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.

  • 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.

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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

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Helen Ann Myers

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Thank you in advance.

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Lokesh Mehta

Founder and COO- LANDLOCKERS

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Very knowledgeable

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

FAQs

Buying Land vs Buying a House – Which is the Better Option? ›

The main difference between buying land vs. home ultimately comes down to your purpose of investment. Going ahead and buying a house rather than a plot of land may save you both time and money. However, if you intend to construct a home and lease it out, a land can be a better option.

Is buying land better than buying a house? ›

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.

What's more valuable, land or house? ›

The land: 77 percent. And it will come as no surprise, really, that in the San Francisco metro area it was even worse: The average home here, including all those Victorian beauties, accounted for just 19 cents of every dollar the property was worth. The land underneath: 81 cents on the dollar.

Does land appreciate more than a house? ›

Although it depends on the market, raw land can be expected to appreciate between 3% and 4%. Also, land tends to hold its value better than housing. There are numerous reasons why property goes down, such as being next other property like powerplants and landfills.

What is the downside of owning a lot of land? ›

You can expect copious paperwork and red tape when buying land in California. State and local regulations strive to protect resources and residents, but also hamper development. Navigating zoning, environmental rules, building codes, and permitting processes takes considerable time and money.

Can land be a good investment? ›

The oft-cited mantra of "buy low, sell high" resonates powerfully with land as an investment. Its enduring nature offers stability and potential for significant returns in the long run. While the real estate market can be volatile, land stands as a solid asset that generally appreciates over time.

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.

What costs more, the land or the house? ›

Having said that, the cost of land (any land) in L.A. is exorbitant right now. (It's a sellers' market right now; I would highly recommend that you wait). That would all depend on the land and the house. In general, a house should cost around three times the land value.

Will land always go up in value? ›

Land values increase when demand for land exceeds the supply of available land or if a particular piece of land has intrinsic value greater than neighboring areas (e.g., oil can be found on the land).

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.

Is it smarter to buy land and build a house? ›

In general, you'll likely find it cheaper to buy an existing home, but market conditions always affect home prices. A home loan is less risky than a land loan and typically comes with a lower minimum down payment and a better interest rate.

What adds the most value to land? ›

Firstly, consider improving the property's infrastructure, such as installing fencing, access roads, or utilities like water and electricity. These enhancements can make the land more desirable and functional, increasing its overall value. Additionally, consider the potential for diversifying the use of your land.

Will land be valuable in the future? ›

Appreciation Potential

This permanence and the inexorable forces of supply and demand mean that land value typically appreciates over time. Certain types of land, such as that located in burgeoning areas or with unique natural features, can see stratospheric growth in value, especially over years or decades.

Why buying land is better than house? ›

Higher Resale Value

The explanation is simple: the value of land increases over time but the resale value of a home gradually decreases. This implies, with time, your home will consistently decrease in value.

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 risks of buying land? ›

Risks of Buying Vacant Rural Land
  • Limited Utilities: Unlike urban or suburban areas, rural land may not have access to public utilities such as water, electricity, or sewage systems. ...
  • Environmental Factors: Rural areas may be prone to natural disasters such as floods, wildfires, or earthquakes.
Apr 22, 2024

Is it cheaper to buy or build? ›

Key takeaways. The purchase price of a completed new-construction home tends to be higher than that of an existing home. The cost to build a home from scratch can be cheaper, but a lot depends on labor costs and the home's size and finishes.

Is it cheaper to move a house or build one? ›

That's significantly more than the cost to move an existing house. While the cost of land may increase the total cost to move a house above that $200,000 average, in most cases, it will be more affordable to physically move a house you love than it would be to build or buy a new one.

Is land a good investment in 2024? ›

But if you're wondering whether 2024 is a good year to invest in land, the answer is a resounding yes, no matter what actually happens. Specific factors make this year the time to add a new land asset to your portfolio. Let's explore some of the reasons.

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