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Are you looking to buy land, but your budget is tight? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore areas where to buy cheap land.
Are you looking for affordable land for building a retirement home? Or do you want to purchase cheap land for prospecting? Or maybe you are looking for affordable land that you can develop?
Whether you are planning to buy land for prospecting or developing, there are several areas where you can find cheap land. Some of the places where to buy cheap land include New Mexico, Arkansas, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, Utah, Maine, Michigan, and West Virginia.
Buying land on a budget can sometimes be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. We’ve identified 10 states where you can buy cheap land.
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Table of Contents
Overview
Unlike other forms of investments, land rarely depreciates. Hence, buying vacant land can be a great future investment. Furthermore, with vacant land, you have the freedom to do with it as you wish.
For instance, you can decide to farm, build a retirement home on the land, turn it into an apiary, use it for timber harvesting, convert it into a camping ground, set up storage facilities, put up a biking course, raise livestock or grow crops, just to name a few.
Simply put, there are numerous income-generating opportunities available, which you can explore with your vacant land. And unlike investing in real estate, vacant land comes with lesser management responsibilities.
Now, you may be probably thinking that you need to be a wealthy individual to purchase land. The reality is that there are several places across the country, where you can find affordable, cheap land.
Best Places to Buy Cheap Land
Without a doubt, buying land is an idea worth considering. And while land is considered an expensive commodity, you can still manage to find some cheap, affordable land. In this section, we will explore some of the places in the country where to buy cheap land. Here are some of the best places to buy cheap land.
New Mexico
From the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the Chihuahuan Desert, fertile valleys to grasslands, New Mexico has one of the most diverse landscapes in the nation. Also, its capital is renowned as a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer months.
Tourists are attracted by its vibrant cultural scene, stunning Spanish colonial architecture as well as numerous upscale spas spread across the city. Santa Fe is also home to the open-air Santa Fe Opera, as well as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, among other attractions.
Furthermore, both its economy and the population are on the rise. Simply put, New Mexico comes across as a great place for someone looking to buy a piece of vacant land.
But isn’t land in this state too expensive? On the contrary, land in New Mexico is not as expensive as you may think. Currently, you can purchase an acre in New Mexico for around $1,500 in the prime areas. And if you don’t mind purchasing land close to the desert areas, then you can get an acre for even less than $200. Besides, the state has plenty of available lands.
So, whether you are looking to purchase land for hunting, ranching, farming, or simply for residential use, then you should check out New Mexico. The land in this state is affordable for most people and readily available.
Arkansas
From mountain biking to boating, hiking to fishing, hunting to camping, Arkansas is renowned for its vast outdoor recreation opportunities. And just like New Mexico, Arkansas also has diverse landscapes, ranging from dense forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, streams, and lowlands, just to name a few.
Furthermore, Arkansas has a growing economy, a growing population, and a low cost of living. And this makes it the ideal place to purchase land for either speculation or development.
So, what is the cost of land in Arkansas? Well, an acre of land vacant pastureland in Arkansas costs approximately $2,700, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture. The average cost of land per acre in the U.S is approximately $20,000. As you can see, Arkansas remains one of the best places to buy cheap land.
Hence, whether you are looking for the cheapest land for building a home, a place to build a weekend cabin, farming land, or land for hunting, Arkansas has something for everyone.
Oregon
Oregon is also a geographically diverse state. In this state, you will come across almost all types of natural features and environments such as mountains, lush forests, clear lakes, and volcanoes. It also borders the pacific coastline. Oregon is also home to the Alvord desert. Also, this state has a robust economy.
There are several areas in Oregon where you can find cheap land for either prospecting or developing. If you are looking for the cheapest land in this state, then you should check out the southern and western parts. The average cost of land per acre in Oregon is around $3,000.
However, you can also find cheaper land even close to the cities like Bonanza, Plush and Adel. Some of the other places where you can find cheap land for sale in Oregon are Summer Lake, Service Creek and Christmas Valley.
Whether you are looking for commercial, recreational, waterfront, hunting, timberland, lakefront or camping land, your options are almost endless in Oregon. And as mentioned above, the average cost of land per acre in this state is way below the national average.
Tennessee
While Tennessee may be landlocked, it has a lot to offer. It is renowned for its strong country music culture. Its capital Nashville is the home of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, as well as numerous dance halls spread across the city.
Memphis, Tennessee, located in the southwest part of the state, is another robust tourist destination. Visitors are mainly attracted by the Elvis Presley Graceland, among other key attractions.
Another notable attraction in this state is the Great Smoky Mountains, which are located in eastern Tennessee and along the border with North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountains offer plenty of hiking, camping and fishing opportunities, not to mention the stunning mountain views. Besides, it’s among the few states in the country where there’s no state income tax.
With so much to offer, you may assume that land in Tennessee is too expensive. But the reality is that land in this state is not as costly as you may expect. According to Acre Trader, land in Tennessee is currently going for around $4,000 per acre. And as this state continues to grow, you can expect to profit from your land investment in Tennessee.
Maine
Maine is known for its heavily forested timberland and rugged coastline. It’s also one of the least densely populated states in the U.S. It features plenty of unorganized territories and most of the land in this state is remote and secluded, which may explain why it may be among the cheapest in the country.
Furthermore, cheap land for sale in this state comes in large lots. While the asking price may appear higher, the land is highly affordable, especially when you consider the cost per acre.
Northeastern towns like Connor Township, Castle Hill, and Van Buren are where you will find cheap land for sale in Maine. Other towns where land is affordable in Maine include Dyer Brook, Amity, Linneus, and Cary. And if the southern areas are your preference, then you should check out places like Hermon, Franklin, and Perkins Township.
West Virginia
Located in the Appalachian region, West Virginia’s terrain is highly mountainous. And this explains why it’s called the mountain state. West Virginia boasts lots of tourist attractions, the notable one being the Harpers Ferry. The Harpers Ferry is located where the Shenandoah River and the Potomac meet. West Virginia also has lots of historic parks and monuments.
Also, its economy has witnessed considerable growth over the years. And, this growth rate doesn’t seem to slow down any time soon. Coal mining, manufacturing, and agriculture remain the largest industries in this state.
While West Virginia may be highly mountainous, you can still find decent pieces of affordable land. Depending on the location that you choose, you can get an acre of land in West Virginia for as low as $1,000. And considering that only 7% of West Virginia’s land is developed, this state presents a great opportunity for investors that want to purchase land for prospecting.
Michigan
Michigan is composed of two large peninsulas. These are the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula. And as much as this state is highly populated, you can still find areas that are sparsely populated and remote, particularly in the Upper Peninsula. And this is where to buy cheap land.
Also, you can find affordable waterfront and riverfront land, which is usually some of the most expensive. For instance, the land surrounded by Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior is quite affordable. The reason why the waterfront land in these areas is considerably cheaper than in other areas is due to the off-the-grid, remote nature of the landscape here.
An acre of land in Michigan costs approximately $5,000. But, if you don’t mind going completely off-grid, then you can find lots that cost as low as $1,000 or even lower, especially in the Upper Peninsula.
Texas
When it comes to Texas, the picture that comes to mind for most people is remote, desert land. But the truth is that only 12% of the land in Texas is classified as desert land. So, it’s not as arid as most people assume. In fact, Texas has a wide range of landscapes and terrains, including grasslands, wide-open prairies, forests and coastlines.
Also, Texas has several college towns and rich cosmopolitan cities. While the weather may not be as friendly as some of the other areas on this list are, thousands of people are moving to Texas every year. And this explains its rising population.
When it comes to buying land in Texas, you have several district market regions to consider. And as you may expect, the prices will vary from one district market to the other. But on average, it has some of the cheapest lands in the country.
For instance, you can purchase an acre in the West Texas region for only $1,300. And in case you want to live close to a city, you can get a piece around Dallas Fort Worth area for only $2,500 an acre, which is way much cheaper compared to similar properties in other cities.
Colorado
If you ask most people, they will tell you that land in Colorado is extremely pricy. While this may be the case, especially in areas like Steamboat Springs and Aspen, you can still find affordable, cheap land in Colorado.
Some of the areas where to buy cheap land in Colorado include the desert areas, especially in the Southeast cities like Campo, Kim, Hasty, and Eads. In these areas, you can find cheap and affordable land, going for as low as $1,000 for an acre. And if you don’t mind living in desert-like conditions, then you can explore the West area, where you can get an acre for around $500 to $1,000.
The land is also cheap down south in areas like Moffat, Del Norte, and Walsenburg. Here an acre of land costs anywhere between $750 and $1,000. And if the central areas of the site are your preference, then you should check out Yoder, where you can get an acre for around $1,000.
Utah
Utah is mainly composed of three distinct geographic areas. These are the Colorado Plateau, the Rocky Mountains as well as the Basin and Ridge Region. And similar to other states that have made this list, Utah is geographically diverse.
A significant portion of the state is composed of arid deserts and rugged terrain, and this explains why most of its settlers are concentrated around the Wasatch Front, whose landscape is quite fair. Due to its rugged terrain and challenging landscapes, you can expect to find cheap land to buy in several areas of the state.
You can find parcels of land going for as low as $500, especially in the Northwest parts of the state like Grouse Creek. You can also find affordable pieces to buy in the central areas, especially outside cities like Fillmore and Delta.
Considerations When Buying Land
As you can see, there are several places around the country where you can find cheap land to buy. But, before you rush to purchase a piece of land, there are a couple of key factors to consider to ensure you get value for your money. Here are some of the key considerations when buying land.
Location
One of the key factors to consider when buying land is the location, regardless of where or why you are buying the land. If you are planning to purchase land for prospecting, make sure you buy it in a location where it has resale value. If you are planning to set up a business on the land, then you should make sure there are enough customers in that location.
And if you are buying it to build your house, then make sure the area is habitable. Also, it should be in a location where you have access to key facilities like restaurants, shopping, schools, and healthcare facilities. The property should also have road access, regardless of whether you intend to develop it or not.
Zoning Restrictions
Zoning laws determine what you can do with a piece of land. So, if you are planning to develop the piece of land that you will buy, you should make sure that it has been zoned for that specific function. For instance, you can’t put a commercial facility in an area that has been zoned for residential buildings.
Also, you should pay attention to the future land use plans for that area. For example, you may end up purchasing land and building a house. Later on, an interstate may pass through there, leading to an uncomfortable experience.
Availability of Utilities
If you are planning to purchase land for prospecting, then may not bother checking for the availability of utilities. But, if you are planning to develop the piece of land in the future, you should make you have utility access.
This will include things like gas for heat, electricity, phone, TV, internet, sewage, and water. In case you can’t find a vacant lot with utilities on-site, you should at least find one that won’t cost you too much to install them.
Potential Risks
You should also check the potential risks that come with a certain piece of land, before spending your money. For instance, some areas are prone to natural fires, flooding, and landslides, among other dangers. So, if you buy such a piece of land, you may never get approvals to develop it or even find someone to resell it to.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it – a list of the best places where you can buy cheap land. Regardless of where you decide to purchase your piece of land, make sure you pay attention to the factors we’ve listed above to make sure you get a piece of land that aligns with your needs.
About THE AUTHOR
Brittany Melling
Brittany has been in the land business since 2020 when the world was starting to shut down. Since then, we’ve sold to dozens of people from ATV weekend warriors to camping enthusiasts to retired truck drivers. Our inventory spans mostly in the western United States. We’ve been trained by experience, land acquisition courses, and hundreds of hours meeting with county assessors and clerks, zoning officials, realtors, and land investors. We’ve answered hundreds of questions from people regarding the buying and use of land.
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