Recreation, Investment, or Building for Today or the Future

When choosing the right property, the intended use should be the key factor in your decision-making process. Whether you're seeking a place to enjoy recreational activities, looking for a smart investment, planning to live there now, or considering future development, each purpose comes with its own set of considerations. Here’s a breakdown of how to choose the best property based on your needs.

1. For Recreation:

If your goal is to use the land for recreation—whether for camping, RV parking, hunting, or simply as a peaceful escape—you’ll want to consider properties in more remote, natural settings.

Key Considerations for Recreational Use:

• Accessibility: Ensure there’s road access, even if it’s a dirt road, so you can get to the property easily for weekend getaways.
• Proximity to Outdoor Activities: Consider properties near forests, lakes, or other natural attractions if you’re into hiking, fishing, or boating.
• Utilities: If you plan to park an RV or camp on the land, check if basic utilities are available or if you’ll need to go off-grid (e.g., solar panels, septic tanks).
• Restrictions: Confirm that local zoning laws permit recreational activities, camping, or temporary structures like cabins or RVs. Some counties may have restrictions on how long you can camp or live on the land.

2. For Investment:

If you’re buying land as an investment, your primary goal will likely be to hold onto the land and sell it at a later date for a profit. The best investment properties often require a balance between location, potential growth, and affordability.

Key Considerations for Investment:

• Location and Future Growth: Look for land in areas that are likely to appreciate, such as regions experiencing population growth, new infrastructure projects, or nearby urban expansion.
• Market Trends: Analyze local real estate market trends, including historical appreciation rates. Properties near growing cities or major highways often have higher appreciation potential.
• Zoning and Future Use: Consider land that could be rezoned in the future, increasing its value. Properties near developing areas may later be converted into commercial, residential, or agricultural zones, providing higher returns on investment.
• Hold Cost: Since raw land typically requires little maintenance, it’s a low-cost investment. Ensure you account for property taxes and other long-term expenses like land management.

3. For Living Now (Live Today):

If you’re planning to live on the land right away, you’ll need to ensure the property is suitable for residential purposes.

Key Considerations for Residential Use:

• Utilities and Infrastructure: Ensure the land has access to essential utilities like water, electricity, and internet. Also, check if there’s an established waste management system, such as septic tanks or access to a public sewer.
• Proximity to Amenities: Since this will be your primary residence, consider the proximity to schools, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and other essential services.
• Zoning and Permits: Verify that the property is zoned for residential use and check the local building codes to ensure you can build the home you envision.
• Road Access: A well-maintained road leading to the property is important if you plan to commute or require regular deliveries and services.

4. For Future Building (Long-Term Planning):

If you’re not planning to build right away but want to secure land for future development, such as a retirement home or a vacation house, you should focus on properties that have long-term potential.

Key Considerations for Future Building:

• Land Value Appreciation: Look for properties in areas projected to grow in value over the coming years. You’ll want the land to appreciate in value by the time you’re ready to build.
• Utilities and Road Development: Even if you’re not planning to build immediately, ensure the property has access to or the potential to connect to utilities when you’re ready. Similarly, confirm that future road development won’t be an issue.
• Zoning Flexibility: Choose land that offers flexibility in zoning, so you have multiple options down the road. You may want to build a small home now, but the ability to add onto the property later or change its use should also be considered.
• Septic and Well Potential: In more rural areas, be sure that the property can accommodate a septic system and a well if public utilities are not available.

Conclusion

Choosing the right property largely depends on your intended use—whether it’s for recreational fun, a sound investment, building a home today, or planning for future development. At LaVie, we help guide you through these considerations to find the land that best suits your needs. Each type of property use has unique factors to consider, and our team is always available to assist you in making the best decision for your goals.

If you’d like personalized recommendations based on your purpose for buying land, feel free to contact us today. We’re here to support you through every step of the process.