right to the property line. If you are really far out then you won't need sewer lines, but you will need to put in septic systems. Same goes for water, you will have to develop wells.

Banks won't finance you for that kind of work usually. But if the land is paid off you could get an equity loan from a private lender. But again the price for installing utilities is quite pricey. I am doing an acreage development and for 3 lots it cost me $25,000 just for the water alone.

Figure out the price of acreage lots in the area and then talk to some contractors to see how much utility work costs. If the numbers add up and you will be in the black then by all means go ahead. Be sure to include the costs of permits, taxes and application costs.

If it's not worth it and the taxes are low on it you could pop a large greenhouse or something along those lines on the property. You could rent it out to a tenant for commercial use or grow organic food yourself and sell it. You could build your own house as well, live in it a bit and then sell it off. You could have some sort of storage business on it.

Really you need to talk to the county first and see what is permissible. It is strange to me that you can own a piece of land way out in the country and yet some governing body gets to decide what you can and can't do on your own property.

If all else fails then build a corn maze and charge 5 bucks an entry.

Post: #8

yeah I will get more in depth on the details as I find out more myself. I just came into it and wanted to see what general feedback I could get on this. It is in an extremely rural area in VA though. Doesn't seem to be near too much. Will get more info though so people can have more to go on. thanks.

(03-11-2013 04:34 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(03-10-2013 03:20 PM)Prince X Wrote:  I have come into some raw land but wanna know some great ideas as to how to utilize this land to greatest benefit:

Not sure how talking about this in vague terms will help.

We kind of have to know exactly where it is.

Is it on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach?

Or in The Pampas of Argentina?

That would make a big difference in how you will "utilize this land to greatest benefit".

Post: #9

In rural Virginia. Near? Lots of trees. Maybe sell off some of it for lumber for starters?

(03-11-2013 04:32 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(03-11-2013 04:23 PM)Prince X Wrote:  

(03-11-2013 03:44 PM)BIGINJAPAN Wrote:  How much land and where is it located ? In a city or close to one ? Or is it just farm land way out in the country ?

A couple acres of land and it's out in a totally rural area. what do you think?

Where? I have land too the where makes a big difference. Near water? Street? Trees? Tropical?

Post: #10

(03-11-2013 05:03 PM)Prince X Wrote:  yeah I will get more in depth on the details as I find out more myself. I just came into it and wanted to see what general feedback I could get on this. It is in an extremely rural area in VA though. Doesn't seem to be near too much. Will get more info though so people can have more to go on. thanks.

(03-11-2013 04:34 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(03-10-2013 03:20 PM)Prince X Wrote:  I have come into some raw land but wanna know some great ideas as to how to utilize this land to greatest benefit:

Not sure how talking about this in vague terms will help.

We kind of have to know exactly where it is.

Is it on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach?

Or in The Pampas of Argentina?

That would make a big difference in how you will "utilize this land to greatest benefit".

You could always turn it into a monster weed farm.

Which is probably the best idea.

Post: #11

LOL. yeah, anybody got snoop's number b/c he'll be my number one G for the commercials/promos. Hey, is it legal in VA? Nah, I couldn't. Tempting though.

(03-11-2013 05:11 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(03-11-2013 05:03 PM)Prince X Wrote:  yeah I will get more in depth on the details as I find out more myself. I just came into it and wanted to see what general feedback I could get on this. It is in an extremely rural area in VA though. Doesn't seem to be near too much. Will get more info though so people can have more to go on. thanks.

(03-11-2013 04:34 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(03-10-2013 03:20 PM)Prince X Wrote:  I have come into some raw land but wanna know some great ideas as to how to utilize this land to greatest benefit:

Not sure how talking about this in vague terms will help.

We kind of have to know exactly where it is.

Is it on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach?

Or in The Pampas of Argentina?

That would make a big difference in how you will "utilize this land to greatest benefit".

You could always turn it into a monster weed farm.

Which is probably the best idea.

Post: #12

2 acres is not a lot of land for commercial purposes. Find out what the zoning is and that will tell you what you can do with it. If you go to the county recorders online site you may be able to look up the zoning by address or the APN (assessors parcel number). Can also call up a title company or land office, not sure what they are called back east, but they can get the info for you and should do it for free.

Post: #13

All property is only worth the cash flow you can make from it. Land is valued by assigning a value that the future developed property will give, via cash flows, then subtracting the total costs it will take to develop to final product.

Personally, I would clear a private area in the middle, put a firepit in, and use it for camping parties.

Post: #14

Hold for water rights (if possible/applicable). This probably less of an issue in VA, but I can see this being more of an issue going forward in areas without a lot of fresh water access or heavy into farmland (think midwest) as the Ogallala Aquifer, which runs from Nebraska to Texas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_Aquifer

Post: #15

Definitely log it, that's some cash for you. Take the debris and chop firewood. Stack it for drying and sell it or use it yourself. I like Cap7's idea too, set up a camp. Probably some good Jeep trails. Plenty of space to shoot guns and blow shit up. The middle of nowhere in the woods is a great place to take mushrooms and chill. Use it as a place to retreat from the city and recharge and hold onto it until an opportunity presents itself.

Post: #16

If you don't know what you are doing re: land usage, zoning, how to negotiate both ends of the deal, contracts, et al, you are 95%+ likely to lose money. As with any other biz investment.

Post: #17

I think he said it's an inheritance. Just hold onto it and eventually a buyer or developer will come along. Until then use it as a place to go caveman, act like a hick, get back to nature. Start an annual overnight campout with your bros, have a bonfire, cook meat over a fire, drink moonshine and bark at the moon.

I knew a guy in Washington state with a place way out in the woods. It was guns, beer and explosives all day and when it got dark amateur hour was over, booze, food, psychadelics, fireworks and stars until dawn. When you wanted to crash you would pretty much have to find a place to hide if you wanted to feel safe.

Post: #18

Maybe you can grow christmas trees or some other low-maintenance project.