Everyone hears about the people who have gotten rich buying real estate.  While this is a common way people make money, they are usually buying properties that have buildings on them.  They then rent out the premises to make money. Once they build enough equity in the property, they sell it or move on to the next, and so forth.  While this is a proven technique, the question remains, is buying land a good investment? The answer depends on what you are looking for in an investment.  If you plan to purchase property and build on it, then you've probably got a system already working for you.  If you want to buy land to have it sit around, it's less likely to bring you to early retirement than other investment options, but it can be a great start.  Vacant land is typically cheaper than a developed land area, which lowers the barrier to ownership.  Some properties may even be cheap enough; you can avoid having a bank involved.  Just like any investment, research your area, and find the right property. Then you can get creative to make money with the property while you own it.

Appreciation

Appreciation is a popular method for making money in real estate.  You buy a house for 100k and sell it for 150k a few years later.  This theory doesn't quite hold with vacant land.  Unless your land or property becomes more desirable from a change in circumstances, vacant land typically only appreciates about as much as inflation.  This means not much money will be made, and even less buying power will come from letting property land areas sit and appreciate.  If you want to make sure your money doesn't suffer from inflation, then buying land can be better than having your money sit under the mattress, as long as the taxes and fees don't set you back. Is it likely the land you are considering will become more desirable? This may be an extended play, but if you think the piece of property will become more profitable, it may appreciate more than average.  Say you had a few acres near a city and the city was growing.  In 5 years, the city may reach a point where your property is keeping it from becoming; this can call for a premium price that a developer will pay to keep the town progressing outward.  Maybe your neighbor wants to grow, and they want your property.  Properties may be appraised for one value, but they are only really worth what someone is willing to pay for it.  If someone wants it, it could drive the price up.  People often look back and wish they had bought a property that is now a booming business area or growing suburb.

Agriculture

Are there agricultural benefits for the land?  While investors typically look for an area with buildings they can rent out to a business or a family, if you find the right property, you can still rent or sell features of the land.  If there's an active field on the property, rent it to a local farmer. They already have the equipment, and it gives them an easy way to grow their farm without a capital investment. And you create an income source. If there are trees that can be harvested and sold, you've got another potential income source. This is usually in 25-year intervals, but you may only have to wait a few years to have mature pines to harvest.  Free-range farming is becoming popular as the world has started caring about what's in the food they are eating.  Free-range farms require large pastures that can rest and regrow before being grazed repetitively.  If you're near a farm, they may look to lease your property as a place to let their cows graze.  On top of this income source, there's a good chance they improve your property while they're using it.

Leasing

Can you lease the land for hunting? This may be pennies on the dollar compared to the price of the property, but it could still add up a substantial amount.  Large tracts of land can lease for well over $15000.  Who wouldn't like an extra $15000 to help cover the bills.  Even just getting enough to include property taxes and essential maintenance isn't something to overlook. If you're looking for the property to add to your hunting portfolio, take into consideration the money you'd no longer be throwing into an annual lease. Many of the income sources listed can be utilized without affecting your hunting experience, so you'll still have opportunities to think about.

Business

Are you looking to start a business to make the investment worth it potentially? You may want to start your farm.  Be creative. Outside of conventional farming, you can make money selling quail to hunters.  Some niche farms can be less work or higher profit for smaller pieces of land.  You can also tap into special agricultural tax breaks. Let people come camp, ride ATV's, or horses for money. Many people love to be outside for leisure and would instead borrow yours than buying for themselves. Build a small barn and use the property as an event venue. Farm weddings are getting popular, and the right property could be booked out for years.   Buying a piece of property can open a lot of business doors, you've got something many people don't use it to your advantage.