The Perfect Property
Location, Location, Location – the mantra of every real estate decision on purchase and price to buy or sell! While quite willing to give advice on such matters, no real qualifications are stamped on my resume and all advice should be taken with a grain of salt as my naivete has only slightly been diminished through age, wisdom and the realization I am not as smart as I thought I was! Notwithstanding a few recreational tracts of land have been purchased over my lifetime and lessons learned, usually the hard way has been hammered into my hard head! My ruminations may be of value or not, but I shall relate a few.
Like everyone else, we are all seeking the Shangri-La of hunting properties. Boone & Crockett Bucks hiding behind every tree, Mallards so thick you must take a broom to shoo them away to be able to drop your Crappie Line into the water, Boss Gobblers running in on your first tree yelp in the morning and non – hunting neighbors that live in another state who grow alfalfa and white oak trees on your adjoining property and have their property patrolled to catch would be intruders and are quite willing to let you hunt their property! This may be your ideal but actually finding this property is questionable. Is the property close to your residence where your spouse still expects you to be a good father and husband by watching the kids and doing shopping and other household chores during hunting season or so distant your electric pick-up can’t get there and back, or you must obtain an increase in your credit card limit to purchase gas!
Unless your spouse is wanting to get you out of town for a myriad of reasons – you must be able to sell them on this property purchase as an investment in their future as more than likely they will be helping you pay for the purchase. Don’t get too flowery on future potential as her divorce lawyer may use your words against you! Visit the local court house and research recent property transfers to get a realistic idea of true selling prices. You may find out the Outfitters or out of state absentee owners are selling out as they have burnt this area over the last few years.
Realtors are what they are. The trail cam pictures, if you are lucky, may be of massive bucks in the same county! Their suggested potential for use of this purchase is just that suggestions! If the property was so great it would have already been sold by owner through word of mouth so as to eliminate the realtors’ commission! Often family members through inheritance, disagreement or court order will list property with no intention of actually selling it unless they find a buyer foolish enough and rich enough to purchase for the asking price! Get the names of all owners adjacent your potential property and interview them. You will learn the potential and quality of the property and a feeling toward your neighbors as your goal should be to be friendly and able to get along with them but not be taken advantage of either. Remember the locals will know when you are there and when you are not. Some are quite willing to let you pay the taxes and finance the property while they and their friends reap the benefits! If neighbors have Rental Hunters, Lease, allow Outfitting or worse, give every “Billy Bob” in town permission to hunt – look elsewhere. Find a reputable realtor if needed, they do exist! Sleeper Properties are few and far between but researching the realtor sites may reveal one. Keep your eyes and ears open as word of mouth usually produces higher quality land!
Larger tracts of property often are beyond the means of an individual buyer. This may necessitate forming a group purchase, corporate sale or sub-lease potential. Although I would go in league with the devil for a good duck hole – through experience this will have many challenges too numerous to mention in this article! Know your potential partners and their spouses as they may disrupt the normal pecking order amongst male members. An ultimate decision maker is needed whose word is final as a democracy in a corporate or group setting will not work!
Change is inevitable. migration patterns, CWD, blue tongue, death, children, environmental, political and others too numerous to mention all affect your purchased property now and in the future. To have a place to hunt or fish also provides great satisfaction for now and the future legacy for your heirs to utilize – although I have been involved with many property deals – all have been a learning experience, and all have improved in value between purchase and their ultimate sale.
Although perfection is difficult to obtain, one should strive toward this goal in all facets of life including the purchase of real estate. The journey will be interesting!