Land…they aren’t making any more of it
September 4th, 2008 by WebGal
The list is out! The list of top 100 largest land owners in the United States was released. Topping the charts was Ted Turner with 2 million acres!
The land list got me thinking…why would someone continue to buy land when they already have so much of it? Isn’t 2 million acres enough? But Mr. Turner answered that perfectly. “I acquired more land because I required more land. I wanted it,” Turner said in a 2004 interview. “I never like to buy anything except land. It’s the only thing that lasts.”
Turner hit the nail on the head. “The only thing that lasts”!!
While the economy is on its roller coaster ride up and down (mostly down) land is always there. The value will always be there because, well they just aren’t making any more land these days…
Land has a lasting value. There are so many uses and potential. You can hold on to a property for decades and not do anything to it, or you could build your dream ranch or ski chalet. Whether it’s for an investment or to live on or to put a business on…land lasts.
Million Dollar View!
August 21st, 2008 by verani
When I first got into the land business over 20 years ago, I was told that it was all about location. Over the years, I have learned that this advice was very important, but there were other key factors one should consider when buying land.
Mountain Views at Great Brook Preserve, Maine
The amenities in the area are another key factor. Is the land near skiing, near a lake or does it have access to open space or protected land? Other strong amenities might be streams, brooks, meadows and hiking trails nearby.
What has led me to the number one attribute that makes land unique and adds tremendous value are views. Buying land with mountain views or, even better, lake views is always a huge game changer. If it happens to be in a growing town like Littleton, NH and happens to have a water view like Water Glen Ridge, even better. Finding land with ski mountain views like Great Brook Preserve can also provide tremendous value.
Your timing is perfect! Let me tell you why…
August 14th, 2008 by verani
Buying land at the right time can be almost as important as your actual choice in land. If you look at a historical chart of land prices over the last several decades, you will find that prices or values adjust or level off every 15 to 20 years.
Prior to this current adjustment period, the last major adjustment in values occurred in the early 90s. As we all know, the values then and now are entirely different and substantially improved. It would be impossible to state with absolute assurances how much real estate values will climb in the next few years, however there are several indicators pointing to NOW being the perfect time to buy land.
Keep in mind, most people who buy real estate in vacation areas for their own personal enjoyment can also realize the possibility of some return as a secondary bonus. If you get land with views or near skiing, swimming, or hiking…all the better.
Is Mr. Trump Right?
August 12th, 2008 by WebGal
On the news this morning I saw an interview with Donald Trump, Mr. Real Estate himself. He thinks the real estate market will turn around within the next year. Trump also suggested that NOW is the time to buy. Yes! I agree with you there Donny. There are so many opportunities available for buyers. Great financing and market pricing make it easy to buy.
One thing I didn’t agree with was Trump’s position on selling. He said (not an exact quote…I still hadn’t had my coffee yet), “It’s a great time to buy, but a terrible time to sell.” Hmmm. If it’s a great time to buy that would mean there are buyers…so if there are buyers, then it must be a good time to sell. You may not get top dollar for your property like you would at the peak of the market, but if people are buying then there must be those that are selling.
I’m not even sure it will take a year for the market to turn. The activity and interest in there and I think any day now we will see a major shift. Banks are coming up with all sorts of ways to help people keep their homes from foreclosure. That means less inventory. Less inventory = higher demand. Higher demand and the market shifts.
Mr. Trump, I hope you are wrong and I think the market is on its way back up. So start buying and keep selling.
Get the DIRT on Land!
August 8th, 2008 by verani
As you get your Stock Portfolio statements in the mail as I did today and you watch the value of them continue to recede like an ocean at low tide…It is time to change direction and take a new look at LAND!!! There are a lot of real hidden gems in New Hampshire and Maine. Land is and will always be land — it has a fundamental value . . . and as they say, ”they aren’t making any more of it.”
Land is now considered by many to possess some potential returns. That is because when you buy low and sell higher and your holding cost is relatively small then you are truly taking advantage of today’s market!!! The hard part in today’s credit crunch world is obtaining financing! If there is a company out there that provides their own financing than you should take advantage of it especially if it is below prime!!! I know Northern Acres and Great Brook Preserve are both offering “Seller Financing”
Are we at the bottom of the real estate market?
July 30th, 2008 by verani
We continue to hear doom and gloom from the media about the conditions in the real estate market. The major media outlets seem uninterested in many of the more positive indicators in the region.
In any previous real estate cycle, economic activity including jobs and Federal Reserve Bank indices are key indicators for charting recovery in values and appreciation. In last week’s Barron’s cover story titled “Home prices are about to bottom,” several charts and statistics from states across the country showed positive signs that better times are ahead.
When you look at the current volatility in the stock market and all the inflationary indicators on the rise, land may be the best alternative to place your money in. Even Jim Cramer, the CNBC finance guru is buying a house and feels the market is right, right now.
Littleton, NH - Quaint New England Town with a Modern Touch
July 15th, 2008 by WebGal
Just recently Boston.com ran an article all about Littleton, NH, highlighting the town’s best places to eat, boutiques for shopping and attractions around town. I’ve been a long-time fan of Littleton and was glad to see that more people can recognize how truly unique and fun the town is!
Littleton is a great walking town with plenty to see and do on its historic Main Street, starting with a statue of Pollyana welcoming visitors to town. The children’s book author Eleanor H. Potter was born there. Littleton is a quintessential New England town loaded with history. While visiting you won’t want to miss its covered bridge, the diner, Chutter’s - with the world’s longest penny candy counter (yummy!), and plenty of charming shops. But Littleton is not just any small town in the middle of the New Hampshire White Mountains. There are numerous modern boutiques, art galleries and upscale restaurants…and a few larger chain stores have moved in to town as well. Littleton is a great place for visitors and residents alike combining a small-town feel with a bit of modern pizzazz.
Water View You Can Afford
July 14th, 2008 by Adriana
Check out our PhotoShow to learn more about Northern Acres’ newest NH property, Water Glen Ridge.
Low Owner Financing Sells
July 7th, 2008 by WebGal
The release of Water Glen Ridge in Littleton, NH was very successful. Three properties have already been sold with more to follow. Not only are the views at this property amazing, but the 2.99% low financing rates being offered have helped create excitement about owning this land.
These days, many banks are not offering financing for raw land and its getting harder to get construction loans. The owners at Water Glen Ridge are trying to make it easier on customers. Finding great rates can be very difficult and this financing has proven successful thus far. Low owner financing rates paired with spectacular views…what’s not to like?
Recent release: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Northern-Acres-872450.html
Protect your purchase…In-Deed
June 24th, 2008 by verani
When conveying property or assigning ownership of real property, land or land with improvements such as a house, it is important to understand what types of interest is being transferred. There are several types of deeds for transferring land. However, there are a few more common ones that you would likely see.
A quitclaim deed is a deed that transfers to the grantee (person accepting the deed) all of the legal rights that the grantor (person selling or transferring) has in 
the property. A quitclaim deed makes no warranties against any other aspects of the title or claims. This is one of the weaker deeds as it only promises a transfer of the grantor’s ownership…whatever ownership that may be.
A special warranty deed is a deed that transfers to the grantee all of the legal rights the grantor has in the parcel of land and only what the deed specifically states. This is a better deed than quit claim but not as good as a warranty deed. Read the rest of this entry »