Simple unimproved hunting land. Deer, bear, turkeys, partridge, wolves, bobcat and beaver. I’m not inclined to do any improvements, as it’s landlocked.

I absolutely hate borrowing money. It would mean cashing some retirement funds, without penalties I believe. I’ve been told it’s just changing my investments, but I guess I’m not sure.

Our philosophy is anytime is a good time to buy land ... they are not making anymore.

^^^ TRUE but location, location, location.

Yes, can you have the land moved to a more desirable location?

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
I’m not inclined to do any improvements, as it’s landlocked.

I’ve been told it’s just changing my investments, but I guess I’m not sure.

Landlocked land is not an investment. You need deeded, permanent easements (access, utility, etc.) to facilitate future development for it to have any upside. Or you need to be able to buy the surrounding property to un-landlock it. I'm guessing the listing realtor is the one who told you you're "just changing investments"?

Depends on where you are.

If you are in a blue state buy and build NOW.

Down the road, you may find you can't build on it, because of new regulations.

The reason some places have crazy prices is that the soft costs to build are stupidly high.

I have met dozens of people that were planning to sell their land and retire.

The land is now unbuildable or has gone from 20 lots to 5.

The guy across the street had two lots, one he built his house on 30 years ago, tried to sell his second lot, and found it is now unbuildable.

Happens all the time.

Are you buying it as an investment or are you buying it to enjoy? Trying to speculate land and what will be desirable is typically not a short term idea. It might not appreciate much if at all in the next 20 years. But if you love to hunt and get to enjoy it, then who cares? Its most likely not going to go down in value, that's for sure.

If you are financing through a third party they will probably require some sort of easement as a condition of lending.

What does landlocked mean specifically? Do you own an helicopter?
Guessing there might be better properties for similar purpose's and similar money?

quote:

It would mean cashing some retirement funds, without penalties I believe.

If taxable it will be added to your annual income at the highest tax rate which for most people 24% to 35%. This is maybe more than interest cost for a few years. Also if the land is $200,000 it will cost you with taxes $270,000. If penalty of 10% is added then the cash cost is $290,000.

If you're not going to build, but rather just look at and visit sometimes, that's the same deal I have going with hundreds of millions of acres of land.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
What does landlocked mean specifically? Do you own an helicopter?
Guessing there might be better properties for similar purpose's and similar money?

easiest access is across a narrow strip of state forest. Furthermore it borders that forest on three sides.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
If you're not going to build, but rather just look at and visit sometimes, that's the same deal I have going with hundreds of millions of acres of land.

You sir have identified a serious question I have on this deal.

The money could easily be spent on out of state guided hunts with plenty left over.

Personally I would not buy land unless I had good idea it'll go up in value at least 8-10% or so per year. Generally this requires utilities, at least power, to be reasonably near. How will "landlocked" land be accessible? Better check with the county to see how much property taxes will be per year based on what you are paying for it.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:

The money could easily be spent on out of state guided hunts with plenty left over.

^This right here. You won’t have property taxes to pay either.

Buying something you’ll only use a couple times a year is fine for tools and kitchen appliances. I wouldn’t spend that much on land I wouldn’t use often. I also wouldn’t buy landlocked land. Not a chance. If you lose your easements, the land is worth less than zero.

Dave Ramsey has advice about buying land.

https://www.ramseysolutions.co...tate/how-to-buy-land

You need an easement for a road. Next biggest question is what is the water situation. Is there a pond, creek, etc. Is the property in a flood plain? If you did want to build there, how expensive would it be to get electric? How far down would you have to drill a well?

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
Simple unimproved hunting land. Deer, bear, turkeys, partridge, wolves, bobcat and beaver. I’m not inclined to do any improvements, as it’s landlocked.

I absolutely hate borrowing money. It would mean cashing some retirement funds, without penalties I believe. I’ve been told it’s just changing my investments, but I guess I’m not sure.

Unless you've discovered gold there and nobody else knows, no.
Cashing out retirement funds or borrowing? Hell no.
Lots of places you can go for free to look at natural beauty and wildlife.
I'm not sure I'd call this an investment unless there's a lot more you're not telling us.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
What does landlocked mean specifically? Do you own an helicopter?
Guessing there might be better properties for similar purpose's and similar money?

easiest access is across a narrow strip of state forest. Furthermore it borders that forest on three sides.

This means everyone else will also have access to it.

Just this alone would be a hard no for me.

how much land are we talking about?

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
What does landlocked mean specifically? Do you own an helicopter?
Guessing there might be better properties for similar purpose's and similar money?

easiest access is across a narrow strip of state forest. Furthermore it borders that forest on three sides.

This means everyone else will also have access to it.

Just this alone would be a hard no for me.

how much land are we talking about?

That would be a major positive to me. In Iowa, that means much less chance of farms nearby building a hog lot, housing, or crop dusting sprays that kill stuff on nearby properties.