Buying land in Arizona or Nevada

[tamm]

I watched a video on how to choose a home state, and it was an eye opener. I began researching Arz and NV, DMV charges for transfering. Arz seens to be the cheapest.

Also, I would like to ask your thoughts on land ownership in both states. I was thinking of purchasing 1-2 acres to have a base to move to for seasonal weather. I have medical condition that Arz climate would help, but cant take the cold to much.

 

[Canine]

It's never a bad idea to have a couple of acres somewhere to call your own.I would recommend Az for the ability to change elevation with the seasons.I've spent a lot of time in Tx over the years but wouldn't live there on a bet.Good Luck.

 

[mockturtle]

Water could be a big issue.

 

[akrvbob]

In AZ I recommend Apache county as the least intrusive with codes and permits. It is along the New Mexico border. NV is surprisingly cold in the winter. It's the Mojave desert and it's all fairly high (above 2000 feet) so it will be colder than AZ. The wind in the desert is always an issue, but NV takes it to whole another level. The wind can be unbearable.

No taxes in Nevada, as far as I'm concerned that's the only reason to choose it.
Bob

 

[skyl4rk]

In AZ I recommend Apache county as the least intrusive with codes and permits. It is along the New Mexico border.

We drove AZ 191 from Canyon de Chelly (Chinle, AZ) to Reserve, NM.  The area around Alpine, AZ, which is in Apache County, is spectacular.

 

[SoulRaven]

Just never take the realtor's word for what is and is not allowed. Go to the county office or find the county online, even better, many have their codes online and after reading make a copy and take questions to the county office before purchasing.

Also, be careful that the land you buy actually has public access meaning a way for you to get to it. Sometimes there is an "understanding" about crossing the property of others, I just couldn't buy into that one. We looked at something isolated once in AZ, $18,000 for a well and that was over 20 years ago and access seemed "dicey" at best. Watch for requirements for septic tanks also.

 

[ldmccain]

Yes call the assessor with the apn number of the land listing and make sure you can get a physical address.
This will take care of your domicile and access questions.
No address = no access and no domicile

Wandering Larry

 

[akrvbob]

Wells are pretty much out of the question in much of AZ. The kind of places most of us are wanting to throw-together will use rain-catchment part of the year, and hauling in water the rest of the year. Both of those are easy, just a bunch of 55 gallon drums.
Bob

 

[Vanholio]

Texas (and probably New Mexico and Arizona) have areas along the border called "colonias." These are unincorporated areas without building codes (or at least enforcement). A lot of poor folks live there, especially Mexican and Central American immigrants, because they can buy some land cheap and build a house piece by piece as they earn cash. But I've considered that a few acres in such a place might be great for my purposes. However, I haven't looked into all the particulars, so I can't advise on technicalities.

 

[Nemo]

Just never take the realtor's word for what is and is not allowed.  Go to the county office or find the county online, even better, many have their codes online and after reading make a copy and take questions to the county office before purchasing.

Also, be careful that the land you buy actually has public access meaning a way for you to get to it.  Sometimes there is an "understanding" about crossing the property of others, I just couldn't buy into that one.  We looked at something isolated once in AZ, $18,000 for a well and that was over 20 years ago and access seemed "dicey" at best.  Watch for requirements for septic tanks also.

I believe that in AZ is is a legal requirement that you have access to the property.. be it through easements or an established trail/road, you cant be denied access.

 

[DannyB1954]

Arizona has State income tax. Depending on your income, Nevada may be better. You can always vacation in Arizona.

 

[Cammalu]

I'm finally going to stick this out here. My mother has 75 acres in Apache county that neither she, nor anyone in my family has ever seen. There has not been any interest in this land by me or any of my sisters and I think she would sell. As far as we know it's out in a flat desert some ten miles from a small town or Indian reservation. Over the years my mom has repeatedly said it might be worth more one day if the Indians ever put in a casino. We really have no idea what it looks like but if any of you plan to visit that area I'd sure appreciate if you could look. I think my mom would just as soon sell but I'm am curious at to what it is. I can go thru her papers tomorrow to see if there are coordinates or what directions she has. We are way, way far in Kentucky. Thanks


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[wfromm]

I'm wondering why Wyoming isn't on the list of suitable states for domicile. There is no state income tax, low property taxes, low sales tax rates and the state is much closer to the majority of the BLM land. The only negatives are heavy winds and cold winters.

 

[highdesertranger]

something like 70% of Nevada is BLM or FS. Nevada sits right in the middle of the largest chunk of BLM and FS land in the lower 48. this land stretches into CA, OR, ID, UT, and AZ. almost the whole state of NV is a free campground. highdesertranger

 

[wfromm]

Yes, I know Nevada is mainly BLM. I should have clarified that I meant in comparison to Florida or South Dakota, or Texas. I am not suggesting that it is better than any other location. In fact, I prefer Arizona. I was merely wondering why Wyoming was not on the list. Look at my initial sentence in the post. That is the main gist of the post.

 

[akrvbob]

Actually, Wyoming is a pretty good choice, I'm not sure why more people don't at least consider it.
Bob

 

[Headache]

Actually, Wyoming is a pretty good choice, I'm not sure why more people don't at least consider it.
Bob

They say it's because if the wind stopped the locals would fall over!

 

[WriterMs]

Though I love, love, love Montana better than any other state (it is, after all, the "last best place"), I have been thinking that if/when I settle someplace again after I get to travel a lot more, that place might be around Laramie, WY.

I was a NV resident for a few years (during winters for 6 months plus at least one day for IRS purposes), but the s&b was in Clark County and the vehicle fees and other costs were much higher than most other places in NV... so do check all such government fees when you look into a county.

I mention the tax thing because, according to a tax attorney friend with a J.D., if the IRS or a state ever looks closely at your taxes (an audit) they look at where you physically spend your time and NOT what your legal residence is. So if you have residency in NV or SD but it can be shown that you spend 7 months in AZ, then you owe state taxes to AZ. My ex was a CPA and we lived in NV for 6 months plus at least a day, because his primary reason to be a NV resident was to not pay state income taxes.

The likelihood of being "caught" with spending your time in another state seems very, very slim. But for any reading this topic who have a strong interest in not paying state taxes, please check out this detail for yourself!

 

[Vagabound]

In AZ I recommend Apache county as the least intrusive with codes and permits. ...

Unfortunately, as of July 2015, it seems that's gone the way of the buffalo:

* http://www.wmicentral.com/public_no...cle_d8f2a066-2b43-11e5-967e-53a3e7b314a0.html

I've been searching, passively, but for months now online and I have yet to locate any place that hasn't adopted the international building codes as their base set of rules.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I've considered the areas around Lander, Pinedale, Western edge of the Black Hills, and Southern end of Big Horns,WY for relocation.

 -- Spiff