Land Sales Trends in 2023: An Investor's Guide - Sutton Real Estate (2024)

Last year, soaring real estate prices and property shortages continued, leaving many to consider an alternative. Land investment may not be as common as residential real estate, rental properties, or REITs, but it’s looking like a solid choice in 2023, and beyond.

Investments in land have steadily increased over the last decade. Investors may purchase land for agricultural purposes or residential and commercial real estate. Regardless of the purpose, all types of land for sale have recently seen an increase in demand.

Here are some of the latest trends and why you should consider purchasing land.

NY Land Sales Are on the Rise

According to the REALTORS® Land Market Survey, land sales increased by 6% in 2021, surpassing the sales growth of commercial real estate properties, industrial buildings, and apartment buildings. The team at Sutton Real Estate has seen an increase in the number of land deals completed from 2021 to 2002 in upstate NY. According to experts, it’s a trend that’s likely to continue this year as demand increases and the value rises.

The announcement of Mircon investing $100 billion over the next 20-plus years in Onondaga County has sparked renewed interest in available land in surrounding areas where we lack housing – specifically multi-family housing. Upstate New York’s housing currently can’t support the nearly 50,000 jobs statewide promised to be created by the end of this decade. Securing land and real estate in Onondaga County and beyond is an opportunity to consider heavily for investors and developers in Upstate NY.

According to Stephen Saleski, a Real Estate Associate Broker at Sutton Real Estate Company…

“There seems to be a lot of investors and operators sitting on cash. The pent-up demand for investments, coupled with a lack of inventory for industrial and retail users space created much more activity than in the last few years.

I believe the continued lack of inventory for space, increased availability of construction materials, and continued consumer spending will keep land as a good investment in the short term.”

However, supply and demand also mean that as the amount of land for sale diminishes, prices will rise. Long term, this means the cost to invest will continue to go up, so it’s best to buy early and wisely.

Land Continues to Be a Stable Asset

The stock market is prone to fluctuations, making it occasionally volatile. Factors such as war, government policy changes, inflation, etc., can all cause the market to go up or down.As such, it can be risky purchasing stocks, especially as a beginning investor.

Safe assets, such as gold or land, provide stability. The value of land stays largely the same or even increases. That’s why many investors put their money into land as a way to keep their wealth safe.

Land also offers a great deal of versatility. For instance, it can be used for a residential property or a commercial office space.

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Farmland Value in 2023

Russia produces around 25% of the world’s nitrogen fertilizer. Production has slowed due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It’s essentially off the market or far more costly than before the war. As the conflict continues, it’s likely to impact land prices this year.

Land, especially farmland, is usually held for a long time and often passed down to other family members. That’s one reason that supply is so limited. However, this also makes farmland valuable. And the demand will only increase as more people seek stability during difficult times or want more room for their families.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a surge of people flocking to rural areas. It sparked interest in the cottagecore movement, which focuses on sustainability, simplicity, and agricultural life.

While the shift from city to rural life isn’t as strong as during the pandemic, many people still see the value in farmland. Expect demand to continue throughout the year.

Land Sales Trends in 2023 and Beyond

These trends demonstrate the value of investing in land in 2023 and beyond. It’s a stable asset that you can rely on.

Are you in need of a broker to find land for sale here in New York? Take a look at what we have available at Sutton Real Estate Company, or contact us with any questions you have about our listings.

Land Sales Trends in 2023: An Investor's Guide - Sutton Real Estate (1)

Land Sales Trends in 2023: An Investor's Guide - Sutton Real Estate (2024)

FAQs

Is land a good investment in 2023? ›

Land investment may not be as common as residential real estate, rental properties, or REITs, but it's looking like a solid choice in 2023, and beyond. Investments in land have steadily increased over the last decade. Investors may purchase land for agricultural purposes or residential and commercial real estate.

Why buying real estate in 2023 is a good investment? ›

Despite what some may think, 2023 is still a good year to invest in real estate, thanks to advantages like long-term appreciation, steady rental income, and the opportunity to hedge against inflation. Mortgage rates are expected to decline, but the housing market is likely to remain competitive due to low supply.

How to make money in real estate in 2023? ›

  1. House Flipping. Fix and flips are one of the most popular methods of making money in the real estate market. ...
  2. Rental Properties. Another way to invest in real estate is to buy property directly. ...
  3. House Hacking. ...
  4. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) ...
  5. Online Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms.
Jan 11, 2023

How much has the real estate market returned in the last 20 years in India? ›

Over the past 20 years, India's average property price has risen 6% each year, according to CRISIL. The Indian housing market has undergone significant changes over the past 20 years.

What type of land is a good investment? ›

#1. Farm Land: With the agricultural market increasing, investing in farmland has emerged as a profitable opportunity. Per statistics, farms have an average of 11.5% yearly return. Plus, having your money locked in farmland investment will settle out your risks and will generate a passive income source.

Will 2023 be a better year for investors? ›

Short of a recession — a very real possibility — consensus estimates are for about 5% earnings growth for S&P 500 companies in 2023. That's certainly less than what it was in years past, but still respectable.

Is now a good time to invest in land? ›

Vacant land is right now the most secure and affordable real estate investment. However, buying land requires time, research, and due diligence. Buyers must consider certain factors when choosing land. Determine your budget and start looking for trusted real estate websites to find affordable rural land for sale.

What are the real estate challenges in 2023? ›

Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate 2022-2023
  • Inflation and Interest Rates.
  • Geopolitical Risk.
  • Hybrid Work.
  • Supply Chain Disruption.
  • Energy.
  • Labor Shortage Strain.
  • The Great Housing Imbalance.
  • Regulatory Uncertainty.

Will interest rates go down in 2023? ›

Along those lines, organizations like Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association forecast that the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages will decline throughout 2023, continuing into the first quarter of 2024.

What is the best way to get rich in 2023? ›

  1. Earn more. I think one of the first steps for building wealth is to earn as much as possible for a while. ...
  2. Watch your student debt. There are different approaches to debt, but I tend to agree that there's good debt and bad debt. ...
  3. Separate time from money. ...
  4. Buy assets. ...
  5. Build assets. ...
  6. Start saving for retirement. ...
  7. Educate yourself.

How to make $1000000 a year in real estate? ›

How To Make A Million Dollars In Real Estate
  1. Learn About Real Estate Investing.
  2. Establish Your Goals.
  3. Start Now, But Start Small.
  4. Write Offers For Affordable Deals.
  5. Generate Cash Flow.
  6. Start Growing Your Portfolio.
  7. Invest In Larger Properties.
  8. Continue Growing To 1 Million Dollars.

How to invest 150k in real estate? ›

Where To Invest $150k In Today's Real Estate Market
  1. Wholesaling properties.
  2. Fixing and flipping homes.
  3. Buying and holding rental properties.
  4. Investing in mortgage debt.
  5. Private money lending to other investors.
  6. Stocks, REITs and partnerships.

What are average market returns over 20 years? ›

5-year, 10-year, 20-year, 30-year Average US Stock Market Return
PeriodAverage stock market returnAverage stock market return adjusted for inflation
5 years (2017 to 2021)17.04%13.64%
10 years (2012 to 2021)14.83%12.37%
20 years (2002 to 2021)8.91%6.40%
30 years (1992 to 2021)9.89%7.31%

What is the historical rate of return on real estate? ›

According to the S&P 500 Index, the average annual return on investment for residential real estate in the United States is 10.6 percent. Commercial real estate averages a slightly lower ROI of 9.5 percent, while REITs average a slightly higher 11.8 percent.

What are market returns for 20 years? ›

Stock Market Average Yearly Return for the Last 20 Years

The historical average yearly return of the S&P 500 is 10.05% over the last 20 years, as of the end of April 2023. This assumes dividends are reinvested. Adjusted for inflation, the 20-year average stock market return (including dividends) is 7.335%.

What is the smartest way to buy land? ›

One of the best strategies is to pay cash, because lenders consider vacant land a riskier investment than a house that's already built, and charge more to finance it as a result. If you plan to pay in cash, you'll want to budget for both the land and additional expenses like property taxes and utility installation.

Where is the best place to own land? ›

The Top 9 Best States to Buy Land in 2021
  • Arkansas. ...
  • Tennessee. ...
  • Utah. ...
  • Arizona. ...
  • Oregon. ...
  • West Virginia. Enjoy the endless mountains and land for sale in West Virginia. ...
  • Kentucky. Land in Kentucky is its most valuable asset. ...
  • Texas. If you are looking to create a farm or a ranch, Texas is the state you should focus on.
Dec 8, 2021

Is it smart to buy land and build later? ›

Perhaps there's a perfect property that comes up for sale and you don't want to lose it, so buying the land now and building later makes sense. From a financial perspective, it may be much more feasible to split up the investments and have time to rebuild your savings before being ready to build.

What is the best investment for 2023 recession? ›

9 Best Recession Stocks Of 2023
  • The Best Recession Stocks of June 2023.
  • Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX)
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. ( TMO)
  • Merck & Company, Inc. ( MRK)
  • PepsiCo, Inc. ( PEP)
  • CMS Energy Corporation (CMS)
  • Ameren Corporation (AEE)
  • Xcel Energy Inc. ( XEL)

What to expect financially in 2023? ›

In 2023, economic activity is projected to stagnate, with rising unemployment and falling inflation. Interest rates are projected to remain high initially and then gradually decrease in the next few years as inflation continues to slow.

Where best to invest in 2023? ›

Recap of the 10 best investments in 2023
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Short-term certificates of deposit.
  • Series I bonds.
  • Short-term corporate bond funds.
  • Dividend stock funds.
  • Value stock funds.
  • REIT funds.
  • S&P 500 index funds.
May 1, 2023

Is buying an acre of land a good investment? ›

Is it a good investment? Yes. Land is a tangible investment that will continue to go up in value over time. So, if a buyer purchases land today for $250,000, then in a few years, its value can increase to $400,000.

Is land the best long term investment? ›

Is buying land a good investment? In most cases, the answer is yes – as long as you're properly prepared. Investing in undeveloped land, however, isn't quite as simple as putting money down on a duplex. To ensure you're making an informed decision, we've outlined our top seven tips to know before purchasing land.

Will land prices go down in a recession? ›

Land prices also tend to drop during a recession period, but they almost always rise immediately after the downturn is over, which is why it might be a good time to consider buying land to build a home for the future or for investment purposes.

Will 2023 be a good time to buy a house? ›

Homebuyer.com data analysis indicates that, for first-time home buyers, June 2023 is a good time to buy a house relative to later in the year. This article provides an unbiased look at current mortgage rates, housing market conditions, and market sentiment.

What is the biggest challenge in real estate? ›

Dealing with unrealistic sellers

Many sellers compare their houses to those in the neighborhood and want to sell them as quickly as others. It's your responsibility to make them understand the real scenario. This is one of the most common problems that real estate markets face.

Will recession impact real estate? ›

Will house prices go down in a recession? While the cost of financing a home typically increases when interest rates are on the rise, home prices themselves may actually decline. “Usually, during a recession or periods of higher interest rates, demand slows and values of homes come down,” says Miller.

How high will interest rates go by the end of 2023? ›

Mortgage rate predictions for 2023
Housing Authority30-Year Mortgage Rate Forecast (Q2 2023)
National Association of Home Builders6.36%
Fannie Mae6.40%
Mortgage Bankers Association6.40%
Average Prediction6.35%
2 more rows
7 days ago

How high could interest rates go in 2023? ›

So far in 2023, the Fed raised rates 0.25 percentage points twice. If they hike rates at the May meeting, it is likely to be another 0.25% jump, meaning interest rates will have increased by 0.75% in 2023, up to 5.25%.

How high will home interest rates go in 2023? ›

“[W]ith the rate of inflation decelerating rates should gently decline over the course of 2023.” Fannie Mae. 30-year fixed rate mortgage will average 6.4% for Q2 2023, according to the May Housing Forecast. National Association of Realtors (NAR).

What is the fastest way to get rich and stay rich? ›

  1. Establish Financial Goals. To get rich, you need to start by defining exactly what rich means to you. ...
  2. Destroy Your Debt. ...
  3. Create a Cushion. ...
  4. Start Investing Now. ...
  5. Diversify Your Portfolio. ...
  6. Boost Your Income. ...
  7. Learn about FIRE. ...
  8. Avoid the Schemes.
Mar 24, 2023

How to get rich in next 5 years? ›

  1. Know Where Your Money Is Going. Knowing where your money is going is the first step of any successful financial plan. ...
  2. Financially Educate Yourself. ...
  3. Pay Down Debt. ...
  4. Have Multiple Sources of Income. ...
  5. Increase Your 'Grow' Category.
Mar 28, 2023

What is the best predictor of becoming rich? ›

According to new research, your planning capabilities and attitude towards money are two big drivers when it comes to accumulating wealth.

Does real estate create 90% of millionaires? ›

90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate.

Why real estate creates 90% of millionaires? ›

Federal tax benefits

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

How much income do you need to buy a $1000000 house? ›

To afford a 1 million dollar home, you need a minimum annual income of $200,000 to $225,000. You'll also need to have enough money saved for the down payment and closing costs, which can add up to over 20% of the purchase price.

What is the 1 rule in real estate investing? ›

What Is The 1% Rule In Real Estate? The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of the investment property against the gross income it will generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must be equal to or no less than 1% of the purchase price.

Can you retire with 150k? ›

This question is problematic because it depends on many things, such as your pre-retirement annual income, expenses, and retirement goals. However, in general, $150,000 is a good retirement income. This will allow you to cover most of your living expenses and leave some money for leisure activities and travel.

How to invest $20 000 dollars in real estate? ›

Now, let's look at eight different ways to invest in real estate with only $20,000.
  1. #1. Low down payment purchase. ...
  2. #2. Seller carryback. ...
  3. #3. Fix-and-flip. ...
  4. #4. Wholesale real estate. ...
  5. #5. Rent-to-own. ...
  6. #6. Buy shares in single-family rental property. ...
  7. #7. Real estate crowdfunding. ...
  8. #8. Real estate ETFs and REITs.
Oct 7, 2021

What percentage of investors beat the market? ›

And over a full 20-year period ending last December, fewer than 10 percent of active U.S. stock funds managed to beat their benchmarks. Still, every year, some actively managed funds do outperform the indexes. If you own one that does, you may not care about all the others that fail to do so.

Has the S&P 500 ever lost money over a 10 year period? ›

The term “Lost Decade for Stocks” refers to the ten-year period from 12/31/1999 through 12/31/2009, when the S&P 500® generated an annualized total return of -0.9% over the period. This was only the second time that the market actually had a negative total return over a decade period.

What is the average 401k return over 20 years? ›

What Is the Average 401(k) Return Over 20 Years? The average rate of return on a 401(k) ranges from 5% to 8%.

What is the 50% rule in real estate? ›

Like many rules of real estate investing, the 50 percent rule isn't always accurate, but it can be a helpful way to estimate expenses for rental property. To use it, an investor takes the property's gross rent and multiplies it by 50 percent, providing the estimated monthly operating expenses. That sounds easy, right?

What state has the highest ROI for real estate? ›

Investors probably need no explanation why and convincing that Florida tops the list of the best states for the long term rental investment strategy. Our nationwide rental market analysis shows that, on average, you can expect the highest rate of return in the Sunshine State.

What state has the best ROI? ›

1. Wyoming: 203% 5-year ROI on College. Wyoming has some of the highest wages for high school graduates: $31,936 a year, on average. This results in a 43 percent increase in pay for earning a bachelor's degree.

What was the lowest 20 year market return? ›

The worst 20 year return was a gain of less than 2% ending in 1949. This makes sense when you consider that period included the Great Depression and World War II. One of the neat things about the distribution of returns over 20 years is almost 90% of the time annual returns were 7% or higher.

What is the stock market return over the last 30 years? ›

Stock market returns since 1930

This is a return on investment of 566,035.36%, or 9.71% per year.

What is the stock market return for the last 30 years? ›

10-year, 30-year, and 50-year average stock market returns
PeriodAnnualized Return (Nominal)Annualized Real Return (Adjusted for Inflation)
10 years (2012-2021)14.8%12.4%
30 years (1992-2021)9.9%7.3%
50 years (1972-2021)9.4%5.4%

Is land held for future use an investment? ›

No, land held for sale is a current asset, but land held for future use is a long-term asset.

Is land the best long-term investment? ›

Is buying land a good investment? In most cases, the answer is yes – as long as you're properly prepared. Investing in undeveloped land, however, isn't quite as simple as putting money down on a duplex. To ensure you're making an informed decision, we've outlined our top seven tips to know before purchasing land.

Is land a good investment during inflation? ›

Investing in farmland as an inflation hedge. There's one more big reason that farmland is an especially compelling investment right now: inflation. Unlike mainstream financial assets, which tend to lose value when consumer prices go up, the value of farmland actually tends to rise when prices rise.

Will land ever depreciate? ›

When Does Land Depreciate? Land does not have a defined useful life, making it nearly impossible to account for depreciation. Its value may either rise or fall over time, depending on different factors. For instance, a real estate boom can push up land prices, while an environmental catastrophe can decrease values.

Is land a stable investment? ›

Buying raw land is a very risky investment because it will not generate any income and may not generate a capital gain when the property is sold.

Is land a current asset or long-term investment? ›

Land is not a current asset but a fixed asset (sometimes termed a long-term asset). A current asset is one that is most liquid for the business and is expected to be converted into cash within a year.

How do you know if a piece of land is a good investment? ›

If you want to discover the market value of land, consider analyzing several factors. Firstly, check the property's zoning, location, property size, and dimensions. Then, check prices of similar properties in proximity, number of potential buyers, road access, etc.

What is a good return on land investment? ›

Many variables are involved. For example, the size of the property, location, and associated risk all affect the acceptable ROI. In general, anything above 15% ROI is considered a great investment, and 10% or better is considered a good ROI on rental properties.

What is the most profitable property to invest in? ›

What Types of Commercial Properties Are the Most Profitable? High-Tenant Properties – Typically, properties with a high number of tenants will give the best return on investment. These properties include RVs, self-storage, apartment complexes, and office spaces.

What are the worst investments during inflation? ›

Holding long-term fixed-rate investments, such as long-term bonds, fixed annuities, and some types of life insurance policies, during inflation can be bad because their returns may not keep up with inflation.

What will a recession do to land prices? ›

Land prices also tend to drop during a recession period, but they almost always rise immediately after the downturn is over, which is why it might be a good time to consider buying land to build a home for the future or for investment purposes.

Is farmland a good investment 2023? ›

Is farmland a good investment? Farmland investments are often compared to other types of real estate investments, such as residential or commercial properties, and the answer is a resounding yes.

Is there a downside to buying land? ›

Land can be expensive to trade into and out of. There's real estate agent commissions, surveys, title insurance premiums, transaction taxes, etc. and all of these costs (those that you pay when you buy land and those that you pay when you sell it) reduce your profit.

What time of year is best to buy land? ›

Cold, Rain, and Snow Are Best For Purchasing Land

Colder months are the best time to buy a piece of land, which holds for both developed and raw land. With the holiday season and hunting, plus winter, there's less competition as properties listed have been on sale for months since the spring boom.

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