There are many reasons to get into land investment. For beginners, investing in land can be a great way to diversify their portfolio while experienced investors can leverage it as a stable and limited resource. It can be an excellent way to begin investing or as a way to diversify an already robust portfolio. This type of investment is not limited to a specific income bracket, making it a viable option for anyone. People from all parts of the country and in all income brackets are turning to land as a stable and limited resource. Learn more about land investment and whether it aligns with your investment strategy in our latest post! Is it right for you? Learn more below!
Guide to Land Investment in Michigan
Land is Low Maintenance
There isn’t much you have to do when owning a piece of land in Michigan. This means you typically won’t have to worry about the costs of maintenance, repairs, and renovations. Maybe some landscaping so weeds don’t get out of control, but otherwise, it basically just sits there. The only maintenance required might be landscaping to keep weeds at bay. Make sure to be aware if utilities or other expensive assessments will be enforced while you are in ownership of the land. It’s also important to consider whether there are any hidden costs like utilities or assessments that could pop up during ownership. You wouldn’t want to buy a $5,000 lot only to find you will be paying $20,000 (over time) to have water ran to it. Doing your homework beforehand can save you from unpleasant surprises down the road.
Easy to Get Started
You don’t need to have a ton of experience to get started in land. Land investment is relatively easy to get started with and doesn’t require years of experience or a large capital investment. Do your homework and you should be able to find something for only a few thousand dollars. Researching market trends and Michigan’s land development plans can give you an idea of what’s on the market and what to expect. Learn about the market in Michigan and see what lots are going for. Consider factors such as the seasonal trends, population growth, and zoning when looking for investment opportunities. Are there seasonal trends? What does future population growth look like? Are there development plans or changes in zoning on the radar? Is it ready to be developed or is it raw land with no foreseeable plans nearby?
Why Is It For Sale?
Not all land is the same. It’s essential to be thorough and do your research before making a purchase. Plots of land in one neighborhood might be impacted by completely different environmental factors. Environmental considerations could also impact a lot’s development potential, so it’s important to gather as much information as possible. Protected animals might live on your lot and not your neighbors. There might be characteristics unique to the lot that make it challenging to build on or even sell, so you need to be aware of them. This can inhibit your ability to build, thus lowering the value of the land. Research is especially crucial when it comes to buying a piece of land that has a history of damage from natural disasters or industrial pollution. Maybe there are oil tanks in the ground or frequent flooding problems from the creek nearby. Take time to research the lot’s history and determine whether it’s a feasible investment. Make sure you learn as much as possible about the lot before making a purchase!
What’s Your Strategy?
Flip It – To flip land effectively, you need to buy low and sell high. In order to flip land effectively, you should approach the owners of overgrown, forgotten lots, or look for unlisted deals. You can do this by finding unlisted deals or directly contacting the owners of lots that appear to be overgrown and forgotten. These lots have likely been purchased long ago and forgotten about, presenting an attractive investment opportunity. The land may have been purchased long ago, and all but forgotten about until it’s time to pay property taxes. Building a relationship with the owner of the land can lead to access to great deals and off-market transactions. By reaching out to owners directly, you will be able to create a relationship and possibly take unwanted real estate off their hands. When contacting a property owner, always be respectful and mindful of their privacy. If the lot is not for sale, never harass or bother the owner in hopes of changing their mind. After acquiring such a property, it’s best to find retail buyers within Michigan and market it to them. You should then market the property to retail buyers in Michigan. Advertise the property to potential buyers who want to build a home on the site. People who want to build a home on the site for themselves, etc.
Buy and Hold – Land is an excellent investment to buy and hold, and it can be very profitable in the long run. It will typically appreciate over time and is very simple to maintain. It’s one of the lowest maintenance investments since there is no upkeep of a structure or property. Your primary expense will be property taxes which are significantly lower than taxes on a home. With property taxes being lower than those of standard homes, it’s a stress-free acquisition for anyone wanting to dip their feet into investment. You can hold until land values see a considerable jump or development plans are put into place. Holding onto a property until land values rise or receiving word of development plans is ultimately where the potential profit lies.
Lease It – Another option when owning land is to lease it to a party that has a use for it. If you’re not looking to flip or hold onto the land, leasing it out is an option to maximize your investment return. This translates into almost 100% for you. Once you’ve found the right tenant, owning the land can lead to receiving almost 100% profit. Some interested parties might be farmers, hunters, or a nearby business looking for parking. When considering a renter, you should ensure the lot has the necessary zoning provisions to accommodate their intended use. Obviously, you will need to make sure the lot is zoned for what your renter intends to use it for.
If you’re interested in Michigan land investments, we’re here to help! Give us a call at
(269) 222-7711 or send us a message below. – Nate
Easily Get in touch with NateBuysLand today for more information.