I am researching several areas to buy some land, Question is should i buy land by a golf course or a lake?

I have been told buying land is a very good and solid investment but i am not sure where to buy. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated? I am done with the stock market I am not making any money so I will be selling it soon and will be buying land instead. thanks

When buying land you need to now 3 things.
location,location, location.

To make the most money you need to research a few things.
1. Path a development. are they building or going to be building in the area.
2. zone laws
3. utilities, taxes, and other expenses just to hold on to the land. some places you are paying high taxes and fees just to have utilities running to your land.

remember, land is the ultimate rich mans game. it brings in no income but you still pay every year to keep it. Find a parcel with low taxes and low up keep and make sure you can afford it.
You need to keep the land for at least a year or capital gains taxes are higher.

If you not paying all cash then your interest rates are higher than housing rates and loan to values are lower because no one is living there.

But I have some times doubled even triple my investments in as Little as a year.

i would say lake front. i would keep my stocks though. realestate
is not going to go up for some time. its going to be along dragged out thing. i would say atleast 10 years or so. the stocks
will rebound sooner.

Location, location!! Even if it's by a lake in Michigan, it's not going to increase in value. Everyone has been moving to California for over thirty years, and ( supply and demand) has made the properties go thru the sky, even if it's next to a landfill.

btw - meant to add tax implications to your decision. Depending on where you buy, a house you can rent may be a better investment than raw land.
Also make sure to discuss 10-31 exchanges with your CPA as it will lower your capital gains when you eventually sell.

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Real estate has historically always been a better investment than the stock market. They don't make more land ;-)

Your question is a little hard to answer though. First of all deciding between golf course or lake would depend on where you buy. Retiree's love golf courses, so that would be good in an area where there are lots of retirees.

Lake would be great in an area where there are lots of lake (or oceanfront) lovers who like to fish, swim, ski, etc.

Are you wanting to buy close to where you live? Also, are you just buying land (no house?) Do you want to rent and hold, flip, or just buy vacant land?

There are many more questions to ask before an answer can be given. You should talk to a real estate consultant. Fortunately I am one. If you want to buy close to where you live, let me know and I can refer you to someone that will give you unbiased advice.

Paula Bean
PaulaBean@HomeOrlando.com

While it's often said "they aren't making any more land", from a practical standpoint they are. New tracts are being opened up constantly, and if there's not a lake one or more is man-made.

Golf course lots can be dangerous investments, as there is seldom a guarantee that the course will remain intact, and at times there is a deadline for building. Except in very expensive subdivisions, the small print of the subdivision restrictions usually show the golf course itself is under seperate ownership and can in the future be developed as additional housing sites.

Most people don't take the time (or employ a lawyer or accountant) to read the small print in purchase contracts for real estate.

You being "done with the stock market" sounds as if you don't do a lot of research concerning your investments. You may want to consider buying BBB or better corporate bonds. You'll have a safe investment that is liquid. If you work with a low cost broker like Charles Schwab your purchase and/or resell costs are minimal. Don't open a securities account with a bank, they aren't securities specialists and always have higher costs.

Real estate has several strategic problems. The future of any plot of land (and it's surroundings) is uncertain, except to the sales agent who forecasts it as "big potential".

A real estate investment is illiquid, and in the short run typically requires you to take a big loss plus pay a big sales commission. The carrying costs of taxes, subdivision assessments, etc. create continual expenses.

If you do fall in love with a golf course lot, make sure it's on the left side of the fairway, looking from the tee. The majority of golfers make their bad shots to the right, so it's not the best place to build a home.

Spend some time learning about BBB and better corporate bonds. They sound like the optimum investment for you.

You need to fire your Portfolio Manager and hire me instead.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed 14,000 for the very first time a month ago.

I have over a decade of experience in the Stock Markets.