For many individuals, buying a new home or a piece of land does not seem all that different. The reason is that both acquisitions are considered to be a property purchase.
However, there are many differences that you should keep in mind when considering investing in real estate. You should be aware of all the pros and cons related to both investment possibilities.
Here are some significant differences between buying land and buying a home.
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Maintenance
One of the major benefits of buying land is that plots are simple to take care of.
Although, this doesn’t mean that you can invest in land and then completely ignore it. But managing a piece of land can be far less complicated than managing other kinds of residential and business assets.
There are several decisions that need to be made when investing in a home. For example, remodeling, repairs, and even basic utilities.
In contrast, it isn’t even necessary to regularly visit your land, especially if you’re buying it as an investment. You won’t have to worry about paying any utility bills. Additionally, the property taxes assessed on your land aren’t excessive.
Financing
It can sometimes seem difficult to get financing from banks for the purchase of land. Many institutions that would typically finance real estate or suburban homes won’t do so for tangible investment like land. This may seem like a significant drawback, but there are always other options.
Most financial advisors typically refrain from taking this kind of risk because they view it as being extremely dangerous. However, there are land investors that do offer their own financing, making the whole process much easier. So, don’t feel like all hope is lost, because, with a little bit of research, it can all be possible.
Besides, there are different types of loans available for buying a house and land.
Also, something else of note is that the length of your average is 30 years while the length of land loans is typically 15 years.
Authority
No matter how much land you have, the decision to buy and keep it as an investment is entirely up to you.
The owner of the land is completely free to use their land in all respects. The owner can use it for cultivating crops, building a house or farm, or both.
Of course, you’ll have to exercise caution to ensure you don’t exceed your set budget.
Following the terms of your land contract, you must obtain licenses and abide by all laws and ordinances. However, you would still be able to design your home (if you choose to build one) based on your personal preferences.
Higher Resale Value
When deciding whether to invest in a piece of land or a house, keep in mind that a plot of land is typically simpler to sell than a home. The explanation is simple: the value of land increases over time but the resale value of a home gradually decreases.
Your home will consistently decrease in value. Even though you might be able to promptly rent out your home for a reliable source of income due to its outdated appearance and routine wear and tear, its economic value will decrease over time.
The value of your house can also decrease as a result of the development of new, contemporary neighboring buildings that offer greater amenities.
Alternatively, the worth of land increases rather quickly in contrast to homes. This is particularly true if the land is situated in a well-known or well-equipped location. Also, a sizable portion of wealthy buyers always favor purchasing land as an investment over pre-built houses.
Further, don’t forget that it could be challenging to sell an old house. As the majority of homeowners need to put both time and money into addressing significant issues to make their homes appealing to prospective buyers.
This is arguably one of the most crucial questions to ask when buying land -Will the land’s resale value be higher than its purchase value?
Despite the lack of immediate revenues, purchasing land is a wise decision for people looking to make long-term investments. The high resale value will compensate for the fact that the land can simply lie there for a long period without producing any profit.
The Land value summary survey report USDA, National Agricultural Statistics, shows that the value of cropland has increased by an average of $320 per acre (7.8%) from the previous year 2021.
Source: USDA NASS
Source: USDA NASS
Better Investment Option
Both types of investments have their fair share of benefits and drawbacks. But purchasing land is frequently regarded as a superior option due to the numerous advantages it offers.
For instance, you will benefit if you buy USA Land as there are minimal restrictions enforced by the USA government. Additionally, the value of land has been steadily rising and is predicted to continue doing so.
If you ask yourself – why buying land is a good investment, you can come up with several reasons such as –
- Compared to property, land requires less capital input.
- Land requires extremely less maintenance compared to a house.
- Due to the varied client expectations, selling a house at the optimum price is more difficult than selling land at high prices due to the great demand for it.
Conclusion
The main difference between purchasing a piece of land and a home ultimately comes down to your purpose.
Going ahead and buying a house rather than a plot of land may save you both time and money if you intend to construct a home and lease it out. On the other hand, purchasing a plot can be a far better choice if you’re intending to make a financial investment.
Furthermore, whether you’re buying a house or a plot of land, it’s in your best interest to have a seasoned real estate agent on your side.
Working with an expert offers many benefits, including helping you to understand the market. Knowing when the market is experiencing a boom phase will help you make fruitful investments. You’ll increase your future earnings by conducting the required research and getting expert assistance.
