By Terry Carlisle
Mossy Oak Properties Of Birmingham
1960 Stonegate Drive
Birmingham, Al 35124
205-972-0233

After writing an article for WILDLIFE TRENDS, I received a considerable number of calls from current and prospective landowners. First of all I want to thank those who took the time to share their ideas regarding the first article on “Buying Motives.” Several of the respondents wanted to know how we go about finding that perfect piece of property for our clients. The bottom line is we consider finding a special property the “ULTIMATE TROPHY HUNT.” At Mossy Oak Properties of Birmingham, we approach a property search just like it was the trophy hunt of a lifetime.

Due to the location of our office we have the opportunity to serve as buyers agents for clients who are seriously time constrained. We are commissioned to find properties that meet our clients search criteria, verify the key elements during on site visits and present only these properties for the client to review. If the client is interested then the hunt is on, if not we continue to scout until we are on the trail of a property that meets the clients’ standards. we scour relentlessly for properties that we feel our potential clients will appreciate. as you can see this is about the same as hiring a trophy guide. scouting in advance of the hunt is mandatory before the hunt begins.

For Me and my partner the scouting process is an awesome experience, we get to see the most beautiful properties in the Southeast. we witness property in virtually every stage of development from Gods own handy work to properties manipulated by their owners to afford a vast array of recreational utilities. If I have learned anything since I got into this business, It is the land is always secondary to people who develop it. We meet some of the most colorful and fun loving individuals on earth. The stories, the experiences, the history, associated with a piece of property are dramatically amplified by the countless owners who have shaped these properties with such vision and imagination.

Any guide worth their salt will work with their client beforehand to determine exactly what they are looking for. As much as we love to scout for our clients, we can’t just ride around aimlessly looking at land without direction. we spend a considerable amount of time without clients in an attempt to qualify all of the elements necessary for a deliberate search. Whether we are looking for you or you are looking on your own the first thing you should consider is LOCATION. The first component of the location definition is distance. The time or mileage criterion from your home or business is critical to your enjoyment. I have seen a lot of people successfully compromise enumerable issues but not this one. One of our clients currently has one of the finest deer camps that I have ever witnessed: to say it is awesome would be a serious understatement! He recently asked us to locate a rather expansive piece of property no more than an hour and fifteen minute from his home. His son is coming of age and dad is dedicated to sharing his outdoor passions with the next generation, although he loves his other camp, it is simply too far away. we scouted the area and the hunt is on!!

Location is not limited to distance. “you can’t hunt turkey where their ain’t none.” within the distance parameters that you set you need to determine the key recreational components and make sure that the land lends itself to it. For instance if you are going to shoot sporting clays on the weekend you need to be sensitive to the neighborhood. Popping off hundreds of rounds next to th e local church can be a disaster. From a wildlife standpoint, the state can provide you with all sorts of data regarding game in any area. If you want deer that’s one thing but if you want Boone and Crockett deer that’s a different issue altogether.

Once you have satisfied the Location, “CHECK THE WIND”. I would not go so far that people intentionally misrepresent a property or its capabilities. We do recommend that you utilize “fact” based information to make such a critical decision. Obviously the purchase of a sizable property represents a considerable investment. Do your best to know exactly what you are buying. here are a lot of items to consider. Before you purchase verify any questionable issue. If access or egress issues are present don’t just accept the “no problem” response that so often accompanies this element. If the lake is low make sure you verify the viability of the site and the dam’s integrity. If you can’t find a clearly established corner find it or at least make an offer contingent upon satisfying this or any other element of concern. we have access to host of subject matter experts who help us answer those questions for our clients. We actually spend more time on these types of issues than any other element of our process.

Have the “RIGHT EQUIPMENT.” No different than a trophy hunt you need to be equipped for the adventure. Topo maps, satellite imagery, site index maps, Timber estimates, and vehicle designed for rough terrain are a few of the essentials. When we review a property for a client we take copious notes, I am always amazed at how much you can forget about property details in a short period of time. A key tool is for you to develop a site overview guide. The guide is a series of questions that should be asked about every piece of property. We have an extensive site guide that we use in the field to decrease the probability that we will overlook a key feature or consideration. Another indispensable tool for looking at properties is a quality digital camera. Take a series of pictures of key features so that you can review them or share them with others. Last but not least, be considerate of others who may accompany you on the site. If the wife and kids are going along make sure you take along the essentials so that they will be comfortable. Any quality broker will be sensitive to these issues and work with you to make it a fun experience for everyone involved.

STALK DELIBERATELY.” There is no perfect piece of land; compromise is more the rule than the exception. The question is what elements will you compromise? We recommend that you don’t compromise the crucial elements. It is not uncommon to be a little conflicted about this at first. What is a crucial or primary element? The answer lies in the potential landowner’s dream. If your vision is quail hunting with friends or entertaining in a dove field and the property is not conducive to the realization of this dream then don’t compromise. Let your dream be your guide. As you review more properties, a pattern will emerge. the priorities will be come overwhelmingly clear. we dealt with this concept extensively in the previous article; I refer you to it for more information.

“TAKING THE SHOT” or making the offer is an exhilarating moment in the overall experience. The heart pounds, palms sweat, every sense is raging; you become acutely aware of your surroundings, sound familiar? Do your best to steady yourself, fight to control your emotions. The best way to bridle your emotions is to arm your self with facts. the more facts you have the less you generalize the less generalization the less emotional response. You want this property or you should not make an offer, but you need to keep your guard up and be as objective as possible in an attempt to get a reasonable deal. We’ve had clients who get so excited about a property that they would pay whatever it takes. Steady now, you want to buy a dream, not a nightmare. Get facts: how much is the timber worth, what is the replacement value of the structures, place an objective value on the improvements. You can go to the courthouse and get information on properties that have recently sold in the area. Keep in mind that you can’t get comparables that are as objective as one can on residential properties but it will get you in the ball park.

Before you finalize your offer, be sure and reconsider any contingencies that you want to include. Include any element that is subject to inspection or verification. Don’t omit any element that could make you uncomfortable

When it is all said and done, it is not a matter of whether you paid, ‘the right price” but moreover a price you are comfortable with. If you deduct the fact based values from your total price offered it is easy to ascertain the value you are assigning to aesthetics and potential recreational enjoyment. No one can establish that value but you.

You have done all you can, write it up, ship it off, TAKE THE SHOT. In most cases if you have done your homework and communicated effectively with the other party, you will soon be a landowner.
PREPARE YOUR TROPHY. welcome to the club!!!! the first step, especially if this is your first trophy is a vain attempt to get a reign on your emotions the land is yours now; you should let your guard down and enjoy the true exhilaration that coincides with this moment. The English language is simply too limited for me to express what this moment is really like.

Not long ago someone asked me what I did for a living and my response was “I put families in the woods.” Take a moment and look into the eyes of an awestruck five year old as they take a fish from the pond, visit with a teenager as you walk a remote ridge top, watch relationships form between people. nature and God. “That’s not just how we find Property but why!!!