Real Estate - Recreation Property

- Timber - Wildlife Habitat - Ranch - Waterfront  - 

This website will explore the Search for Recreation Property and the Factors that affect the Recreation Property Real Estate Market Value.

When Purchasing Recreational Property

Get Educated! 

 Research the area on the Internet.  "Google It" ... You can Google Earth for an Aerial view of the Property.   There is a lot of research  you can do from home on your own computer.   Visit the local area Bar or Tavern and find out what the "locals" know about the subject Property.   There is no substitute for Well Informed Buyers.  Purchasing recreational property can be very complicated; make sure you get ALL due dilligence of the facts regarding a property out of the way prior to signing a purchase agreement.

Purchase property that fits your needs.

People purchase Recreational Properties for different reasons. Define your intended property use and needs prior to beginning your search.

Property not used for its intended purpose tends to lose value, such as a Recreational Ranch, not being used for ranching.

Factors That Influence Recreational  Property Market Values

Location Location Location:

Recreational properties located near metropolitan, urban and popular recreational areas are highly sought after and therefore carry higher market values than properties located in morerural or remote areas. However, as the demand for Recreational Properties increases, and the supply near metropolitan and popular recreational areas diminishes, remote recreational property market values will appreciate.

Access:

Recreational property accessibility is extremely important when determining the market value of a property. Recreational properties are accessed in the following ways:

 

   By Public Road:

This is the best form of access. The property is accessed directly from a maintained road.

 

 

Through Public Land:

The property is accessed via logging road, ATV trail or walking trail. Vehicle’s may or may not be able to access the property depending on road conditions and legal issues. An easement or license would have to be granted by the proper governing authority to gain the legal right to access the property. Lenders often require a property buyer to obtain legal access in order to secure a loan.

 

Through Private Land:

An easement or permit is needed to cross private land. If an easement or permit will not be granted by a private party, a cartway permit can be filed with the proper governing authority. A cartway is an administrative process by which the governing bodies of a township determine how a property shall be accessed. There are time and legal issues associated with this process and we recommend you consult a lawyer prior to purchasing property that is only accessible through private land.

Waterfront:

There is a huge demand for property that contains lakeshore, river frontage or lake access. Waterfront property is very expensive relative to property that does not contain lakeshore, lake access or river frontage. Waterfront market values are further influenced by factors such as lake zoning class, lakeshore and lot size requirements to build, water clarity, species of fish available and exclusivity of the property.  

Land Composition:

The land composition of property is very important in determining market value. Properties with an abundance of high ground provide good building sites, while properties that are composed of low ground and/or swamp may provide no building sites but can provide exceptional recreational opportunities.

Timber:

Timber carries both scenic and commercial value. Timber has become a valuable investment in recent years due to increased demand for paper, lumber and firewood. Properties that contain marketable timber are much more valuable than properties that have been recently logged or contain no marketable timber. Timber management, through selective harvesting, also enhances property value by creating timber diversity; which is important for wildlife habitat development.  

Development Potential:

Construction and Development  is possible on most recreational properties. However, it may not be possible to build on some properties due to access issues, land composition, and/or land use restrictions such as Conservation Easements.

Property Boundaries:

Due to their relatively remote locations, most recreational properties do not have marked or surveyed property boundaries. A survey is needed to determine the exact property boundaries.  

Utilities:

The availability of utilities such as water, electricity and gas are important factors in determining property value. Utility availability is usually associated with the location of the property relative to public roads.

Taxes:

The local county tax assessor’s office determines taxes based on many factors that include: recent comparable sales, appraised value, and the property’s tax use classification. Agricultural, Ranch, Residential, Commercial, Undeveloped, etc.