Hi all, wonder if you can help me? I'm new to property investing, hoping to buy my first IP later this year. Been speaking to a few people & like the idea of buying an IP where I can add value of some kind, get it revalued then borrow some of the equity for the next IP I've recently noticed some property listings having a line like 'offered at land value' even though the house isn't that bad (not great but not terrible either) which got me thinking Does anyone use this as a specific strategy - looking for properties that are available at close to land value (or even below land value - is that even possible?)? Is 'land value' actually a good measure of the minimum value of a property? And how does buying at/below land value affect the revaluation? Basically I guess I'm asking whether buying a property at/below land value is an easy/obvious way to manufacture equity?
How will you determine land value? By what the agent says? Looking at the UCV on a rates notice/OSR website? Research? Engaging a valuer?
I think you have the right approach - worry about the land you are buying much more than the house on it. Getting something you can add value to is a great way to build up equity. We have only ever purchased dumps. As for determining value - comparatives are the best way. Look for places where renovated houses sell for a lot more than ones needing a renovation.
Be careful of land value in falling markets like Sydney or Melbourne.... Lots of people thought that houses could not drop below...land value..they can.....it is happening all over Sydney. Land value works better in depressed markets as there is more upside!!
Every property I have purchased (or looked to) I have asked myself "How can I add value". In my own experience this requires a few things as an investor. 1. Some knowledge of construction costs (something is better than nothing) 2. Understanding of the local market 3. A willing lender To expand: 1. You need to understand the cost of the "product" you are going to make as this will determine suitable properties for you to buy. 2. Building a 8+ Million dollar mansion in the middle of no where won't work. You need to make sure you research and understand your target market. 3. Lender's requirements for construction loans can be rather tight especially for an unproven customer and some lenders refuse to do these loans. To assist a bit more with your question directly. You need to look at land sales exclusively to have an idea of "land value" however this can be somewhat hard to do. Personally I use a "replacement value" calculator and work back from there so... Asking Price: $510,000 Minus Replacement cost of improvements: $180,000 Equals land value: $330,000 Regards ComPropAgent
Thanks everyone, that's a lot of help. So based on all this, a couple more questions @Tonibell so I'm guessing you're talking about renovation, maybe a rebuild or small-scale development? Are there particular areas you find this works better than other areas? @sash given the falling markets in Sydney & Melbourne what are your views on the best kind of land to buy? Would you say smaller/more expensive lots in inner-ring suburbs that have fallen a reasonable way eg Epping, Lane Cove, Bondi, Leichhardt etc or bigger/less expensive lots in middle or outer-ring suburbs? Also I've heard some people talk about 'landbanking' - not the crappy/spruiked lots in the middle of nowhere but genuinely buying land with the potential for rezoning & selling to a professional developer in the future. Have you or anyone you know successfully used this strategy? Don't the holding costs make it a hard thing to pull off in the long-term?
Don't bother land banking unless you get an absolute bargain....you would be better of getting to growth market...take the profit and then return to a market like Sydney....
