Hey guys I’m kind of familiar with most of the land types but there are some that are a little tricky can someone explain how me adding agriculture land or vacant land(nec) to my list would be beneficial?
On the surface, agricultural would be land used for farming. That doesn’t mean it is being used for farming or that it’s even sensible to do so, it’s just zoned that way.
Even then, you’d still have to dig into the municipal zoning code to understand what is or isn’t allowed under that zoning classification.
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Hey, yes land types can definitely get tricky, especially when you’re trying to figure out how they fit into your plans. Adding agricultural land to your list could be a great move if you’re thinking about long-term investment or even generating some income through leasing it out for farming. It’s got potential for steady returns, especially in Texas where demand for crops or livestock can be solid, and over time, the value might appreciate too if the area develops.
As for vacant land, that’s a bit of a wildcard but can be super versatile. You could hold onto it for future development, especially if it’s in a growing area near commercial hubs, or flip it if the market spikes. The benefit here is flexibility—you’re not locked into one use, and it’s often cheaper upfront compared to developed land. Just keep an eye on zoning laws and any future infrastructure projects that might boost its value. Have you got a specific area in mind?
Most zoning codes have “permitted uses” and “conditional uses”, and it’s helpful to know where to find those for a specific jurisdiction.
For example, in our area, farmland is mostly zoned as EFU - Exclusive Farm Use. Agricultural use is permitted outright. But, if you look at the “conditional uses” many other things, including building single family homes, are allowed by executing a “land use” process. Depending on the jurisdiction the land use process can be expensive and time consuming. But, if you pick up a property in a desirable area for the right price, it may be worth it to execute on that process. Or at least be able to talk to it as you are marketing a property.
Most definitely. I found this out pretty quickly when I started trying to develop a semi-truck parking lot this past year. Just because a property is zoned ‘commercial’ or ‘industrial’ does NOT mean the municipality is okay with you using it as a semi-truck parking lot (at least, not without a truckload of conditions… no pun intended).
Are we talking Ag vs rural land? Is it the same or looked at differently?
We run into a fair amount of land that people have rezoned agricultural because its taxed significantly lower in that county. In certain areas that’s actually something the realtors look at as a plus when selling it. In most cases you can still build on it. We don’t rule out agricultural when making our list because often we’re finding its not farming land but the vacant lot type we’re looking for.
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