Lou Jewell ALC's Blog

Three tools to help you find Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:10:48 -0700

Three tools to help you find Land.

Several articles have come out about how you find Land to invest in. Here are three tools I have used for years to help locate and evaluate Land.

If you are interested in a specific market area Google the county and state and use the search words "Surry County NC MLS" for example. MLS stands for Mutable Listing Service. Wikipedia defines MLS "A Multiple Listing Service (MLS, also Multiple Listing System or Multiple Listings Service) is a suite of services that enables brokers to establish contractual offers of compensation (among brokers), facilitates cooperation with other broker participants, accumulates and disseminates information to enable appraisals, and is a facility for the orderly correlation and dissemination of listing information to better serve broker's clients, customers and the public. A multiple listing service's database and software is used by real estate brokers in real estate .... representing sellers under a listing contract to widely share information about properties with other brokers who may represent potential buyers or wish to cooperate with a seller's broker in finding a buyer for the property or asset.® The listing data stored in a multiple listing service's database is the proprietary information of the broker who has obtained a listing agreement with a property's seller."

This is the data source used by most real estate firms to promote and share their listings around the country to members of their local MLS. Not all areas have a MLS, and it makes it harder to source information for what is available. A lot of real estate company websites have linked with their local MLS service and through IDX, International Data Exchange, all data is feed to their site usually once a day.

If you are looking in an area without a MLS service, you will have to rely on the local real estate firm to help you. Not all MLS organizations participate in IDX.

Wikipedia defines IDX "An Internet Data Exchange (IDX) is a real estate property search site which allows the public to conduct searches of approved Multiple Listing Service properties in a certain area.

Site users generally gain the benefit of anonymous property searching and review. IDX sites usually provide less detailed information than the full Realtor Multiple Listing Service, limiting the data to that which is deemed publicly accessible. This system benefits both parties. The benefit to realtors is that users of their IDX web site can search freely, establish some confidence, and qualify themselves before contacting the realtor. The benefits to clients are to save time and refine his target.

Certain rules apply to the real estate companies' ability to display each detail about a property. These "display rules" are set by the Multiple Listing Service organization, which generally forms its policy around the recommendations of the National Association of Realtors.

IDX policy is nearing its replacement by a new Internet Listing Display policy being formed by the National Association of Realtors.

A common and standard data exchange protocol for IDX information is the Real Estate Transaction Specification or RETS."

By identifying a real estate company, and there may be more than one, this link service will have all current listings in their jurisdictions. Our MLS service in our immediate market is the Triad Mutable Listing Service. It is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and currently has 19,000+ active listings posted and covers 14 counties around Winston-Salem to include several counties in Southern Virginia. We also on our company website have links to five other MLS sites in our expanded market, but these MLS organizations do not have IDX services.

There are several versions of the IDX system and for example, our site www.danriverrealstate.com has the most current version of IDX MLS feeds. One of the problems with a lot of the "Third Party Users" sites is that they are not updated frequently or rely on the agent to keep them up. This can be frustrating in that when you find something you really like to find out that it was closed six months ago.

Another tool is GIS, Geographic Information System. According to GIS.com "A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.

GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.

A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared."

If you are looking for Land...Google "Surry County NC GIS", for example. If the county or jurisdiction has a GIS site, you will be able to pull up aerials and possibly topography maps, flood pains, tax cards, deed information, soils, school and fire districts and other important information. These sites are invaluable tools for evaluating Land. Most counties have GIS for their jurisdiction, but there are still a lot of areas that do not. It those situations, use Google Earth maps. The drawback with Google Earth, which is a wonderful tool is that they do not incorporate tax maps for specific parcels, which makes it hard to evaluate a particular site. It also is lacking with another information that a county or jurisdiction will have found on a GIS site.

Last, go to www.rliland.com Realtors® Land Institute and find a Realtor® who has had formal Land training. We are not taught anything about Land in real estate school so 99.9% of our Realtors® have no formal Land training. These three combinations will help you find that right Land investment.

Here is a bonus. Watch for RPR "Realtor Property Resource" According to RPRblog, NAR's "Second Century Initiatives include the creation of the Realtors Property Resource^TM (RPR), an online real estate library/archive that will provide real estate professionals with data on every property in the United States.

This initiative will provide access to a national database of real property information and will give real estate professionals the best access to real property information needed to serve their clients and customers. It will include in-depth, trusted information on every parcel of real property, including public record information, details of prior transactions, MLS-provided information, zoning information, transfer tax information, and other relevant information.

The initiative will be based on the collaborative efforts of REALTORS® and the real estate community, including MLSs. It will drive development and implementation of data standards and definitions, and will increase the breadth, depth, immediacy and power of real estate information available to REALTORS®.

The RPR^TM will provide unmatched access to a single-source national compilation of tax and assessment data; property data; neighborhood, school, demographic and psychographic information; and maps, trends and reports. It will be exclusive to members of NAR, and members of subscribing MLS/CIE's who are participants of the RPR.

There will be no public access to the RPR^TM, and the database and its data cannot be shared through consumer websites.

The RPR^TM is not a national MLS, and will carry no offers of cooperation and compensation comparable data, liens, zoning, permits, environmental, neighborhoods, school districts and community demographics."

This soon to be launched site as mentioned above will be only for Realtors®. There will be ways to identify the users once the site has been launched.

Lou Jewell ALC

Accredited land Consultant

"An Advocate for Land"

Three tools to help you find Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:07:13 -0700

Three tools to help you find Land.

Several articles have come out about how you find Land to invest in. Here are three tools I have used for years to help locate and evaluate Land.

If you are looking in an area without a MLS service, you will have to rely on the local real estate firm to help you. Not all MLS organizations participate in IDX.

IDX policy is nearing its replacement by a new Internet Listing Display policy being formed by the National Association of Realtors.

A common and standard data exchange protocol for IDX information is the Real Estate Transaction Specification or RETS."

GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.

A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared."

There will be no public access to the RPR^TM, and the database and its data cannot be shared through consumer websites.

This soon to be launched site as mentioned above will be only for Realtors®. There will be ways to identify the users once the site has been launched.

Lou Jewell ALC

Accredited land Consultant

"An Advocate for Land"

"Well, if things get very tight, we can always unload our Peter max collection."

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:19:11 -0700

Hard times are here...to stay?

It was the summer of 1980 when I received in the mails with no return address a newspaper clipping of a cartoon drawing from the Detroit Free Press with a heading "Guindon's Detroit". It depicted an older couple in their kitchen when one says "Well, if things get very tight, we can always unload our Peter max collection."

I had joined the Artists Peter Max's staff earlier that year while I was living in New Your City. The cartoon did not mean a whole lot to me then even though economic times were hard.

Now, thirty years later, I am having to sale part of my collection to make ends meet. Speaking to Realtors® all over the United States, I am hearing from those that are left in similar situations.

What is our Government doing to us? How long can their insane decisions being made continue? What can I do about it? What is next?

My long time friend and mortgage broker stated to me last week that he had made four mortgages since January. One of my commercial builders told me yesterday that by this time next year 50% of the commercial builders in the state will disappear. One of our local grading companies just lost a $4,000,000 project to grade a tract for a new school and the county cancelled the project due to lack of available funds. I can continue on, but I am sure you are hearing the same things where you are.

So, I have decided to part with some of my Peter Max collection to hopefully bridge the gaps between closings which are fewer and fewer.

Let me know if you are interested or know of someone who may be.

Unfortunately it is that time.

Peter Max Original Ink Drawing/s

I had the privilege of working for Peter 1980 to 1984. Peter is constantly drawing, but has never really sold many of his original pen and ink works. You will not find his drawings for sale. See www.pertermax.com

Created in 1987 although not dated, I witnessed their creation.

The art surface is 6" X 9 1/2" simply matted and framed in stained oak.

Drawn in black ink on Arches paper and gently stroked with acrylic blend.

" Zero and Friend"

"Flying Angel"

"Sail Boat"

"Lady and Umbrella Man"

$3,500.00 each or $10,000.00 for all four

Great investment

Past sales have yielded up to $10,000.00+ per drawing.

Call me if you are or know someone who may be interested.

336 669 1405

Lou

93 Plus Potential Land Disclosure Issues

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:03:18 -0800

Anyone involved in a typical Land transaction, leasing, buying or selling may be exposed to 93 plus potential Land issues. For years now I have advocated for need of a "Land Disclosure" form throughout our country. So far only four states have such a document available for the real estate industry and they are Arizona, California, Georgia and Tennessee.

Most states have "Residential Property Disclosure" forms which are executed at time of the listing by the sellers and reviewed and signed off by the buyers during the offering process. We recommend these forms to also be used even in cases where you are selling without the assistance of a real estate firm.

North Carolina's "Residential Property Disclosure" form has only twenty-one issues, far less than the Land form who should have and fewer than other comparable forms found around the country.

Here are a few examples of the ninety-three plus potential Land Disclosure issues currently in place by the four states previously mentioned.

"Are you aware of any?"

Encroachments

Easements

Endangered species: Plant Animal

Flooding whether currently or previously

Forfeiture of rights (mineral, timber, development, etc.)

Government sponsored clean-up of the property

Goundwater contamination

Illegal uses (manufacture of liquor, methamphetamine, marijuana cultivation, etc.)

Landfill operations: legal or illegal or previous planned

Mineshafts or tunnels

Noxious fumes or odors

Pipelines (natural gas, petroleum, etc.)

Well water contamination: current or previous

Conservation Easements

Stream Restorations

"Are there any Gravesites on the Property?

"Are there any animal cemeteries or animal burial sites?

"Are you aware of the presence of:"

Asbestos, Benzene, Fuel/chemical storage, Paint (Lead based paint) (Other paint/solvents), Methane gas, Pesticides, Radioactive material, Radon gas, Underground storage tank(s), EPA Phase I, II or III studies.

"Are you aware of any past or present issues or problems with any of the following on the property?"

Soil settlement/expansion

Drainage/grade

Earth Movement

Erosion

Flooding

Fissures

Dampness/moisture other than around rivers, streams, lakes, etc.

Sliding

Wetlands or previous wetland areas

Do you have a survey? When was it done? Who did the survey? Do you have a copy? Has it been recorded?

Is or will it be subject to protective covenants, conditions or restrictions?

Is the legal owner(s) of the Property a foreign person or a non-resident alien pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA)?

Is the Property located in an unincorporated area of the county?

Is the Property subject to extra territorial jurisdiction?

What is the current zoning of the Property?

Has the property been timbered in the past 25 years?

Harvest monitored by a Registered Forester?

Timber replanted after the harvest with (species)

Is the property in an Agricultural or Forest tax deferment program?

Coming soon "Carbon Credits" that will also need to be disclosed.

Land can have a lot of issues and knowing all the aspects involved is critical for all involved in any of these transactions.

The Real Estate Industry "Realtor®" program has an established "The Realtor® Code of Ethics" as a guideline for practicing real estate. This code has seventeen articles. Article 11 states:

"The services which Realtors® provide to their clients and customers shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which is reasonably expected in a specific real estate disciplines in which the engage; specifically, residential real estate brokerage, real estate syndication, real estate auction, and international real estate." (Our Professional Standards Committee voted unanimously in Washington in May this year at the NAR Mid-Year Convention meeting to include the four letter word "Land" in Article 11 of the code, subject to the Executive Committee final approval this fall).

"Realtors® shall not undertake to provide specialized professional services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to the assignment should be set forth." (Amended 1/95)

See: http://www.realtor.org/MemPolWeb.nsf/pages/COde

Unfortunately when one goes to real estate school around the country and takes the 160 +/- hours of classroom instruction and testing, they are not taught about Land, Commercial real estate, Property Management, etc., only about residential property and real estate law. Do not assume that all real estate agents have the knowledge in the specific areas of brokerage.

If you are buying or selling Land or Farms or Ranches, make sure to find a member of the Realtors Land Institute to help you in this process. Specifically look for an Accredited Land Consultant, their Designation for those experts in Land who have worked hard to achieve it.

See: http://www.rliland.com for the nearest RLI agent and the RLI programs and educational opportunities.

Consult with a Land attorney if you plan to create your own "Land Disclosure" form. If you are a real estate agent, please check with your Broker-in Charge before creating or using even if your state has a standard required "Land Disclosure" form already approved. The potential risks and liabilities created because of non-disclosures can be very costly.

Lou Jewell ALC

Accredited Land Consultant

"A Voice for Land"

12/2009

93 Plus Potential Land Disclosure Issues

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:00:52 -0800

93 Plus Potential Land Disclosure Issues

North Carolina's "Residential Property Disclosure" form has only twenty-one issues, far less than the Land form who should have and fewer than other comparable forms found around the country.

Here are a few examples of the ninety-three plus potential Land Disclosure issues currently in place by the four states previously mentioned.

"Are you aware of any?"

Encroachments

Easements

Endangered species: Plant Animal

Flooding whether currently or previously

Forfeiture of rights (mineral, timber, development, etc.)

Government sponsored clean-up of the property

Goundwater contamination

Illegal uses (manufacture of liquor, methamphetamine, marijuana cultivation, etc.)

Landfill operations: legal or illegal or previous planned

Mineshafts or tunnels

Noxious fumes or odors

Pipelines (natural gas, petroleum, etc.)

Well water contamination: current or previous

Conservation Easements

Stream Restorations

"Are there any Gravesites on the Property?

"Are there any animal cemeteries or animal burial sites?

"Are you aware of the presence of:"

"Are you aware of any past or present issues or problems with any of the following on the property?"

Soil settlement/expansion

Drainage/grade

Earth Movement

Erosion

Flooding

Fissures

Dampness/moisture other than around rivers, streams, lakes, etc.

Sliding

Wetlands or previous wetland areas

Do you have a survey? When was it done? Who did the survey? Do you have a copy? Has it been recorded?

Is or will it be subject to protective covenants, conditions or restrictions?

Is the legal owner(s) of the Property a foreign person or a non-resident alien pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA)?

Is the Property located in an unincorporated area of the county?

Is the Property subject to extra territorial jurisdiction?

What is the current zoning of the Property?

Has the property been timbered in the past 25 years?

Harvest monitored by a Registered Forester?

Timber replanted after the harvest with (species)

Is the property in an Agricultural or Forest tax deferment program?

Coming soon "Carbon Credits" that will also need to be disclosed.

Land can have a lot of issues and knowing all the aspects involved is critical for all involved in any of these transactions.

The Real Estate Industry "Realtor®" program has an established "The Realtor® Code of Ethics" as a guideline for practicing real estate. This code has seventeen articles. Article 11 states:

See: http://www.realtor.org/MemPolWeb.nsf/pages/COde

See: http://www.rliland.com for the nearest RLI agent and the RLI programs and educational opportunities.

Lou Jewell ALC

Accredited Land Consultant

"A Voice for Land"

12/2009

Nationional Realtor Land Institute VP Campaign Letter to RLI Members

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:09:02 -0700

Greetings RLI Members

Disclose, disclose, disclose is drummed into our heads constituently. Even though we are lovers of Land and Land transactions, I'd venture to guess that probably all of us sale a home once in a while.

Most states have a "Residential Disclosure" mandatory forms. But very few states have a "Land Disclosure" form. In my research, Arizona, California, Georgia and Tennessee currently have one.

Last December I submitted my research to our North Carolina Commercial Form Committee. In May I was asked to join the committee and we are now moving forward with a "Land Disclosure" form for our state.

It is interesting that our North Carolina "Residential Disclosure" form has 28 entries. Taking the four state forms and private forms that were collected, there are 93+ entries that pertain to Land.

See my article:

http://www.landthink.com/land-buying-investing/due-diligence/93-plus-potential-land-disclosure-issues/

If your state does not have one, get involved and find the right committee that is responsible for your forms. There are a lot of liabilities that can be avoided with a comprehensive "Land Disclosure" form. If your state does have one, I would appreciate a copy to add to our research and shared with others.

If enough states adopt a comprehensive "Land Disclosure" form we may have an opportunity to pay lower Errors and Omission fees. This could be a wonderful membership benefit for RLI.

As your Vice President of RLI I will continue to identify and support the issues that can make our industry stronger and more efficient for all of us.

Online voting is accessible September 4-18, 2009, through the member - only section of the RLI website:

http://www.rliland.com/Login.aspx

Lou Jewell ALC

A Voice for Land

Would you like to learn about Land?

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:56:38 -0700

Would you like to learn about Land?

Want to learn about Land and Land Brokerage, then come to our next Realtors® Land Institute "Land 101" Class October 28^th & 29^th in Greensboro, North Carolina.

As real estate brokers and agents, we are not trained in real estate school anything useful in Listing or Selling Land. Our Realtors® Land Institute, established in 1944 and part of our National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Our website is www.rliland.com and here you can learn about our organization and about the ten Land classes we offer.

Land 101: Fundamentals of Land Brokerage

In this introduction to the land specialty, aspiring land professionals learn the basics of land brokerage, including the various types of land; the land brokerage process; the 1031 tax-deferred exchange process; market value; property rights and restrictions; subdivisions and assemblage; and environmental and regulatory issues.

In his is a two day, 16 hour accredited course and you will receive 4 hour North Carolina C.E Elective credits for by attending. We have catered lunch each day and one the first day during lunch, we will have a panel of experts speaking of current events and marketing.

Bring your "Haves" and "Wants" for a mini marketing session...Make contacts and make money...

You may go to this link https://sites.google.com/site/loujewellalc/ for the class registration link.

Come join us. I have been teaching this class since 2003 and have taught over 1,500 agents from 27 states.

My next class is in San Diego, Californian November 10^th & 11^that our NAR National Convention, so if you can not come to Greensboro, I'll see you in San Diego. Do not miss these opportunities. Land is where it is at right now.

93 Plus Potential Land Disclosure Issues

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:03:27 -0700

93 Plus Potential Land Disclosure Issues Anyone involved in a typical Land transaction, leasing, buying or selling may be exposed to 93 plus potential Land issues. For years now I have advocated for need of a “Land Disclosure” form throughout our country. So far only four states have such a document available for the real estate industry and they are Arizona, California, Georgia and Tennessee. Most states have “Residential Property Disclosure” forms which are executed at time of the listing by the sellers and reviewed and signed off by the buyers during the offering process. We recommend these forms to also be used even in cases where you are selling without the assistance of a real estate firm. North Carolina’s “Residential Property Disclosure” form has only twenty-one issues, far less than the Land form who should have and fewer than other comparable forms found around the country. Here are a few examples of the ninety-three plus potential Land Disclosure issues currently in place by the four states previously mentioned. “Are you aware of any?” Encroachments Easements Endangered species: Plant Animal Flooding whether currently or previously Forfeiture of rights (mineral, timber, development, etc.) Government sponsored clean-up of the property Goundwater contamination Illegal uses (manufacture of liquor, methamphetamine, marijuana cultivation, etc.) Landfill operations: legal or illegal or previous planned Mineshafts or tunnels Noxious fumes or odors Pipelines (natural gas, petroleum, etc.) Well water contamination: current or previous Conservation Easements Stream Restorations “Are there any Gravesites on the Property? “Are there any animal cemeteries or animal burial sites? “Are you aware of the presence of:” Asbestos, Benzene, Fuel/chemical storage, Paint (Lead based paint) (Other paint/solvents), Methane gas, Pesticides, Radioactive material, Radon gas, Underground storage tank(s), EPA Phase I, II or III studies. “Are you aware of any past or present issues or problems with any of the following on the property?” Soil settlement/expansion Drainage/grade Earth Movement Erosion Flooding Fissures Dampness/moisture other than around rivers, streams, lakes, etc. Sliding Wetlands or previous wetland areas Do you have a survey? When was it done? Who did the survey? Do you have a copy? Has it been recorded? Is or will it be subject to protective covenants, conditions or restrictions? Is the legal owner(s) of the Property a foreign person or a non-resident alien pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA)? Is the Property located in an unincorporated area of the county? Is the Property subject to extra territorial jurisdiction? What is the current zoning of the Property? Has the property been timbered in the past 25 years? Harvest monitored by a Registered Forester? Timber replanted after the harvest with (species) Is the property in an Agricultural or Forest tax deferment program? Coming soon “Carbon Credits” that will also need to be disclosed. Land can have a lot of issues and knowing all the aspects involved is critical for all involved in any of these transactions. The Real Estate Industry “Realtor®” program has an established “The Realtor® Code of Ethics” as a guideline for practicing real estate. This code has seventeen articles. Article 11 states: “The services which Realtors® provide to their clients and customers shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which is reasonably expected in a specific real estate disciplines in which the engage; specifically, residential real estate brokerage, real estate syndication, real estate auction, and international real estate.” (Our Professional Standards Committee voted unanimously in Washington in May this year at the NAR Mid-Year Convention meeting to include the four letter word “Land” in Article 11 of the code, subject to the Executive Committee final approval this fall). “Realtors® shall not undertake to provide specialized professional services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to the assignment should be set forth.” (Amended 1/95) See: http://www.realtor.org/MemPolWeb.nsf/pages/COde Unfortunately when one goes to real estate school around the country and takes the 160 +/- hours of classroom instruction and testing, they are not taught about Land, Commercial real estate, Property Management, etc., only about residential property and real estate law. Do not assume that all real estate agents have the knowledge in the specific areas of brokerage. If you are buying or selling Land or Farms or Ranches, make sure to find a member of the Realtors Land Institute to help you in this process. Specifically look for an Accredited Land Consultant, their Designation for those experts in Land who have worked hard to achieve it. See: http://www.rliland.com for the nearest RLI agent and the RLI programs and educational opportunities. Consult with a Land attorney if you plan to create your own “Land Disclosure” form. If you are a real estate agent, please check with your Broker-in Charge before creating or using even if your state has a standard required “Land Disclosure” form already approved. The potential risks and liabilities created because of non-disclosures can be very costly. Lou Jewell ALC Accredited Land Consultant “A Voice for Land” 7/2009

Prospects Flourish for Land Brokers

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:13:19 -0700

Prospects Flourish for Land Brokers

Chicago, IL, April 26, 2009:

The motto of the National Association of REALTORS is "Under all is the Land." It's a simple sentence that expresses just how central land brokerage is to the entire real estate industry.
Real estate has had it rough lately. Record foreclosures, falling home prices, stalling commercial sales, and financial gridlock seem to the perennial front page headline. But amid all of the bad real estate news, most types of land have held their value and continued to produce income for their owners.
"Land-especially income-producing farmland-is a more conservative investment than most other types of commercial/investment real estate, which means it's also less volatile," says Randy Hertz, ALC, owner of Hertz Real Estate Services in Nevada, Iowa.

Higher levels of equity in most land deals, combined with the growing demand for food and recreational space as the U.S. population grows, help ensure long-term stability and a strong future demand for land.

Land's low volatility is good news for owners, but it also helps insulate land brokers from the more dramatic market fluctuations common in the commercial and housing sectors. That's why selling land in all its forms offers an attractive niche for real estate professionals.

"The demand for land brokers should grow steadily in the next five to seven years. More than half of all farmland owners are over 65 and will be considering sales," says Hertz. In addition, retiring Boomers will fuel demand for more recreational ranch and timberland. "If you enjoy land and helping people buy, sell, and manage their investments, land brokerage is a great career for you," he says.

"How the United States uses and preserves land is very important today and will be even more so in the future," agrees real estate consultant and Boston College MBA Professor Frank J. Parker, CRE. "Development pressures will rise in the future decades due to a strong increase in the nation's birth rate and in immigrants with permanent residency. Land usage demand will elevate accordingly."

Land brokerage offers a viable niche for those already in real estate because many of the same techniques used with other forms of investment real estate also apply to land investment. Market comparisons of value, analyses of appreciation potential, and calculations of cash flow projections are similar for all real estate investments. In addition, land, like any other investment requires professionals who can help match a property to an investor's risk tolerance, holding period, investment goals, and available capital, says Lou Jewell, ALC, of Dan River Real Estate Inc., Pilot Mountain, N.C.

"A land broker, like any real estate professional, needs to be strategic. Brokers need to understand value based on current and potential uses and to interpret market conditions, says Hertz. Farmland, since it is often rented to a farmer/tenant, also requires skills in tenant selection and lease negotiation, as well as ongoing property management, to ensure that the value of the land is not undermined by erosion or misuse.

But if some real estate skills are readily transferable to land sales, the wide spectrum of land uses also requires specialized knowledge of individual niche products. Selling agriculture land requires knowledge of soils, crops, and government regulations. Land intended for livestock production must be analyzed to ensure sufficient water and acreage for stock. Timberland sales call for an expert on the life cycle and market desirability of different hard and soft woods. Selling land for future housing or commercial development requires an expert in zoning and land use regulation.

"Land brokerage is not a field you can go into cold," says Parker. Land sales require experience, specialized education, and a professional network.

For brokers wishing to explore the opportunities in the land discipline, there's only one national source-the REALTORS Land Institute, says Keith Morris, ALC, 2009 RLI President and head of Four M Land Company, Somerville, Tenn.

As a professional membership organization, the REALTORS Land Institute (RLI) serves the unique constituency of real estate professionals who broker, lease, sell, develop, and manage land assets. RLI offers superior education through its RLI Land University and professional development programs. Members of RLI may earn the prestigious Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation, which is conferred to only those land specialists who complete a rigorous education program and who achieve a volume of successful land transactions.

RLI also provides a unique opportunity to meet and learn from the most experienced and qualified land brokers in the business, adds Morris.

"Even with our housing markets in turmoil and commercial real estate markets at a near standstill, land remains a great investment," says Jewell.

That means that there's no time like the present to be a part of this thriving real estate specialty.

"If you enjoy land and helping clients buy, sell, and manage their land investments, land brokerage is a great career," concludes Hertz.

For more information on membership and land education, contact RLI at 800.441.5263, or go to www.rliland.com.

Own a Piece of America

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:10:07 -0700

Own a Piece of America

Chicago, IL, February 29, 2009: Whether you're buying that perfect site for your future retirement home or investing in crop or timberland for a stable financial return, land offers a great place to keep your money safe and watch your investment grow.

And buying land is easier than you think-with the help of an Accredited Land Consultant of the REALTORS Land Institute.
The wide range of options under the "land" umbrella makes land an accessible purchase for almost every potential investor. Recreational timberland offers a good choice for long-hold investors since it combines periodic income from timber cutting with appreciation and the opportunity for personal enjoyment, says Benton Gibson, ALC, president of United Country Gibson Realty, McComb, Miss. Recent yearly returns on recreational timberland have averaged 8 percent in Gibson's market, which are in line with national returns calculated by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

If one of your land-buying goals is purchasing a site for your future retirement home, now is a perfect time to take advantage of the market pressures on home builders to find a well-located lot at a great price. Rural land prices are also likely to accelerate as Boomers retire, notes Gibson. He cites a 2006 study by the National Association of REALTORS that found half of Boomers who live in an urban area would like to retire to a small town or rural area. Buying the land separately and not building until you're ready to retire also helps keep costs down.

Developers' financial distress may also produce some significant price reductions on land near the edge of current urban development, says Ray L. Brownfield, AFM, ARA, ALC, an associate broker with John Greene Land Company in Oswego, Ill. But these investments-although they have strong upside potential-are only for those with deep pockets and patience, since "there is little viable income compared to the total cost of the land," he says.
Speculative development land also carries higher risk than many land investments since it's difficult to predict when and where new home construction will occur, he adds. But if you buy right and have patience, this type of land investment can have a tremendous amount of upside, he says.

For investors seeking low volatility and reliable cash flows, Brownfield and many other land experts suggest concentrating on farm land.

          "Good agricultural land in our market can yield a consistent 4 to 5 percent annual return. And since prices have stabilized this year after several years of appreciation, it's a good time to invest," he says.
          Despite the ongoing financial crisis, funds are available for qualified farm land buyers. Interest rates remain near historic lows, and lending sources such as local community banks in rural areas and the Farm Credit System (www.farmcredit.com), a federally chartered network of borrower-owed lending institutions, are still offering loans for as much as 85 percent of purchase price with a 20-year amortization in early 2009.
          If you already own other real estate investments, you can use a 1031 exchange to acquire land, says Brownfield. These exchanges permit real estate investors to trade one real estate holding for another but deter any capital gain taxes until the second asset is sold. (Note that 1031 exchanges have stringent rules, so consult an expert when considering an exchange.)
          Another ready source of funds for land purchases is a ROTH or SEP IRA. IRS regulations permit individuals to use retirement funds to purchase real estate, including land, through an IRA custodian that offers real estate investments along with stocks and bonds.
          "Several of my investors have contacted me recently to thank me for suggesting they diversify their retirement accounts into land holdings," says Lou Jewell, ALC of Dan River Real Estate Inc., in Pilot Mountain, N.C. "Others have told me that they wish they'd diversified before they lost their money in the stock market. I tell those people that it's not to late to invest in land. There are still great opportunities today."
          But while there is almost certainly a land investment to fit any investor, finding the property that fits each individual's goals requires expert knowledge and experience. That's why the smart first step in making any land purchase should be consulting with a professional land broker, preferably one that holds the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation from the REALTORS Land Institute (RLI).

            The ALC designation is conferred only on those land specialists who complete a rigorous education program and achieve a volume of successful land transactions, says Dan Hatfield, ALC, 2009 RLI president-elect and owner of Hatfield Realty in Medina, Texas.
          As a professional membership organization, the REALTORS Land Institute serves the unique constituency of real estate professionals who broker, lease, sell, develop, and manage land assets. RLI offers superior education through its RLI Land University and professional development programs, an array of services that encourage networking and referral opportunities, and legislative advocacy on land-related issues through the National Association of REALTORS?.
          "One of the real benefits of the REALTORS Land Institute is that whatever type of land you're seeking, there are RLI members who are expert in that area," says Gibson. "Whether your interest is shale oil leases, timber, or ranches, RLI members have the knowledge and resources to find the answers."
          For more information on locating an Accredited Land Consultant in your area, contact RLI at 800.441.5263 or go to www.rliland.com.

Land Offers Investment Stability - and Strong Returns

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:06:42 -0700

Land Offers Investment Stability - and Strong Returns

Chicago, IL, March 26, 2009: Do you want an investment that holds its value in these turbulent times?   Set your sights on land.
          During 2008, as the Dow fell by 31.4 percent and home prices dropped 12.4 percent, according to NAR research, the prices of farm and pasture land generally maintained its value. "Land prices usually stabilize during a down turn and hold their value during financial storms," says Lou Jewell, ALC, Dan River Real Estate Inc., Pilot Mountain, N.C.
          Combine that stability with the low management and maintenance requirements and rising scarcity, and you have an investment ideal for these challenging times.
          "Land is the ultimate source of wealth. As the population expands, there will be more demand for an increasingly scarce resource, so values will trend up. It's a basic economic principle," says Dr. John Baen of the University of North Texas at Denton. According to the most recent figures available from the U.S Department of Agriculture, farm real estate values rose 8.8 percent between 2007 and 2008 (the most recent figures available). Pasture land saw an increase of 6 percent during the same period.
          Although land values have risen recently, there's still plenty of investment potential in many rural markets.
          "Land remains an investment that offers a positive return on value with much less risk than many types of investment, says George Clift, ALC, president of the five-office Clift Land Brokers in Amarillo, Texas. "Land is great place for investors to put their money, and, unlike stocks, land is always there. You can feel it, touch it, and walk on it."
          Clift, a specialist in agricultural production land, also believes that land will benefit from the dollar devaluation and inflation that could result from a rising deficit. "Cash will be worth less if inflation comes, but land holds its value," says Clift.
          Smart investors agree. Clift says he's recently closed major agricultural land deals with a pension fund and a hedge fund, as well as with several private investors.
          "There's also a lot of ‘hidden' wealth in land that current market prices may not capture," says Baen, himself a land investor. Besides more common sources such as crops, pastureland, and timber, land can generate income from oil, mineral, and water rights; for licenses to hunt and fish; and from rentals wind and solar farms.
          But if experts agree that land ownership today offers a stable, long-term source of wealth, they also recognize that not just any land purchase will produce a profit. "Investors need to understand the primary profit sectors of the land they are purchasing, whether it's for timber, crops, or grazing. That's why obtaining advice from an experienced land professional, like the members of the REALTORS? Land Institute is critical," says Clift.
          "Land brokerage requires specialized knowledge, the kind of comprehensive education and professional synergies that the REALTORS Land Institute can provide," says Keith Morris, ALC, 2009 National President of RLI and owner of Four M Land Company in Somerville, Tenn. Members of RLI may further enhance their knowledge by earning the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation. This prestigious designation is conferred to only those land specialists who complete a rigorous education program and who achieve a volume of successful land transactions.
          As a professional membership organization, the REALTORS Land Institute (RLI) serves the unique constituency of real estate professionals who broker, lease, sell, develop, and manage land. RLI offers superior education through its RLI Land University and professional development programs, an array of services that encourage networking and referral opportunities, and legislative advocacy on land-related issues through the National Association of REALTORS.
          Contact RLI at 800.441.5263, or go to www.rliland.com for more information on membership and programs, as well as to search for an Accredited Land Consultant in your area.

###

It's Not to Late to Invest in Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:17:02 -0700

It's Not to Late to Invest in Land

Land seems to be the new buzz word floating around currently. I was emailing Gloria Bowen our Executive Director of the Realtors® Land Institute in Chicago. RLI was organization was established in1944 and is charged with educating Realtors® about Land and Land issues. For years, I have been collecting articles about Land and Land related issues. Unfortunately they are few and far in between. Just Google the words "Land Articles" and you will see what I mean.

Gloria had asked me to share my research with our RLI members and with great pleasure I will comply. Today when I was composing my response to her I realized how important this assignment was.

For fifteen years and I have been in the Land Brokerage business, and offend wondered why there has not been more attention paid to Land. I guess that because it is so common to us all that we just pass it by, not realizing that Land is what feeds us, cloths us, houses us and provides all the resources of life.

In my research, I ran across an anonymous statement years ago entitled "Who Am I?" that spoke to my heart and expanded my understanding and appreciation for Land.

Anonymous: Who Am I?

I am the basis of all wealth, the heritage of the wise, the thrifty and prudent.

I am the poor person's joy and comfort, the rich person's prize, the right hand of capital, the silent partner of thousands of successful people.

I am solace of the widow, the comfort of old age, the cornerstone of security against misfortune and want. I am handed down through generations, as a possession of great value.

I am the choicest fruit of labor, the safest collateral and yet I am humble. I stand before every person bidding them to know me for what I am and asking them to possess me.

I am quietly growing in value through countless days. Though I might seem dormant, my worth increases, never falling, never ceasing. Time is my aid and the ever increasing population adds to my gain. I defy fire and the elements, for they cannot destroy me.

My possessors learn to believe in me and invariable they become envied by those that have passed me by. While all other things wither and decay, I alone survive. The centuries find me younger, always increasing in strength. All oil and minerals come from me. I am the producer of food, building materials and the home to every living thing. I serve as the foundation for homes, factories, banks and stores.

I have not been produced for millions of years yet, I am so common that thousands, unthinking and unknowingly, pass be by.

Who Am I? "I Am Land
Anonymous

In this statement, the author mentions the values of Land several times. In the first paragraph it states "I am the basis of all wealth..." The second paragraph states "I am...the right hand of capital..." The third paragraph "I am...the cornerstone of security... handed down through generations, as a possession of great wealth." The forth paragraph states "I am quietly growing in value...my worth increases..."

Writing to Gloria, I commented to her about the current state of our economy pointing out that for years I have advocated diversifying investment portfolios to include Land holdings because of it historic
stability and ever increasing value. During our resent and current debacle in Wall Street, as everyone and I do mean everyone watches their investment portfolios diminish, those who are wisely holding Land investments have not lost a dime. Land prices during downturns usually stabilize and hold there value during the financial storm.

Several of my investors have contacted me in the past several months thanking me for advising them to diversify their 401K, Sep Plans and Trust Accounts into Land holdings. On the other side of the coin, I have had even more potential clients that would not commit to Land Investments contact me saying that they wished they had diversified their holdings into Land holding before they lost most of their investment money.

My current position on Land investments is IT IS NOT TO LATE!!! There are tremendous opportunities out there right now, today! Land is the safest investment and usually requires little or no maintenance.

What should you do? First, I strongly recommend that you source a member of the Realtors® Land Institute. See www.rliland.com on this site, one of the top three tabs will say "Find a Land Consultant". Look for a RLI member in your market area, preferably an Accredited Land Consultant. If you can not find one, contact me below and I will help you. Accredited Land Consultants have completed the rigorous class requirements and have preformed millions of dollars in Land sales.

It is true but unfortunate that when we go to real estate school to obtain our licenses for 160 plus hours of classroom instruction, that the real estate schools throughout the country do not teach anything of value about Land, commercial real estate, property management as so on. Just because a person has a real estate licenses, it does not assure you they have the experience or knowledge to provide the services that a Land Broker with experience can provide. Land investment is like any other investment, in that, you do not want to work with someone who has training wheels.

Lou Jewell ALC
RLI "Land 101" Course Instructor
Dan River Real Estate, Inc.
www.danriverrealestate.com
lou.danriverre@gmail.com

Now is the Time to get off the Fence and Buy Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:15:45 -0700

Now is the Time to get off the Fence and Buy Land

It appears that a lot of people are just setting on the fence, not knowing when and where to get off. Today with market uncertainties and changing laws in Washington has created a lot of anxiety. Real estate has always been one of the best investments and Land has the best stability record of all.

Land values historically tend to stabilize during downturns in the housing markets and commercial development. Land values are driven more by population growth and limiting Land resources where the housing and commercial markets are driven by interest rates and supply and demand.

Here are a few of my old friends that have given us some pretty good advice.

WILL ROGERS: "Find out where the people are going and buy the land before they get there."

TEDDY ROOSEVELT: "Every person who invests in well-selected real estate in a growing section of a prosperous community adopts the surest and safest method of becoming independent, for real estate is the basis of wealth."

ANDREW CARNEGIE: "Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate. More money has been made in real estate than in all industrial investments combined. The wise young man or wage earner of today invests his money in real estate."

ANONYMOUS: "The money you get from selling land, never buys the same land back."

MARSHALL FIELD: "Buying real estate is not only the best way, the quickest way, but the only way to become wealthy."

J. D. MORRISON: "The West is the best, get here and we'll do the rest."

HETTY GREEN: "I advise women to invest in real estate. It is the collateral to be preferred above all others, and the safest means of investing money."

GROVER CLEVELAND: "No investment on earth is so safe, so sure, so certain to enrich its owners as undeveloped realty. I always advise my friends to place their savings in realty near a growing city. There is no such savings bank anywhere."

F. D. ROOSEVELT: "Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world."

WILLIAM J. BRYAN: "Real estate is the best investment for small savings. More money is made from the rise in real estate values than from all other causes combined."

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1862: "A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people and its laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain durability. One generation passed away and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth forever."
GERALD O'HARA to KATIE SCARLETT "GONE WITH THE WIND": "Land is the only thing in the world that amounts to anything, for tis' the only thing that last, and don't you be forgetting it! ‘tis the only thing worth working for, worth fighting for - worth dying for"

THOMAS JEFFERSON to JAMES MADISON, 1785 ME 19:18, Papers: "The earth is given as a common stock for man to labor and live on. If for the encouragement of industry we allow it to be appropriated, we must take care that other employment be provided to those excluded from the appropriation. If we do not, the fundamental right to labor the earth returns to the unemployment...It is not too soon to provide by every possible means that as few as possible shall be without a little portion of land. The small landholders are the most precious part of a state."

The LandReport published an article 8/1/2007 "The Land Report 100" showing the top Land owners from Ted Turner with 2 million acres+/- to Roxanne Quimby: 75,000 acres+/-

http://www.landreport.com/free-digital-copy-of-the-land-report-100/

These are some of the smartest investors in the United States. Wealth has historically come for Land ownership. Wars have been fought over the control of territory and more importantly over its recourses.

Wikipedia analyzes wealth in it many forms and structures, including Land. Specifically stated:
"Wealth in the form of Land"
"Many indigenous cultures, being either nomadic or communitarian in nature, rejected the notion of the private ownership of land wealth. In the western tradition, the concepts of owning land and accumulating wealth in the form of land were engendered in the rise of the first states, for a primary service and power of government was, and is to this day, the awarding and adjudication of land use rights."
"Land ownership was also justified according to John Locke. He claimed that because we admix our labour with the land, we thereby deserve the right to control the use of the land and benefit from the product of that land (but subject to his Lockean proviso of "at least where there is enough, and as good left in common for others.")."
"Additionally, in our post-agricultural society this argument has many critics (including those influenced by Georgist and geolibertarian ideas) who argue that since land, by definition, is not a product of human labor, any claim of private property in it is a form of theft; as David Lloyd George observed, "to prove a legal title to land one must trace it back to the man who stole it."
"Many older ideas have resurfaced in the modern notions of ecological stewardship, bioregionalism, natural capital, and ecological economics."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth

If have not invested in Land, just be happy with what you have. If you spend your life looking for greener pastures, you might find that you're too old to climb the fence.

Will Rogers: "Buy land. They ain't makin' any more of the stuff."

Lou Jewell ALC

Accredited Land Consultant

lou.danriverre@gmail.com

You Can Invest in Land with a Self Directed Retirement Account

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:14:13 -0700

You Can Invest in Land with a Self Directed Retirement Account

No one wants to talk about it.
But did you know that you can invest in Land, improved and unimproved with a "Self Directed Retirement Plan"?
Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, Coverdell Education Savings (ESA) a.k.a. Educational IRAs, Qualified Annuities, Profit Sharing Plans, Money Purchase Plans, Government Eligible Deferred Compensation Plans, and Keoghs are ALL qualified plans that can be converted into "Self-Directed Retirement Plans". See the Internal Revenue Service's website (www.IRS.gov), Publication 590. On pages 40-41 you will see what investments are not allowed through these plans. Land is not included and therefore qualifies, as do other types of real estate investments.
The traditional investment community has control of more than 97 percent of all retirement accounts, and they have been making a great living off of your hard earned money by recommending investments in stocks and mutual funds. Most investment and financial magazines and TV and radio investment shows are filled with advertisements for brokerage firms and mutual funds. I would bet that your stock broker or financial advisor has not advised you on how to invest in real estate through your IRA or 401K plan, or other qualified plan.
It is my opinion that this option is "under the radar" because investment firms do not make money on Land transactions. Why? They are not licensed real estate agents.
As stated on the IRS website ".....because of "administrative burdens," many IRA trustees do not allow IRA owners to invest IRA funds in Real Estate. IRA law does not prohibit investing in Real Estate but trustees are not required to offer Real Estate as an option." No commissions for real estate sales may have a say here described as "administrative burdens".

An Individual Retirement Account is a personal savings plan that allows you to set aside funds for your retirement. Investments made within these plans grow in either a tax-deferred or tax-free environment.
The IRS allows your IRA to earn tax-free or tax-deferred income with NO limitations on how much you receive---you can earn thousands of dollars with no tax consequences. A "Self-Directed IRA" will allow you to choose your own investment strategies to earn significantly more for your retirement.
The term ‘self-directed' does not actually have any legal connotation. It does not imply a different type of IRA, or a separate set of IRS rules. ‘Self-directed' is simply an accepted industry term indicating that the IRA custodian is allowing the IRA owner greater control over his or her investment decisions. When an IRA account is self-directed, the IRA owner makes all investment decisions and instructs the custodian to act. You must have a custodian as a third-party administrator.
Be careful who you choose as your custodian. Most of these "professionals" are part of the same old 97 percent controlling crowd previously mentioned. Our recommendation is that you find one that charges an administration fee and believes in Land Investments.
Our recommendation is to stay away from investing your IRA money into an S corporation. S corporations only allow individuals (not entities) and certain permitted trusts to be investors. So if your IRA (an entity) is the investor, the S Corp would lose its status and its tax rate would change to a potentially less favorable one. Roth accounts can be used but take time to accumulate larger funds portfolios.
When purchasing Land with funds coming from an IRA, remember that the IRA itself must purchase the Land and hold the grant deed. All property taxes for that Land must also be paid from the IRA. The self-directed IRA should be opened first with cash or funds rolled over from other IRAs, 401ks, retirement plans, and then the Land should be purchased. Large tax penalties can occur if these transactions are not done properly. Proper care in deciding when to sell or lease the Land is also important. Land, especially pre-developed Land, is a long-term investment and often needs to be held for a minimum of five to seven years to produce the highest returns.
You can leverage a Land purchase with as little at 15 percent down and amortize 20 years with the Farm Credit. We in the industry refer to Farm Credit as "The Land Bank". Farm Credit offices are located throughout the United Sates with different names (www.farmcredit.com/index.html). Farm Credit has the most consistent programs for Land Investors. Because of your increased buying power when you use leverage, the profits you make from the ability to use leverage can greatly outweigh the tax associated.
In addition to IRS Publication 590, I would also recommend that you check out (www.iraaa.org/index.aspx). The IRAAA^TM is a nonprofit, education-oriented alliance of financial planning, real estate, legal, banking, investment, and accounting professionals interested in further developing the niche industry of Self-Directed IRA & 401(k) investing. The organization's promise is "to provide affordable, unbiased and comprehensive education on the topic of investing with a Self-Directed IRA or Solo 401(k)".
Also, make sure that you Google "Self-Directed Retirement Accounts" and other associated words. And do your homework. This article's mission is to stimulate your creative juices and is only part of this untold story. After all you be in control of your own destiny and have the benefits of being a Land Owner...and that offers you the greatest freedom that there is.
In closing I invite you to review the results that the traditional investment community has had control of over 97% percent of retirement accounts, and "they" have been making a great living off your money. Look at the mess we are in. Ask yourself why would "they" want to let you know about alternatives that "they" would not be able to charge for?

As a result of my counsel, my Land Investors have not lost a single dime and will not in the future. Land is the oldest and most stable investment there is.
I am an Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) of the Realtors® Land Institute, and you can search for an "Accredited Land Consultant" in your region at (www.rliland.com). ALCs are the professionals you can trust to help you evaluate the investment potential and the "Highest and Best Use" for future development and utilization. They are ready to help you find that piece of dirt that will provide for you and your family for years to come. Land has always provided, and it always will.

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
lou.danriverre@gmail.com

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:12:41 -0700

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

One off the greatest experience of my professional lifetime has been to teach the Realtors Land Institute's "Land 101" class. For the last sixteen years, I have specialized in Land and Farms sales in the beautiful Piedmont Foothills of the North Carolina and the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. Throughout this time I had the opportunity to also develop thirty-four rural subdivisions ranging from four lots to thirty-eight tracts.

Working with Realtors® from all over our region, I have found that rural markets much different than urban markets. Imagine the experience of previewing with clients 100 acre tract of Land with the vast vista mountain views, bold babbling streams, clean crisp air stirring and all of nature's beauty and sounds surrounding you. What better way to make a living?

Land brokerage is unique profession which requires the knowledge of many different fields. Unfortunately, our real estate industry has not included Land, commercial brokerage or property management among other specialties in its basic real estate education curriculum. It is also unfortunate that real estate buyers have to assume that because someone has a real estate license they also have the capabilty to sell and markethat you have the experience brokering Land.

Currently, all Realtors® are required to take the mandatory "Realtor® Code of Ethics" update course. If you have completed the course, please refer to "Article 11". If you have not taken the course then pay special attention to Article 11 when you take the update. I have extracted it for you below.

The Article states that:

Article 11

The services which REALTORS® provide to their clients and customers
Shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which are
reasonably expected in the specific real estate disciplines in which they
engage; specifically, residential real estate brokerage, real property
management, commercial and industrial real estate brokerage, real
estate appraisal, real estate counseling, real estate syndication, real
estate auction and international real estate. (NAR is currently working on having the word "Land" inserted).

REALTORS® shall not undertake to provide specialized professional
services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their
field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is
competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are
fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such
assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to
the assignment should be set forth. (Amended 1/95)

In order to build the skills and knowledge to become a confident Land Broker, you may want check out RLI. The Realtors Land Institute (RLI) is a commercial affiliate of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). It is the only affiliate of NAR focused solely on Land brokerage transactions. Organized in 1944, RLI provides unmatched, specialized Land education and awards the prestigious Accredited Land Consultant designation. Currently we have ten two day certified Land courses. I teach the "Land 101" course.
See www.rliland.com

I joined RLI in 1999 and took my first two day course "Subdivision Development" now called "Land Development". Over the next few years, my goal was to take more RLI classes and by 2003 I had completed three of the six required for the coveted ALC Designation. I never dreamed that I would be in front of my pears talking about my favorite subject Land.

In May 2003, RLI launched a new course entitled "Land 101". That same year, our North Carolina State RLI Chapter voted me NC State RLI Chapter President. Our Chapter encouraged me to attend the Mid-Year NAR Convention in Washington that May. When I called to register, our RLI administer stated that if I would come a day early and sit through the all day new "Land 101" presentation that if I wanted to instruct that course, I would be certified to teach it. Well I did and since then I have instruct nineteen classes in four states.

The next class I will teach is at our North Carolina Realtors® Association Office in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is sponsored by NCREFF on May 7th and 8th. This will be the twentieth class having taught in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and last fall Nebraska. The greatest experience in my professional life has been to teach about Land.

First of all, you will probably never meet a person who has the love and passion for Land more than I do. Second, if you have never been involved in a Land transaction, you will not believe what you are missing. And third, before you get involved in a Land transaction, please gain the knowledge to be able to appreciate what you are involved in.

Agents who have taken our "Land 101" class, most of them become life long friends and colleagues after they complete the course. I make every effort to communicate with all of them that have valid emails and contact information. It is so gratifying when one of my student contacts me about Land and related questions or issues. Sometimes I have several contact me during the course of the week and I always have made a special effort to respond in a timely manner.

Networking is also a wonderful benefit. We strongly encourage everyone to network not only clients but any information or knowledge about Land and Land related issues. RLI promotes "Marketing Sessions" where our members share "Haves" and "Wants" and real business is exchanged. With this program and our classes, my referrals increase every year and so does my bottom line.

Unfortunately there is very little written about or talked about Land. My goal for 2009 is to use that four letter word "Land" until everyone is tired of hearing it. During the current economic market, Land is about the only investment that is not loosing money. I ask every "Land 101" class if they know anyone who has lost money in the equities markets. They all raise their hands. Then I ask them if they know anyone how ha lost money in Land. No one raises their hands. Then I ask when was the last time you heard or saw a "Land Foreclosure" advertised? No one can think of one.

For you urban Realtors® there are tremendous opportunities to get involved in Land Brokerage. When is the last time you went to the country and played? For you semi-rural Realtors® you may not have as far to travel but always enjoyable. And for you rural Realtors® I am sure you already practice Land Brokerage. You are the lucky ones and are truly in the "cat-bird seat".

How can you not like talking about Land, practicing Land Brokerage and teaching others what you know and love, Land?

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime…Teaching about Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:38:51 -0800

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

The Article states that:

Article 11

(NAR is currently working on having the word "Land" inserted).

How can you not like talking about Land, practicing Land Brokerage and teaching others what you know and love, Land?

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime…Teaching about Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:37:26 -0800

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

The Article states that:

Article 11

(NAR is currently working on having the word "Land" inserted).

How can you not like talking about Land, practicing Land Brokerage and teaching others what you know and love, Land?

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime…Teaching about Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:35:41 -0800

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

The Article states that:

Article 11

(NAR is currently working on having the word "Land" inserted).

How can you not like talking about Land, practicing Land Brokerage and teaching others what you know and love, Land?

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime…Teaching about Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:34:12 -0800

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

The Article states that:

Article 11

(NAR is currently working on having the word "Land" inserted).

How can you not like talking about Land, practicing Land Brokerage and teaching others what you know and love, Land?

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

One off the greatest experience of my professional lifetime has been to teach the Realtors Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:32:16 -0800

One off the greatest experience of my professional lifetime has been to teach the Realtors Land

The Article states that:

Article 11

(NAR is currently working on having the word "Land" inserted).

How can you not like talking about Land, practicing Land Brokerage and teaching others what you know and love, Land?

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:28:56 -0800

The Article states that:

Article 11

(NAR is currently working on having the word "Land" inserted).

How can you not like talking about Land, practicing Land Brokerage and teaching others what you know and love, Land?

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:26:10 -0800

The Greatest Experience Of My Professional Lifetime...Teaching about Land

The Article states that:

Article 11

(NAR is currently working on having the word "Land" inserted).

How can you not like talking about Land, practicing Land Brokerage and teaching others what you know and love, Land?

Lou Jewell ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

You Can Invest in Land with a Self Directed Retirement Account.

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:18:10 -0800

You Can Invest in Land with a Self Directed Retirement Account.

You can invest in Land, improved or unimproved with a "Self Directed Retirement Plans" since the IRS has allowed them. No one wants to talk about it. "They", the investment firms do not make money on a Land transaction because "they" are not licensed real estate agents. Only licensed real estate companies can take commissions and are not allowed to pay referrals except to other active real estate firms. The traditional investment community has had control of over 97% percent of the retirement accounts and they have been making a great living off your hard earned money.

Your stock broker or financial advisor will not advise you how to take money away from their pockets and invest in real estate through your IRA, or 401K plan either. The financial magazines run large ads for brokerage firms and mutual funds T.V. and radio investment shows are supported by the same Wall Street advertising dollars...your money. I would be curious to see how many investment magazines will publish this article or if any investment shows will address this topic.

Stated on the IRS website ".....because of "administrative burdens", many IRA trustees do not allow IRA owners to invest IRA funds in Real Estate. IRA law does not prohibit investing in Real Estate but trustees are not required to offer Real Estate as an option." No commission for real estate sales may have a say here described as "administrative burdens".

An Individual Retirement Account is a personal savings plan that allows you to set aside funds for your retirement. Investments made within these plans grow in either a tax-deferred or tax-free environment.

The IRS allows your IRA to earn tax free or tax deferred income with NO limitations on how much you receive---you can earn thousands of dollars with no tax consequences. A "Self-directed IRA" will allow you to choose your own investment strategies to earn significantly more for your retirement.

The term ‘self-directed' does not actually have any legal connotation. It does not imply a different type of IRA, or a separate set of IRS rules. ‘Self-directed' is simply an accepted industry term indicating that the IRA custodian is allowing the IRA owner greater control over their investment decisions. When an IRA account is self-directed, the IRA owner makes all of their investment decisions and instructs the custodian to act. You must have a custodian as a third party administrator.

Be careful who you choose as your custodian. Most of these "professionals" are part of the same old 97% controlling crowd previously mentioned. Our recommendation is that you find one that charges an administration fee and believes in Land Investments.

Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, Coverdell Education Savings (ESA) a.k.a. Educational IRAs, Qualified Annuities, Profit Sharing Plans, Money Purchase Plans, Government Eligible Deferred Compensation Plans, Keoghs are qualified plans that can be converted into "Self-directed Retirement Plans". For more detailed information visit the Internal Revenue Service's website (www.IRS.gov). Also see Publication 590. On pages 40-41 you will see what investments are not allowed. Land is not included and therefore qualifies as does other types of real estate investments.

Our recommendation is to Stay away from investing your IRA money into an S corporation. S corporations only allow individuals (not entities) and certain permitted trusts to be investors. So if your IRA (an entity) is the investor, the S Corp would lose its status and its tax rate would change to a potentially less favorable one. Roth accounts can be used but take time to accumulate larger funds portfolios.

When purchasing Land with funds coming from an IRA, remember that the IRA itself must purchase the Land and hold the grant deed. All property taxes for that Land must also be paid from the IRA. The self-directed IRA should be opened first with cash or funds rolled over from other IRAs, 401ks, retirement plans, and then the Land should be purchased. Large tax penalties can occur if these transactions are not done properly. Proper care in deciding when to sell or lease the Land is also important. Land, especially pre-developed Land, is a long-term investment and often needs to be held for a minimum of five to seven years to produce the highest returns.

You can leverage a Land purchase with as little at 15% down and amortize 20 years with Farm Credit. They are located throughout the United Sates with different names (www.farmcredit.com/index.html). In the Land Brokerage business they are called "The Land Bank". Farm Credit has had the most consistent programs for Land investors. Because of your increased buying power when you use leverage, the profits you make from the ability to use leverage can greatly outweigh the tax associated.

For more information we also recommend you visit, (www.iraaa.org/index.aspx) IRAAA^TM is a nonprofit education-oriented alliance of financial planning, real estate, legal, banking, investment, and accounting professionals interested in further developing the niche industry of Self-Directed IRA & 401(k) investing. Their Promise is "IRA Association of America aims to provide affordable, unbiased and comprehensive education on the topic of investing with a Self-Directed IRA or Solo 401(k)".

Make sure that you Google "Self Directed Retirement Accounts" and other associated words. Do your homework. This article's sole mission is to stimulate your creative juices and reveal part of this untold story. After all you be in control of your own destiny and have the benefits of being a Land Owner. The greatest freedom there is.

In closing I invite you to review the results that the traditional investment community has had control of over 97% percent of this county's retirement accounts, and "they" have been making a great living off your money. Look at the mess we are in. Ask yourself why would "they" want to let you know about alternatives that "they" would not be able to charge for?

My Land Investors have not lost a single dime and will not in the future. Land is the oldest and most stable investment there is. Contact a Realtors® Land Institute "Accredited Land Consultant" in your market area at (www.rliland.com). They will help you evaluate the investment potential and the "Highest and Best Use" for future development and utilization. They are ready to help you find that piece of dirt that will provide for you and your family for years to come as it always has and always will.

Lou Jewell ALC

Lou.danriverre@gmail.com

2/14/2009

You Can Invest in Land with a Self Directed Retirement Account.

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:16:50 -0800

You Can Invest in Land with a Self Directed Retirement Account.

Lou Jewell ALC

lou.danriverre@gmail.com

2/14/2009

Now is the Time to get off the Fence and Buy Land

Lou Jewell ALC (Dan River Real Estate, Inc.) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:08:51 -0800

Now is Time to get off the Fence and Buy Land

Here are a few of my old friends that have given us some pretty good advice.

WILL ROGERS: "Find out where the people are going and buy the land before they get there."

TEDDY ROOSEVELT: "Every person who invests in well-selected real estate in a growing section of a prosperous community adopts the surest and safest method of becoming independent, for real estate is the basis of wealth."

ANDREW CARNEGIE: "Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate. More money has been made in real estate than in all industrial investments combined. The wise young man or wage earner of today invests his money in real estate."

ANONYMOUS: "The money you get from selling land, never buys the same land back."

MARSHALL FIELD: "Buying real estate is not only the best way, the quickest way, but the only way to become wealthy."

J. D. MORRISON: "The West is the best, get here and we'll do the rest."

HETTY GREEN: "I advise women to invest in real estate. It is the collateral to be preferred above all others, and the safest means of investing money."

GROVER CLEVELAND: "No investment on earth is so safe, so sure, so certain to enrich its owners as undeveloped realty. I always advise my friends to place their savings in realty near a growing city. There is no such savings bank anywhere."

F. D. ROOSEVELT: "Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world."

WILLIAM J. BRYAN: "Real estate is the best investment for small savings. More money is made from the rise in real estate values than from all other causes combined."

ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1862: "A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people and its laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain durability. One generation passed away and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth forever."

GERALD O'HARA to KATIE SCARLETT "GONE WITH THE WIND": "Land is the only thing in the world that amounts to anything, for tis' the only thing that last, and don't you be forgetting it! ‘tis the only thing worth working for, worth fighting for - worth dying for"

THOMAS JEFFERSON to JAMES MADISON, 1785 ME 19:18, Papers: "The earth is given as a common stock for man to labor and live on. If for the encouragement of industry we allow it to be appropriated, we must take care that other employment be provided to those excluded from the appropriation. If we do not, the fundamental right to labor the earth returns to the unemployment...It is not too soon to provide by every possible means that as few as possible shall be without a little portion of land. The small landholders are the most precious part of a state."

The LandReport published an article 8/1/2007 "The Land Report 100" showing the top Land owners from Ted Turner with 2 million acres+/- to Roxanne Quimby: 75,000 acres+/-

http://www.landreport.com/free-digital-copy-of-the-land-report-100/

Wikipedia analyzes wealth in it many forms and structures, including Land. Specifically stated:

"Wealth in the form of Land"

"Many indigenous cultures, being either nomadic or communitarian in nature, rejected the notion of the private ownership of land wealth. In the western tradition, the concepts of owning land and accumulating wealth in the form of land were engendered in the rise of the first states, for a primary service and power of government was, and is to this day, the awarding and adjudication of land use rights."

"Land ownership was also justified according to John Locke. He claimed that because we admix our labour with the land, we thereby deserve the right to control the use of the land and benefit from the product of that land (but subject to his Lockean proviso of "at least where there is enough, and as good left in common for others.")."

"Additionally, in our post-agricultural society this argument has many critics (including those influenced by Georgist and geolibertarian ideas) who argue that since land, by definition, is not a product of human labor, any claim of private property in it is a form of theft; as David Lloyd George observed, "to prove a legal title to land one must trace it back to the man who stole it."

"Many older ideas have resurfaced in the modern notions of ecological stewardship, bioregionalism, natural capital, and ecological economics."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth

If have not invested in Land, just be happy with what you have. If you spend your life looking for greener pastures, you might find that you're too old to climb the fence.

Will Rogers: "Buy land. They ain't makin' any more of the stuff."

Lou Jewell ALC

2/2/2009