$949/ square foot

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Big bob

A fool and his money. Why would anyone pay for a lot when acreage is cheaper?

Some people want to live in a suburban subdivision. Nothing wrong with that.
And acreage is not really cheaper. Yeah it looks that way because you have more dirt. But that’s where it ends. The cost to develop and maintain acreage vs a subdivision lot is not even close.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by LATB

Some people want to live in a suburban subdivision. Nothing wrong with that.
And acreage is not really cheaper. Yeah it looks that way because you have more dirt. But that’s where it ends. The cost to develop and maintain acreage vs a subdivision lot is not even close.

Minimum lot size here is 20,000 square feet.

Where my son lives outside Denver CO the lots are much smaller in a very modern planned community. His side yards are maybe three feet, front lawn is maybe ten feet, and back lawn maybe 15. But, there are many advantages.

He can shovel the driveway fairly easily. Cutting grass takes ten minutes with a battery mower. There is a POA maintained park beyond his backyard, and local kids are out there often, playing soccer, baseball, football- you name it. Paved walks where kids can safely ride bikes. Elementary through high school within walking distance. Supermarkt is five minutes away. Amazon delivers most times in one day.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by LATB

Some people want to live in a suburban subdivision. Nothing wrong with that.
And acreage is not really cheaper. Yeah it looks that way because you have more dirt. But that’s where it ends. The cost to develop and maintain acreage vs a subdivision lot is not even close.

That some want to live in the city lots are the only option but don't bitch about others being there. With my experience with over 400 acres spread around through the years I have to disagree. But then again I never tried to rake mow or fence or any other way of trying to control nature I work with it and enjoy as intended.

[GTOguy]

I always thought if I were going to be a gentleman farmer, I would get at least 20 acres, probably more. I worked with a LOT of guys who had 'ranchettes' that ranged from an acre to 20 acres, and all of them had the same hassles: well pump, septic tank, weed abatement, etc. I figured for the extra hassle, might as well have some extra room. I was looking for a place like that out of town when my current digs popped up IN town. Older neighborhood of custom homes (not really fancy) all on 13,000-20,000 sf lots. All on town water and sewer and all mature landscaping. I'm walking distance to the store, am within 100 yards of a central park, etc. Very nice, early 1960's development. The best part: 2200sf single level house (no steps) and 6 car garage. Easy to maintain, plenty of room, and neighbor houses 75 feet away.

[Onebadcad]

This house, in same area, is twice the price, BUT 2X living sqft and is on 52 acres:

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...=srp-list-card

Another, same price, same area, 2X living sqft, 1.73 acres:

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...=srp-list-card

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Onebadcad

This house, in same area, is twice the price, BUT 2X living sqft and is on 52 acres:

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...=srp-list-card

Another, same price, same area, 2X living sqft, 1.73 acres:

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...=srp-list-card

Not to worry. ALL of these homes are far, far out of Yadkin's grasp. He ain't Jeff Bezos.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Not to worry. ALL of these homes are far, far out of Yadkin's grasp. He ain't Jeff Bezos.

So are you saying if yaddy grabbed / grasped bezos's junk, even a reach-around, he could have one of those??

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

I always thought if I were going to be a gentleman farmer, I would get at least 20 acres, probably more. I worked with a LOT of guys who had 'ranchettes' that ranged from an acre to 20 acres, and all of them had the same hassles: well pump, septic tank, weed abatement, etc. I figured for the extra hassle, might as well have some extra room. I was looking for a place like that out of town when my current digs popped up IN town. Older neighborhood of custom homes (not really fancy) all on 13,000-20,000 sf lots. All on town water and sewer and all mature landscaping. I'm walking distance to the store, am within 100 yards of a central park, etc. Very nice, early 1960's development. The best part: 2200sf single level house (no steps) and 6 car garage. Easy to maintain, plenty of room, and neighbor houses 75 feet away.

A lot of good things about your present location, outweighed by being in stupid-expensive California.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Big bob

That some want to live in the city lots are the only option but don't bitch about others being there. With my experience with over 400 acres spread around through the years I have to disagree. But then again I never tried to rake mow or fence or any other way of trying to control nature I work with it and enjoy as intended.

Most who own acreage develop some or all of it. The costs of bringing electric and water and other infrastructure into the property is much more expensive than the cost to build out a subdivision lot.
And most rural property owners have fencing and it’s not even a conversation about how expensive it is.
Then there is driveway and landscaping costs, again they far outweigh any costs associated with a subdivision lot.

Buy a 100K subdivision lot and the only development cost is some clearing and water/sewer tap fees. Those costs are usually incorporated into the construction contract, including a driveway and any fencing.

Buy 100K worth of acreage and you will damn near spend another 100K developing the property before you can even think about building.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by LATB

Most who own acreage develop some or all of it. The costs of bringing electric and water and other infrastructure into the property is much more expensive than the cost to build out a subdivision lot.
And most rural property owners have fencing and it’s not even a conversation about how expensive it is.
Then there is driveway and landscaping costs, again they far outweigh any costs associated with a subdivision lot.

Buy a 100K subdivision lot and the only development cost is some clearing and water/sewer tap fees. Those costs are usually incorporated into the construction contract, including a driveway and any fencing.

Buy 100K worth of acreage and you will damn near spend another 100K developing the property before you can even think about building.

Damn things must have changed. I have had power brought in on many properties some over a mile for free. Just had to agree to a minimum bill untill a home was built. Some put in a well some just a spring box was needed. Only permit needed was for septic$1500 to $3000. All my properties were bought many years ago. The most ever paid was 2k an acre most much less. It is amazing how much it has gone up. I am glad I listen to family that went through the depression.


Not sure why you would need fencing for a tree farm. I hope you're not one of those barbed wire assholes.

[DAB]

well, at that SF rate, my little place is worth $4,571,333.

and that's only counting the heated SF, not the garage nor the barn

[Tikiman]

No way I could afford my place if I were trying to buy it today. Land was $2,200 an acre when I bought it and, last I checked, it was bringing $15k or more per acre.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

A lot of good things about your present location, outweighed by being in stupid-expensive California.

I agree. I bought the house at the low point in the market for less than half the value. It's paid off. I have a lift in the garage. Property Taxes are low, and the neighborhood is safe.
If prop 13 goes away, so will I. With the change in the workplace to 'working from home' brought on by the Pandemic and Californians leaving the state, prices in formerly affordable states are going way up. And they are turning bluer as well due to the liberals bringing their politics with them. It's a 'grass is always greener' thing. I can drive my classics all year, just got back from a nice walk in sunny 65 degree weather. Life is pretty easy, for sure.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Big bob

Damn things must have changed. I have had power brought in on many properties some over a mile for free. Just had to agree to a minimum bill untill a home was built. Some put in a well some just a spring box was needed. Only permit needed was for septic$1500 to $3000. All my properties were bought many years ago. The most ever paid was 2k an acre most much less. It is amazing how much it has gone up. I am glad I listen to family that went through the depression.


Not sure why you would need fencing for a tree farm. I hope you're not one of those barbed wire assholes.

I buried the power from the line under the road and had a pad transformer set on my property. Cost 12K.

I had a water line extended to my property and along with a tap and meter. Cost 11K.

Septic system permit was 1K. The tank and field installation will be close to 10K.

Two grand an acre is not happening. That is 30 year old pricing. Today you are looking at 10K-15K and up.

Fencing is part aesthetics and part to keep my dogs out of the road. Not a barbwire asshole…just a regular run of the mill asshole.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by LATB

I buried the power from the line under the road and had a pad transformer set on my property. Cost 12K.

I had a water line extended to my property and along with a tap and meter. Cost 11K.

Septic system permit was 1K. The tank and field installation will be close to 10K.

Two grand an acre is not happening. That is 30 year old pricing. Today you are looking at 10K-15K and up.

Fencing is part aesthetics and part to keep my dogs out of the road. Not a barbwire asshole…just a regular run of the mill asshole.

You're right on this last piece I bought was in 1991 a bit bigger than yours. 10 acres down the way just sold for over $350,000. I think I paid under a hundred for the permit and 3 grand for the field.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

A lot of good things about your present location, outweighed by being in stupid-expensive California.

Assuming you own your home outright like GTO does, the cost of living in the Central Desert isn't much worse than most major cities and probably even better than some.

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Assuming you own your home outright like GTO does, the cost of living in the Central Desert isn't much worse than most major cities and probably even better than some.

Except for electricity, which he's said numerous times is triple or quadruple that of most places for some reason.

Everywhere has pros and cons.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

No way I could afford my place if I were trying to buy it today. Land was $2,200 an acre when I bought it and, last I checked, it was bringing $15k or more per acre.

You probably could, but it wouldn't be the same dynamic. You were smart and saw the 'window of opportunity' and knew what your end-game was years ago when you bought the place. The trade off was a shitty commute---but you were young and could deal with it. You were living where you always wanted to live, but much earlier. IMO, a smart move.
The place I am located I tried to buy in 2006 but got outbid, and when their ARM busted them in 2012, I got the place on short sale for less than half price--- and they had made huge improvements. Since I had been saving for a relocation to the country, I happened to be ready. I was lucky the timing was right, but, like you, I knew it was 'now or never', so I went for it. Glad I did. I tried to capitalize on the market in 2022 with my Bay Area property, as there were bidding wars and the values were sky high, but Alameda County had their COVID moratorium in place, so I was not allowed to sell the property. It just ended, though, so I can list the place, two years later. Only now, the interest rates have tripled and the value of the property is 30% less. Thanks, Democrats! I guess I'll just continue to be a heartless and evil landlord.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Except for electricity, which he's said numerous times is triple or quadruple that of most places for some reason.

Everywhere has pros and cons.

Hey, it was down on the last bill! 52 cents per Kwh vs 54 cents! Woot-Woot!

I guess I'll start burning my old tires. Not kidding.

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by LATB

I buried the power from the line under the road and had a pad transformer set on my property. Cost 12K.

I have two pad transformers on my place. One feeds the house and another feeds the main barn. Both are buried and come in off of different poles from the street. And, yeah, I get two electric bills.

And fencing is just part of having livestock. I have or have had horses, donkeys, goats, cows, pigs, and chickens. I don't have any pigs right now. I may get back into it, however, depending on how things go. Plus, I don't need a dog getting hit by a car. Would probably total the car and wouldn't do the dog any good either. So, fences are just good sense. Oh, and gates. You can never have too many gates. I've got fields that have four gates and I think her riding arena has six.