Resources-VacantLand

VACANT LAND INVESTMENT IN
THE WEST

The present economy presents hidden opportunities!

How to Invest in Raw Land

By Forbes J. Douglas

Worthwhile investments naturally require careful
analysis, and purchasing raw land in the southwest high
country of Arizona, Colorado, or New Mexico is no
exception. We believe that raw land investment is one
of the better ways to increase your financial holdings,
but doing your research and due diligence remains vital
to your success.

Questions to ask yourself:

What is the reason for this raw land investment in the
Arizona High Country?

This will determine the kind of land you seek, its
location, and price. For instance, you may be looking to
invest in the Rim Country near Payson with the intention
of building residential second home to escape the heat
of the Valley of the Sun. Or, you may want to buy there
only to hold the investment for a time as values
continue to rise due to the many Californians moving in
and paying California prices.

How can I get the information?

First, visit and become familiar with all of the area, from
Payson through Heber-Overgaard and Show Low-
Pinetop to St Johns, Eagar and Alpine. While the fierce
development may now be in the areas most readily
reached from Phoenix and California, all of the region is
likely to see major increases in land value in the next
decade.

Check the present and possible future zoning for the
land to determine if your development idea will work with
city and county plans, or to know what kind of value it
might have should you want to sell to a future
developer. Study the history, political and cultural make
up of Gila, Navajo and Apache counties to understand
just how they may react to the changes brought about
by so many new residents.

How should I work with real estate professionals?

Do not choose just any agent. Raw land investing is a
real estate specialty, and you want to work with
someone who is such a specialist and knows the likely
future development of the area. I suggest that you work
with several, compare their opinions and counsel. Even
then, you may decide to buy directly from the owner
rather than through an agency.

In the White Mountains, you will find a number of
owners individually selling off their family property.
These are often better deals than those offered
through an agency. These are sometimes offered with
owner financing.

You can talk to farmers and ranchers. Be on the look
out for tax sales and foreclosures, read the newspaper
subdivision notices, research the Navajo and Apache
county government websites, and generally immerse
yourself in what is going on.

How do I choose a specific area?

Examine the rate of growth in Payson or Show Low
versus outlying areas. The speed with which an area is
developing will increase the speed with which your
investment appreciates, but you want to find the areas
where prices have not yet taken off.

How do I finance it?

Although financing from banks on raw land is often not
available, owner financing is often is. You will need a
down payment. For agency-listed property, 25% or
more is usually needed to cover the 10% agency fee
and 3-4% closing cost. Buying directly from the owner
allows you to negotiate more freely sometimes resulting
in a nominal down payment.

Forbes J. Douglas, mid-western Realtor® and vacant
and farm land development specialist with 30+ years
successful experience now retired to the Arizona High
Country from where he operates a major national real
estate books review website. He invites you to
investigate the affordable, secluded Arizona cabin land
opportunities available in the White Mountains’ Lakes
Country of Northern Arizona centered on such
picturesque and pleasant towns as Heber-Overgaard,
Show Low, Pinetop and Holbrook. Check out his review
website at http://realestatebooksreviewer.com/

SouthWest Land Net
sales@southwestlandnet.com Old Robles Ranch 2C, POB1782, Cortaro AZ 85652 1-866-463-8757

Read about our BUYER PROTECTION FINANCING that's simple and convenient!