Buying Land vs Buying a House – Which is the Better Option? (2024)

Buying Land vs Buying a House – Which is the Better Option? (1)

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Vijay Rana Buying Land vs Buying a House – Which is the Better Option? (2)

Vijay Rana

Highly Accomplished Real Estate Sales Professional @ Dubai Real Estate | Managing Portfolios of 120 HNI Investors.

Published May 16, 2023

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For new investors, the debate between buying land or a housecan be quite complex.

However, what most people fail to realize is that investing in vacant land can be much more profitable than the alternative. However, it remains a widely overlooked investment opportunity.
Whether you’re buying land to build a houseoras an investment, here are a few things you need to know before you make any big decisions.

THE LAND IS EASIER TO MAINTAIN.

  • Plots, without a doubt, are much easier to maintain than houses or even flats. Of course, it doesn’t mean you can buy a piece of land and then completely forget about it. But compared to other types of residential and commercial properties, owning a plot is relatively hassle-free.
  • For starters, there are a lot of things to look after when it comes to apartments and houses. For starters, both of them require a lot of upkeep. If you are planning to rent out your property for a quickreturn on your investment, bear in mind you would have to deal with everything ranging from minor plumbing and wiring issues to major renovation and remodelling projects.
  • Then there is the issue of dealing with tenants, some of whom can be really tough to negotiate with. While most people take care of their rentals like it’s their own place, some might not be as courteous. As a landlord, if you decide to rent out your property, you’ll be responsible to fix the peeling paint, discoloured wallpaper, scratched floors, worn out carpets, water damage and other inevitable issues that are bound to arise with time.
  • Take a look at some of the things tenants check out during ahouse inspection.
  • Meanwhile, if you’re buying land for investment purposes, then you don’t even have to visit it often. There are no utility bills to pay and property taxes on plots are also relatively low. Moreover, if your plot is in a secure location, which means there is a boundary wall, you only need to check it out once in a while to make sure there are no illegal encroachments or any other prominent damage – like a burst pipeline. If everything appears fine, you’re pretty much good to go.

Buying Land vs Buying a House – Which is the Better Option? (3)

THE LAND HAS HIGHER RESALE VALUE.

  • If you are confused whether to invest in land or a house, just remember more often than not, it is easier to sell a plot than it is to flip a house. The reason is simple: the resale value of buildings depreciate really quickly whereas the value of land increases with time.
  • While you may be able to instantly rent out a house or an apartment for a steady flow of cash, your property will continue to lose its value. Its market value will depreciate on account of old construction style, outdated design and general wear and tear. Construction of new, modern projects in the area offering better amenities could also have a negative impact on the price of your residential unit.
  • Meanwhile, compared to houses and flats, the value of land appreciates rather rapidly. That’s especially true if it is located in a popular area. After all, there is always a large number of affluent buyers who prefer buying land before building a house that fits their needs.
  • Not to mention, selling an older house could be a bit of a hassle. The reason being most homeowners have to spend money and time fixing major problems and making it look presentable to potential buyers.
  • This is probably the most important point in the buying land vs house debate.
  • Although there is no proper cash flow right away, buying land is an excellent choice for those interested in long term investment. Although a plot might just sit there for a while without making any profit, the high resale value will more than make up for it.

Buying Land vs Buying a House – Which is the Better Option? (4)

YOU CAN CALL YOUR OWN SHOTS.

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  • If you are buying land to build a house, you have complete liberty to do as your heart desires. Regardless of its size, it’s up to you whether to buy and hold land as an asset. After all, you can either sell it or construct a building on it. Not to mention, it is generally cheaper to buy land and build a house.
  • Of course, you’ll have to be careful about not going over your budget, obtaining permits and following the rules and regulations laid out by the concerned authorities.
  • However, you would still have an opportunity to design your home based on your personal preferences. For instance, if you want to construct a double story house with a front garden, you are free to do so. Similarly, if you have a particular floor plan in mind or want a pool in your backyard, you can incorporate that into your design. Of course, you’ll have to discuss it with your contractor first.
  • Even if the size of your plot is fairly small, you can build a multi-story building. In fact, you can even rent out a unit or two while living there yourself.
  • Moreover, as you will be able to call your own shots, you won’t have to think twice about using expensive but durable materials. The same goes for installing solar panels to save up on your electricity bill. Since installing a solar energy system is a big commitment, most homeowners might not agree to make such changes to their property. However, if you own the property, you can consider making this eco-friendly one-time investment without much interference from others.

Buying Land vs Buying a House – Which is the Better Option? (8)

PLOTS ARE RELATIVELY EASIER TO SELL.

  • Apart from having a significantly higher resale value, plots are also relatively easier to sell. That’s mainly because the inspection process is much simpler and a lot less complicated. A potential plot buyer would only check the location of the plot, availability of certain amenities such as gas and water along with any outstanding payments. They might also verify if there are any ongoing criminal or civil litigation issues they need to worry about.
  • Meanwhile, if you try to sell a house that was previously occupied either by you or tenants, the buyer would most likely do a thorough inspection of the structure’s foundations, flooring, plumbing, electrical wiring and so on.
  • Of course, investing in vacant land has its own advantages and disadvantages. You would not be able to instantly earn money through it. But you can actually make a lot more if you just let it sit there for a while.

However, at the end of the day, the winning argument in the buying land vs house debate lies in the reason you are buying the property.

Hope this will help you to invest wisely.

For further assistance or suggestion feel free to contact us.

"We The Land-Lockers"are here to help you to deliver the land of your best choice & dreams with no delay possibility projects only.

Here you will get quality service and in turn, low cost since we are service providers and not brokers.

We are 'LandLockers -Locking the lands of your dreams!'

Get in touch with us for more information and best options to invest into the Land.

Vijay Rana|Co-Founder

The Land-lockers

+971567197111

Helen Ann Myers

Publisher|Author|Registered Active Copyright Agent

4mo

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Thank you in advance.

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Lokesh Mehta

Founder and COO- LANDLOCKERS

1y

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Very knowledgeable

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Buying Land vs Buying a House – Which is the Better Option? (2024)

FAQs

Is buying land better than buying a house? ›

Better Investment Option

Additionally, the value of land has been steadily rising and is predicted to continue doing so. Compared to property, buying land requires less capital input. Buying land vs. house requires extremely less maintenance compared to a house.

What are the disadvantages of owning land? ›

While California boasts huge upsides, the Golden State does have a few less favorable aspects: regulations on water usage, the cost of living is higher than other states, and wildfires are always a threat in the state's specific zones.

Is a house more valuable than land? ›

Building Value - The estimated building structure value for that property. For example, in some areas, the land the home sits on may be 50% of the total property value, while in other places the land may be more valuable than the actual structure on the property.

Should I pay off my land before you build? ›

Buying the land to build your house is likely to be one of the most expensive items in the overall construction cost. However, securing a construction loan is already quite complex, and, if you can, it makes sense to buy land separately from your construction loan. The best way to do that is to buy the land up front.

Is land still the best investment? ›

Certainly, land investment is considered a less risky and profitable choice as compared to other forms of investment. There are many benefits of land investment, especially avoiding many of the complications that can come with other types of investment.

Why do people buy land? ›

What are the main benefits of buying land in California? Key benefits include appreciation potential, high demand, limited supply, location, development opportunities, tourism growth, and population growth. California offers one of the most lucrative yet supply-constrained real estate markets.

Why is land a risky investment? ›

Buying raw land is a very risky investment because it will not generate any income and may not generate a capital gain when the property is sold.

What are the benefits of buying land? ›

Unlike houses and commercial buildings, there are no mortgage or utility payments and no extra bills to pay. Furthermore, property insurance isn't even required when land is purchased outright. The best part? Depending on the land you buy, taxes can be incredibly low.

Is owning land an asset? ›

Is Land a Current Asset or Long-Term Asset? Land is classified as a long-term asset on a business's balance sheet, because it typically isn't expected to be converted to cash within the span of a year. Land is considered to be the asset with the longest life span.

Does land keep its value? ›

The land is a finite tangible asset that is neither created nor destroyed, a characteristic that keeps increasing its value. Land with enough resources is usually more valuable than that land without such things. The land can be used for a variety of purposes such as agriculture, mining, logging & much more.

Is it better to have land or cash? ›

CASH IS KING – Maintain your liquidity - Purchasing land requires a HUGE capital investment. Once the cash is spent, you lose your ability to act quickly on future needs and investment opportunities. Liquidity is how quickly your assets can be converted to cash.

What decreases the value of a home? ›

Physical aspects of the property, such as poor curb appeal due to yard maintenance or unattractive paint jobs, as well as interior aesthetics like outdated kitchens and bathrooms, can also decrease a home's value.

How much money should you save before buying land? ›

Typically, a land loan requires a 15 to 20 percent down payment. Keep in mind that the more money you put down, the more attractive you will be to lenders, and the lower your interest rate and monthly payments will be.

Is it better to keep land or sell it? ›

Selling could be a good option to exchange a physical asset for liquidity or a different asset that provides a consistent passive income. Selling your land may be the best option if you're looking for an exit strategy or want more freedom, cash flow and time in exchange for the time it takes to manage your land.

Should I buy land first then build? ›

Pros and Cons of Buying Land First

Pro: Having a lot acquired can help you secure a more encompassing bank loan for construction. Some banks will cover the entirety of your building expenses with a construction loan. Con: Buying land first then building means more upfront equity.

Is buying land a good way to make money? ›

Purchasing land outright and holding onto it as an investment can increase your equity over time, especially as the property appreciates. As the market value of the land increases, so does your equity, providing a potential profit margin upon resale.

Is it smart to buy land and build later? ›

I'd say, you're more likely to find a better deal by finding off market land to buy at a deep discount and then build on that land. You'll acquire more equity in this situation. Anything (land or a house) is going to have a mark-up, if not already at market value, when it's on the market.

Is buying land the same as a mortgage? ›

In general, a land loan works similarly to a standard mortgage. If you are approved for this type of loan, your lender will provide you with funds to buy your chosen lot of land. You will then pay them back, with interest, over the following years.

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