It has been almost a year now since I began my career as a licensed real estate agent. My parents have been in the business for over 17 years now, but I had to do a few things before getting into it (military, college). Anyway, I remember learning in my real estate classes that the true investment power in real estate comes from the ability to add value to that property in one way or another. What they were basically saying in my textbook was that investing in vacant land isn’t the best idea.

That may be the case in most parts of the country but certainly not in Central Florida. I am seeing, firsthand, people buying plots of vacant land and flipping them for a decent profit. I’m not just talking about the large parcels either. I’ve even seen individuals with just a few scattered lots making a decent turn on their money. How does this happen?

Well, it’s supply and demand. Central Florida is currently a high growth area. Developers want to get in and develop, builders want to get in and build, and people want to get in and live! Who would have ever thought that you could go somewhere, pick up 10 acres of undeveloped land, sit on it for a year, sell it, and make 30% or more on your money? Well, that’s the situation right now in Central Florida. Believe it or not! All one has to do is cruise through the MLS system and check out all vacant land deals that have closed over the last year or so.

Now, I’m not saying that you can go ANYWHERE and buy ANY piece of vacant land. As with any investment there are a lot of different factors to consider, but vacant land in Central Florida should be considered in your next real estate investment decision.

In reference to this article from USA Today.

Okay,

I just now realized how busy I am! It’s already March and I’m just now getting around to posting to the blog! Things have been crazy and I’ve decided that the only way for me to legitimately have a blog is if I start posting to it. So, as of today, I’m putting time aside in my schedule to post information at least 3 times a week. I’m going to shoot for every day, but we’ll have to see how that goes.

I was a little worried coming out of December last year. Business was starting to slow down a little bit and as always, I get anxious when that happens. Sure enough, however, on January 1st (my birthday!) I got a call from a couple who wanted to look at some condos in Ocala. They were a nice couple who, as many of my clients are, were snowbirds from Pennsylvania. That was just the beginning of my year and now I’ve found myself on the verge of hiring an assistant. We’ll see if that ever pans out.

Anyway, so what has the market been doing over the last couple of months? Well, I’ve noticed that prices are leveling off. We’re still going see some strong increases for sellers but not at the 30-35% rate that has been carried over the last 2 years. Buyers are finding more room to negotiate. We’re still only in the 1st quarter of this year though so who knows what the future may bring.

I’ll refrain from trying to catch you up with what’s been happening in one post. It would just take too long. I have to put together a CMA for a client in Deland and pull some properties for a couple clients that I’ll be meeting with on Monday. I swear, sometimes it seems like I’m never off the clock! That’s okay though. I love my job and that makes it all worthwhile!

- Justin