Field Guide to Land Investment
(Updated November 2009)
While land investment may not provide the instant gratification of a home purchase, this sort of venture can be quite lucrative. Land investors have different needs and concerns than those of typical real estate investors - zoning, planning, environmental issues are just a few of the challenges they must face. This Field Guide will help those who wish to take on this interesting branch of the real estate industry. (S. Hogan, Information Specialist)
Investing Basics 
Investing in land, (University Federal Credit Union, 2009).
5 good reasons to buy land, (Find Land Auctions Online, Aug. 15, 2009).
9 considerations when investing in land, (Find Land Auctions Online, July 21, 2009).
8 ways to cover your holding costs on land, (Find Land Auctions Online, Sept. 2, 2009).
Shopping for a swamp?, (REALTOR® Magazine, Aug. 2008).
Save for retirement by buying land?, (Kiplinger's Personal Finance, May 2007).
'It's the only thing that lasts'; for some rich Americans, accumulating land is like collecting art and autos, (Wall Street Journal, Apr. 25, 2007). Q
Land Appraisal
Land and property values in the U.S., (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2009).
Land values and cash rents: 2009 summary, (USDA, Aug. 2009).
Land value and purchase, (Iowa State University).
Environmental Considerations
Community green laws in America, (Landscape Ordinance Research Project, Louisiana State University, 2009).
Sustainable redevelopment builds better communities, (California Redevelopment Association, May 27, 2008).
Urban squeeze builds fresh interest in redeveloping contaminated land, (Business Insurance, Dec. 3, 2007). Q
Environmental effects of agricultural land-use change: The role of economics and policy, (USDA Economic Research Service, 2006).
Useful Websites
REALTORS® Land Institute, (www.rliland.com).
Landowners information, (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
American Farm Bureau, (www.fb.com).
US Forest Service, (www.fs.fed.us).
eBooks & Other Resources
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
The dynamics of property location (Adobe eReader)
Be a successful green land developer (Adobe eReader)
Land use law for sustainable development (Adobe eReader)
Be a successful residential land developer, (New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2005). NAC 1800 W86
Appraisal of land, (Chicora, PA: Mechling Books, 2005). HD 1387 D44
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Agricultural/Farm Land
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The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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