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Land Investing Mistakes: 11 True Stories You Need To Know Before Buying Land
Imagine you just bought a beautiful parcel of land with an abandoned cabin for only $3000.Think about how excited you would be.Now imagine that you go to visit your wonderful new property, and just as you begin to open the door to the cabin, the neighbor rushes over and starts yelling.It turns out the cabin belongs to her!This is not a hypothetical, it actually happened to us once.And it was not the only mistake we have made investing in land.In this book, you will uncover 11 true stories of land investing mistakes, mishaps and misfortunes that will show you what not to do when buying vacant land.Are you are looking to hunt, camp, farm or build your own home? If so, you will want to read these stories before you buy.Complete with a bonus due diligence checklist of over 120 items to guide you on your land acquisition journey, this practical book will teach to ensure you can access your property.How to properly handle complicated ownership issues.Ways to detect environmental contamination.Effective tricks for navigating scams.How to handle difficult buyers or sellersWhat you should never do when confronted with a sudden surprise.Whether you are a first time land buyer or a veteran land investor, the tips in this book will help you navigate the stressful, confusing and complicated world of vacant land.In addition, the due diligence checklist covers things that only the pros know, such happens to a property when one spouse passes away.Mineral rights, water rights, crop rights, timber rights and more.Tools to analyze the development potential of a lot.What to do if a property is in a Special Hazard Flood zone.How to navigate county and city land use and zoning regulations.What to do if you have wetlands on your property.Various easements that you need to look out for.The difference between land use and zoning.How to bring utilities to land.Environmental contamination and how to catch it.The things that a title search won’t catch.What to do about encroachments.How to analyze whether your site conditions are conducive to construction.Ancillary probate and other easily missed items.How to prepare a site for development.Auctions, reassessments and other tax issues.Well testing, riparian rights, water law and other items to consider when using a well.The different kinds of surveys you may want to order.Designed to be a complete due diligence checklist of everything you must look for when buying land, "Land Investing 11 True Stories You Need to Know Before Buyin
- GenresNonfictionHow To
521 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2021
81 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 14, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A woman with a real estate business tells about some pitfalls of the industry, and how she fell into them. Fortunately, she learned from her mistakes, and tells how to avoid them in the future. Good for the land investor.
A woman with a real estate business tells about some pitfalls of the industry, and how she fell into them. Fortunately, she learned from her mistakes, and tells how to avoid them in the future. Good for the land investor.
July 11, 2021
I have worked with commercial and residential real estate for 25 years and had to learn about these land investing mistakes as I went so that I could counsel customers on what the problem was and how to fix it. This is the first time that I have come across a guide to the most egregious mess-ups and do so in a manner that was easy to understand, presented in a compelling (and sometimes humorous) fashion. Anyone who is interested in investing in real estate of any sort should read this book before laying so much as a dollar on the table. This book teaches potential investors what to look for and points them in the direction of how to get the mistakes corrected if they still want to proceed down the path of purchasing the property. The beginner real estate investor truly needs to buy this book to make sure they have the knowledge of how, and yes, the patience to deal with these problems. I applaud the author for writing this book. I like that it is more technical than a For Dummies book, but presented in a manner that is still easy for newbies to understand. Even if you aren't considering investing in land right now, or if you just want to know about how far land title issues can go south, you definitely need this book. You'll get both the "how the heck did it get this messed up" and the "Ah ha! This is how you fix the problem" all in one book. I would even ventures so far as to say that anyone dealing with real estate should grab a copy of this book just for the sake of having it to show others what not to do with their real estate! It's a quick read, but it is a read that anyone who owns, plans to own, invests in, or plans on investing in real estate needs to read. Readers will know what to watch out for when it comes to their own property and new investors will know what pitfalls to watch out for before it costs them a lot of money to fix.
February 1, 2023
learning from the mistakes of others
Probable the best way to learn is by reflecting on others mistakes. I was interested in but a parcel of land next to my property and was just looking for some books or articles on the matter. This was an interesting read it started as someone building an empire kind of information but there are tips and advice scattered throughout that did help me and gave me that light bulb turning on where I need to do more research. I’d recommend this book for anyone interesting in buying land (no house on it required).
Probable the best way to learn is by reflecting on others mistakes. I was interested in but a parcel of land next to my property and was just looking for some books or articles on the matter. This was an interesting read it started as someone building an empire kind of information but there are tips and advice scattered throughout that did help me and gave me that light bulb turning on where I need to do more research. I’d recommend this book for anyone interesting in buying land (no house on it required).
March 24, 2022
Great book
Really detailed, I enjoyed the 11 true stories of land investing mistakes, but only the first one-third of the book and the rest was the checklist. The checklist seems exhaustive that gives the reader a lot of detail on what should be looked into while trying to buy land. This shouldn’t be your first book about buying land as it is a little more advanced, but it needs to be in your library.
Really detailed, I enjoyed the 11 true stories of land investing mistakes, but only the first one-third of the book and the rest was the checklist. The checklist seems exhaustive that gives the reader a lot of detail on what should be looked into while trying to buy land. This shouldn’t be your first book about buying land as it is a little more advanced, but it needs to be in your library.
April 8, 2022
Thank you for the stories and the humility shown by exposing some your Land Investing Mistakes
Ericka: Thank you for this very comprehensive tour thru land investing. Your stories are well written and very engaging. I really loved your $3000 dollar "cabin". Potential land investors will profit greatly from your due diligence list. Please stay safe and well and keep up the good work. Matt Vea
Ericka: Thank you for this very comprehensive tour thru land investing. Your stories are well written and very engaging. I really loved your $3000 dollar "cabin". Potential land investors will profit greatly from your due diligence list. Please stay safe and well and keep up the good work. Matt Vea
October 2, 2022
A valuable learning experience!
What I love about this book is the anecdote, or conversation excerpt the author inserted in the beginning of each chapter. I found this to be quite engaging (for me personally) and really captured my attention so I enjoyed the read throughout. Because it is stories, the book is not providing constant tangible best practice compared toothed books, butI think this would go well as a gift for someone involved in property myself!
What I love about this book is the anecdote, or conversation excerpt the author inserted in the beginning of each chapter. I found this to be quite engaging (for me personally) and really captured my attention so I enjoyed the read throughout. Because it is stories, the book is not providing constant tangible best practice compared toothed books, butI think this would go well as a gift for someone involved in property myself!
October 31, 2022
A Well Written Insider’s Guide
If you’re interested in buying or selling land, I recommend you read this easy, breezy and super informative book. As a longtime real estate broker I have answered test questions about raw land sales but never brokered land deals! It’s a different animal and the author’s real-life case history approach is the perfect educational tool, right along with her detailed checklist. Good stuff!
If you’re interested in buying or selling land, I recommend you read this easy, breezy and super informative book. As a longtime real estate broker I have answered test questions about raw land sales but never brokered land deals! It’s a different animal and the author’s real-life case history approach is the perfect educational tool, right along with her detailed checklist. Good stuff!
June 7, 2022
Raw land checklist
The first 11chapters are indeed stories. It seems wise to learn from people who have done hundreds of land deals.
The rest of the book is almost like a dictionary or encyclopedia of terms and due diligence for people looking to buy and or develop land. At that point it becomes a bit dry if not still very useful. Honestly, all the things that can go awry are a bit scary. Due diligence is the message!
The first 11chapters are indeed stories. It seems wise to learn from people who have done hundreds of land deals.
The rest of the book is almost like a dictionary or encyclopedia of terms and due diligence for people looking to buy and or develop land. At that point it becomes a bit dry if not still very useful. Honestly, all the things that can go awry are a bit scary. Due diligence is the message!
December 19, 2022
Super useful information and I like the anecdotes/ stories method of talking through some of the big issues. The writing is not polished, and some of the information is still vague because so much of this regulation is super local at the county level, but this book was a really helpful start. The last section of the book is a huge checklist of things, which I think would almost work better just as a website because some of the information could potentially get out of date.
March 27, 2023
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. I currently do not own any kind of land, and don't have any thought of doing so in the very near future. However, I still found this book really interesting and informative. I learned a lot of very valuable information still, some that actually aided me in my family history research as I learned more about how land is able to be researched and purchased. It is worth the read even if you have no ambitions for buying and selling land as a business.
July 1, 2022
Handy information before signing on the dotted line
Some of the information is not useful in my area but they do a great job of trying to think of every conceivable problem. We are farmers so I could pick and choose the items most important when buying farm ground. I found it very beneficial.
Some of the information is not useful in my area but they do a great job of trying to think of every conceivable problem. We are farmers so I could pick and choose the items most important when buying farm ground. I found it very beneficial.
October 1, 2022
Comprehensive Checklist
The 11 stories are decent examples of mistakes that buyers and investors make when investing in land. The real value, however, is the list of 120 items to consider when buying land, with explanations, suggestions and resources. The list alone makes the book a great resource and read.
The 11 stories are decent examples of mistakes that buyers and investors make when investing in land. The real value, however, is the list of 120 items to consider when buying land, with explanations, suggestions and resources. The list alone makes the book a great resource and read.
November 21, 2022
Shocking
I checked out this book because I am looking into buying land for the first time. It is well-researched, informative, and easy to understand. All of the possibilities for mistakes with such a purchase are overwhelming, and I will need to reference this book frequently throughout the process.
I checked out this book because I am looking into buying land for the first time. It is well-researched, informative, and easy to understand. All of the possibilities for mistakes with such a purchase are overwhelming, and I will need to reference this book frequently throughout the process.
January 17, 2023
A great book, lots of info and enjoyable to read
This book was equal parts entertaining and informative. The author used good stories to illustrate some of the pitfals to buying land. She offered solutions to problems that were practical. Her stories helped illustrate the problems perfectly.
This book was equal parts entertaining and informative. The author used good stories to illustrate some of the pitfals to buying land. She offered solutions to problems that were practical. Her stories helped illustrate the problems perfectly.
January 23, 2023
If you are into land investing This book is a great read
I am thinking about getiing into land investing and this book is a great place to start. It can show you where things could go wrong, but also what can go very right! If you are interested in Land Investing check out this book
I am thinking about getiing into land investing and this book is a great place to start. It can show you where things could go wrong, but also what can go very right! If you are interested in Land Investing check out this book
June 23, 2021
Interesting
I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
July 10, 2021
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
Informative about the author's experiences. Not quite the book I was expecting it to be (I thought it might be more self-help), but then again, not a bad book either.
Informative about the author's experiences. Not quite the book I was expecting it to be (I thought it might be more self-help), but then again, not a bad book either.
August 9, 2021
Caveat emptor
Buying land in any part of the world is usually a thorny issue so many research required to avoid being scammed the hard earned coins, this book as at least highlighted some of the parameters to consider before sealing that land deal.
Buying land in any part of the world is usually a thorny issue so many research required to avoid being scammed the hard earned coins, this book as at least highlighted some of the parameters to consider before sealing that land deal.
January 11, 2022
A must read for any potential land (or home) owner!
This book will pay for itself many times over. The included checklist would have saved me so much time and hassle on a past purchase, I wish I’d have found this sooner … it should be on everyone’s bookshelf!
This book will pay for itself many times over. The included checklist would have saved me so much time and hassle on a past purchase, I wish I’d have found this sooner … it should be on everyone’s bookshelf!
October 6, 2022
insightful and easy read
It does have insights you can’t get from an easy google, so it’s worth the time to read if you are interested in land investment. Also the writing is well done too. It’s very easy to read and enjoyable.
It does have insights you can’t get from an easy google, so it’s worth the time to read if you are interested in land investment. Also the writing is well done too. It’s very easy to read and enjoyable.
December 13, 2022
A Very Thorough Resource
This book on land sales and purchases covers just about every circumstance you can think of, making it a great source if you wish to get into buying and selling land. There are also great cautionary tales that illustrate the points being made.
This book on land sales and purchases covers just about every circumstance you can think of, making it a great source if you wish to get into buying and selling land. There are also great cautionary tales that illustrate the points being made.
January 26, 2023
Full of great advice
Full of great advice. I'll be saving this book for referencing later. Only thing i would change is to add page breaks for the chapters so they aren't all run together. With page breaks added the Kindle creator will separate everything correctly
Full of great advice. I'll be saving this book for referencing later. Only thing i would change is to add page breaks for the chapters so they aren't all run together. With page breaks added the Kindle creator will separate everything correctly
June 11, 2021
Hard to put down.
January 14, 2022
Informative, creative, and educational.
March 21, 2022
Very detailed
Great book and I would use it as a resource guide myself. Author appears fairly knowledgeable on the subject. Great job.
Great book and I would use it as a resource guide myself. Author appears fairly knowledgeable on the subject. Great job.
February 4, 2024
For american land
When I started the book I didnt realise it was for American land buying BUT regardless still had a wealth of knowledge that I can apply here in the UK
When I started the book I didnt realise it was for American land buying BUT regardless still had a wealth of knowledge that I can apply here in the UK
June 29, 2021
I feel smarter about buying land now.
August 3, 2022
Best book with the worst cover that I've ever read. She makes complicated concepts easy to understand.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews