Land deals out there...

[C-Cat]

As I mentioned in some other threads before, the government/BLM/Forest Service etc. is starting to clamp down on our community and particularly boondocking. So I proposed (and HOWA is also already on that case) to buy cheap private land all over the US and get a guest exchange going (similar to the caravans or something like Boondockers Welcome). So if anyone here finds an interesting deal or is looking, please participate in this thread. Here's one I found today:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/80300-Screech-Owl-Rd-Twentyninepalmsu-CA-92277/2097882886_zpid/

 

[MrNoodly]

I see those small abandoned houses east of Twentynine Palms when driving between there and Amboy. I always wonder what the story is. And I sometimes have fantasies of buying one and turning it into a nomad way station. But I don't have money for those places or the repairs and improvements I'd need/want to do.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have a buddy that used to live in 29 palms actually he and his wife have been to the RTR. when they say that place is rebuildable don't believe it, the county wants most of those demolished and new houses put in. it is surprising that place is so cheap, I have to wonder why. he said those places have really gone up in price, even the junk ones. they ended up buying a place out on highway 247 about 20miles to the west. I know you are not suppose to live in RV's on your property but many do. many also camp on their properties in their RV's, so it might work. but beware in many of those areas the neighbors are goody two shoes and will call the county on everything. in other areas everyone is fine. it's kinda hit and miss. highdesertranger

 

[C-Cat]

It's a subdivision near Twentynine Palms that was planned mid century but never took off... there are some incredible land deals out there, but yeah, it may be still out of reach for many. Here's some history and data on the area: https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ca/twentynine-palms/cadiz

Another good hunting ground is southwest of Tucson... the Diamond Bell Ranch subdivision is interesting! https://www.redfin.com/neighborhood/405566/AZ/Three-Points/Diamond-Bell-Ranch/land

 

[B and C]

I kinda looked at that Diamond Bell stuff. One lot had a well drilled to 500 feet and then capped. Water and septic might be problems.

 

[C-Cat]

I have a buddy that used to live in 29 palms actually he and his wife have been to the RTR.  when they say that place is rebuildable don't believe it,  the county wants most of those demolished and new houses put in.  it is surprising that place is so cheap,  I have to wonder why.  he said those places have really gone up in price,  even the junk ones.  they ended up buying a place out on highway 247 about 20miles to the west.  I know you are not suppose to live in RV's on your property but many do.  many also camp on their properties in their RV's, so it might work. but beware in many of those areas the neighbors are goody two shoes and will call the county on everything.  in other areas everyone is fine. it's kinda hit and miss.  highdesertranger

True, there can be issues... nobody should rush into any of these deals...

 

[C-Cat]

Already pending... that was quick, lol

 

[bullfrog]

My understanding is most of the areas around Tucson (Pima County) only allow you to live in an RV on the property so many days while constructing a permanent structure. I'm sure you could probably have a buy/sell scheme with two lots and two owners but transfers would get expensive. Several list lots that you can camp on but I would want that verified by the county zoning authority as to the definition of camping is before buying. Caballo Loco RV park is just south of Diamond Bell Ranch and has 80 or so occupied spaces. It has been for sale for several years but the owner wants to preserve the way it has been operated (it has a large boondocking area that is basically used by tenants for storage/parking during the summer months) as part of the sale which would discourage buyers looking to make big profits. This year Coyote Howls enacted rules that caused some residents to move to Caballo Loco even though it is more expensive as Coyote Howls apparently needs to make more profits to continue to operate. I think following the Escapees Club example of buying older remote existing RV parks with attached vacant land for expansion makes a lot of sense. The main difference being the old full hookup sites could be shut down instead of repaired to make more boondocking and keep operating costs at a minimum. One of the main expenses is road maintenance when looking at remote locations as many times the property owners are required to keep the road open in order to maintain right of way agreements with the government agencies that manage the surrounding land.

 

[ckelly78z]

I would never want to be a landlord for boondockers who have no vested interest in the property. I could see a joint venture on a property, but too many opinions/cooks in the kitchen would quickly ruin a good thing, and could potentially be a financial disaster for all involved.

 

[Qxxx]

"So I proposed (and HOWA is also already on that case) to buy cheap private land all over the US..."

From the looks of it, Boondockers Welcome involves people who live on their land welcoming boondockers. I would imagine that owning small parcels of land all over the US would be a complete disaster, unless there was full-time host in every place.

 

[RVTravel]

What criteria for the best parcel of land?

 

[Ken in Anaheim]

What criteria for the best parcel of land?

#1 WATER
#2 NO ZONING RESTRICTIONS

 

[Cammalu]

Kentucky is gorgeous and cheap

Woodlands and open fields, plenty of wildlife, a lake and several ponds.

 

[Cammalu]

Yes its not cheap but very cheap for what you get. How many acres are they looking for? I was looking at land around Quartzite and for lots it was more than $50,000. I can’t imagine what acreage would cost.

 

[Qxxx]

Yes its not cheap but very cheap for what you get. How many acres are they looking for?  I was looking at land around Quartzite and for lots it was more than $50,000. I can’t imagine what acreage would cost.

I bit ago I posted a link in the other RTR thread, 
https://www.landwatch.com/default.aspx?ct=R&type=268%2C6843%3B5%2C29%3B6%2C1441%3B361%2C75465&sort=SZ_D

Near Bouse, 9 parcels, 20 to 150 acres, $60,000 to $150,000.

 

[crofter]

Kentucky IS gorgeous. But a quarter million $ is not cheap, even if the lot is 266 acres. 

To accumulate $250k, could collect $1k from 250 people. I would really like to see this members campground come to life, even if I never personally used it, it would be there for others. 

For a campground, you would need an operating budget for taxes, electricity, water well, access road maintenance at the minimum. -crofter

 

[Qxxx]

$250,000 / 8,000 forum members = $31.25 apiece.

 

[Cammalu]

They don’t want ky anyway. I’m sure they are looking west. Would be great to have it within a few miles of Quartzsite though

 

[Cammalu]

Crofter, I’ve certainly been wrong before but I think they were going to use it for boondocking so wouldn’t need all the campground stuff?

The requirements they are looking for are really going to require a lot of research.

 

[crofter]

I checked out a "free" land site and most of the towns wanted s&b constructed on the free land, with a deposit required. Many were in places like Kansas, Iowa, but there was one in Colorado. I looked at land around Pahrump, but thought it was pricey-at least 1k per acre. The desert mountain setting there was beautiful though.  Big question remains with land use permitted for rv living or not. -crofter