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Part of the land value is underground

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams

I know that everyone is used to valuing a real estate deal by what they see

  1. Location, Location, Location
  2. The Surface
  3. The structures
  4. Waterfront, etc.

However, the people I am trying to deal with in North Central Texas have another item to consider when they are looking to buy land,  THE MINERAL RIGHTS.

Right now one of the major drilling booms in the country is happening right in the back yard (and front yard as well) of the people in Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas.  Many know about it but many more do not.  That boom is the Barnett Shale, a very tight shale, that contains vast quantities of gas.

You see, before I went an got a real estate license, I spent 35 years in the oil and gas industry primarily working on what they refer to as "unconventional reservoirs".  And believe me, the Barnett Shale is about as unconventional as they come.  Imagine a continuous piece of black, hard rock that can be over 300 feet thick and covers an area that is bigger than a lot of the smaller states.  That's the Barnett.

Wells drilled can be tremendous or pitiful.  Ah, the curse of the oil and gas industry.  You can have a gusher and go broke the next day.

But for the landowners who have the mineral rights the windfall can be tremendous.  One GOOD well can make someone who owned the right 80 acres MILLIONS of dollars.  And HE STILL OWNS THE THINGS WE ALL NORMALLY VALUE THAT I MENTIONED ABOVE.  Imagine, making millions of dollars and still have your waterfront hideaway.  What a deal. 

I believe that this type of windfall can occur other places also, but most people don't know it is there and what to do if it is.  I will be glad to see if this blog spurs any interest.  This is my first shot at blogging as well as my first shot as a realtor.  I would appreciate any input into anything.  My blogging style, my content or even my picture.  Don't say anything about getting hair, There isn't anything I can do about that.  I was obviously destined to be one of the blessed people with terrific scalps that we meant to be shown.

Blue Ridge Ga Real Estate >> Real Property in Blue Ridge Georgia
United Country Landmasters - Ellijay, GA
very interesting read I wasn't really up on the whole mineral rights ...  
Jun 19, 2007 04:09 PM
Ron Wilson
Keller Williams - Southlake, TX

Doug:

Thanks for the comment.  I understand that even Georgia may becoming a gas producer.  There is some shale that may be very similar to the Barnett that may soon be developed there.

If I can ever do anything to help you in some way let me know.  My wife and I love your area.  We spent a summer trip in Delonagah (spelling).  It was really beautiful.  Hope to come back soon

Jun 20, 2007 02:51 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Your'e blog caught my interest, because my husband and I are looking for a home in Ft. Worth.  My husband was almost convinced on one until we found out it didn't come w/ the mineral rights.  N-e ways, I just wanted to let u know that's why ur blog interested me.

Feb 13, 2008 03:16 AM
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