buying land for new house, which would you pick?

[Andy Seibel]

Hey guys, my wife and I are currently looking at land to build a house on but can't decide which way to go. maybe some of you have made a similar choice and I'm wondering if you have any advice. thanks in advance.

 

Both are roughly 9 acres just outside of Green Bay, WI.

 

Option 1: Quiet rural life - farther from town, very quiet road. no neighbors' houses within 1000'.

Very flat lot with no trees and no interesting terrain. I probly cannot make a garage "basement" with a drive in door. Asking price $125,000, I think I could get it for $115,000.

 

Option 2: More convenient, more expensive - right on the edge of town, surrounded by houses already. Shorter commute for my wife. Lot is somewhat on the "ledge" so it is sloping downhill - maybe 20' difference from high end to low end. From the high side we would have a very nice view out over the Fox Valley. It is currently a corn field so no trees at all. I could build a garage with a basement shop easily because of the slope. Asking $229,500, but I already got a verbal counter price of $190,000 from the seller. Basically maxing out the budget here.

 

So would you pick the cheaper quieter place? Or the more expensive place with a view? Have you ever regretted spending too much on a lot? or wish you spent more on your dream lot with a view? Thanks for reading, and have a nice day!

[Horhay7]

I think real estate is such a personal choice in your life you're really not going to get anybody in the same position as you, with the same desires and needs. You have to look at yourself, your wife, and any future family and decide what do you feel is better for you in the long run and your financial situation. What will work for one person may not work for you. Personally, I prefer the quiet, more rural area and that just happens to be cheaper in your situation. In my situation here, that is actually the more expensive option. Have to consider the market and area for the future if you ever have to sell, there's just far too many variables that you really just need to make a personal choice based on your situation.

[FishAr]

That's mighty expensive land.

[Andy Seibel]

That's mighty expensive land.

 

Yea, tell me about it. Farmland is selling for 9-10 thousand an acre in my township.

That's what you get when its 15 minutes from Green Bay and 30 minutes from Appleton.

[Andy Seibel]

there's just far too many variables

 

You are spot on. That's why we can't make up our mind. I'm hoping someone might offer a new perspective that helps me decide.

I asked what you would do, so thanks for your input. Frankly you agree with the way I was leaning. The wife is leaning the other way right now.

[Horhay7]

The funny thing is, looking at the prices you're talking about I wish I could find that here in Mass where I live. You're lucky to find an acre in a nice development for under 175,000. Good luck whichever way you end up going.

[KARNUT]

If you plan on living there for 10 plus years go farther out. Five years or so closer to town.

[StillOffshore]

I would find out if the farmland adjacent to the property is up for sale or if they plan on farming it for years to come? If there is a possibility that they will sell the farm land, you may end up with a neighborhood right next door. What type of neighbors will you get?? That would be one of my main concerns.

[Colossus]

Way too much farm land is being sold to build housing. This needs to stop.

[Likarok]

Both sound great Coke, but as a person who grew up on a farm and then worked for a rural county for 30 years...........Just remember you are the sewer man, You should check out the septic system and make sure it is up to par, You are the water works dept. Also check the water system, ie: the water well. I would even go so far as to suggest you have the water tested at a lab to see what you are getting. And being in Green Bay area you are going to get snow, at times lots of it so you better be prepared to deal with that as far as your driveway goes.

[diyer2]

You didn't mention your budget.

Rural for sure.

The flat land will be more use able and cheaper to build on IMO. And under ground space will be damp and cost more due to wall construction.

 

We have a home on 5 acres that has few trees, slight slope and I can utilize all of the lot. Summer time people can use their campers, RV's and have some space.

[StillOffshore]

Can always plant trees, shrubbery, etc...it is expensive, and could take years, but you get what you want and where you want it.

[Andy Seibel]

Way too much farm land is being sold to build housing. This needs to stop.

 

Yea, I agree in principal. But both of these lots are already zoned residential. Both are already surrounded by homes, one just have larger neighboring lots.

 

See this--->

[Andy Seibel]

And being in Green Bay area you are going to get snow, at times lots of it so you better be prepared to deal with that as far as your driveway goes.

 

haha, thanks for the info- see my profile pic

 

but yes, I am aware of the water quality since I currently own a home with a well about 3 miles from both of these. We have extremely hard water with a lot of rust. the softener gets a good workout.

[Andy Seibel]

Thank-you everyone for the input. All good things to think about.

 

someone asked about the budget- we don't have a set number for just the lot, but obviously the more money we spend on land, the more we are in the hole when we take out the construction loan. That's why I'm torn between the better value, or the better view.

 

I have lived in rural Wisconsin my whole life, so POWTS and wells are not new to me. We mostly chose this area because my wife wants a short commute to work. I either drive to job-sites or work from home, so location doesn't matter for my commute.