By Charlie Jones

"Free time." In our fast-paced world many of us have come to feel that there is no such thing as "free time." But, when the rare opportunity arises and you can do just exactly what you want to do, what do you do? Do you rise with sun and steal away to your favorite hunting spot to lie in wait for an unbelievably big buck or gobbler to meander into your sights.

Do you curl up in your favorite chair and spend the afternoon staring at the ticker tape as it scrolls along the bottom of the screen during the hourly stock report? Do you venture into woods and along country roads seeking solitude among the singing birds and soaring trees? Or, are you one of those people who casts away stress, tension and worry as you cast your reel into a bass-filled pond? If you enjoy any of the above mentioned activities, you should seriously consider land ownership. Perhaps you think you can't afford to own land. Well, think again. If you are currently paying dues to hunt someone else's property, with the right financial planning, you might very well be able to pay the same monthly amount, or in some cases even less, towards ownership of your own property.

For many who once thought it impossible to own land, proper management and harvesting of timber often generates enough money to make land ownership a reality. You owe it to yourself to investigate the facts before denying yourself one of life's greatest pleasures. Anyone who owns land will tell you that its ownership creates countless recreational and economic opportunities. Recreationally speaking, land ownership is tops. Whether you prefer to go hunting or fishing with friends or decide to stroll through your woods to pick a bouquet of wild flowers or cart children on a hayride through the haunted forest on Halloween night, all of these are made possible through land ownership.

Economically speaking, land ownership is tops too. If you are looking for a solid, low-risk investment timberland continues to be a standout choice. In its December 22, 2003, issue, Fortune magazine asked 50 of "the world's most keen-eyed investors" to name their top investment picks for 2004. According to the article, Jeremy Grantham, "whose GMO Global Balanced Asset Allocation fund has gained 9.7% a year in the past five years, is talking up his favorite asset class, timber. Yes, timber. As in wood." Graham notes that while stocks fell more than 50% during each bear markets of the 20th century, the price of timber rose. History shows that stocks may rise and fall, but even in the most uncertain times, the value of a strong, solid tree remains. One of the most attractive qualities of land is that it does not have to be designated as either "recreational" or "investment" property.

Many tracts function equally well as both. However, before buying, determining the intended use is key to long-term happiness. Dr. Harry Haney, Jr., 2004's President of the Forest Landowners Association, and a favorite cousin of mine, often tells a story about his grandfather, Robert Land, who would often jokingly say, "I don't want all the land in the world, just that which joins mine." While I am sure we can all identify with and appreciate that statement, the reality is that most of us must be a little more discriminating about the land we choose to own and why we own it. When looking to invest in property, key points to ponder are that there are three undisputed physical characteristics of all land: immobility, indestructibility and uniqueness. The geographic location of a particular piece of land can never be changed. Secondly, land is indestructible.

According to the 16th edition of Modern Real Estate Practices, "This permanence of land, coupled with the long-term nature of improvements, tends to stabilize investments in real property." Finally, each parcel of land is unlike any other the whole world over. Aside from the physical characteristics of any given piece of land, one should strongly consider a property's intended use before buying. To build a pond, the soil must be clay bearing. Certain wildlife thrives only in certain areas. According to Turkey Call magazine, "Turkeys do best in areas of diverse habitat such as open, mature timber, young, thick new growth areas, and scattered openings." If you want to grow pine plantations, researching the area's site quality, which refers to the productivity of a particular area for a particular species, is a must.

Would you like to have a camp house on your property? Easy access to water and power are necessary for the building process to go smoothly. Selecting the right piece of property for your individual purpose is where a good real estate agent comes into play. Whether you are investing in your first piece of timberland or seeking an ideal hunting tract to add to your existing land holdings, today's competitive market demands the skills of a licensed real estate professional. At Black Belt Land and Realty, Inc., our knowledgeable, professional staff of licensed real estate agents and registered foresters is ready, willing and able to assist you with all of your real estate needs. With over seventy-five years of experience in marketing timber, timberland, farmland, and recreational properties, we can help you make your dreams of land ownership a reality. It's never too late to enjoy the privileges of land ownership.
Buyer's Checklist
1. location
2. acreage, size
3. investment amount
4. intended use
5. water
6. access
7. utilities
8. camp house
9. Timbered
Call Black Belt Land and Realty, Inc. 205-652-2010 www.blackbeltrealty.com