Inherited Farm Land Question

Inherited Farm Land Question

Rental Property Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2019 · 21 posts · 7 votes
Good Morning All Recently my grandma has passed on 200 acres of land in northern Iowa, 150 of it being farmable. My family now is weighing options. I am unexperienced with land/leases/farming but want to help make the correct decision. My Dad and Uncle would like to buy out their other brother and sistersfor this land as it does have some sentimental value, but I am trying to help them consider the costs and whether it would be a smart investment. Currently, the 150 acres is leased for farming at $200 per acre. This price is cheap given land prices. He thinks after a few years of recovery in this area it could be worth $325 an acre. (150 * 325 = $48750 per year in lease income). 5 siblings, the siblings will be buying out the other three. Farm Land Value: 150*$7500(per acre) = $1,125,000/5 = $225,000 Total Land Value: 200*$7500(per acre) = $1,500,000/5 = $300,000 Currently Leasing for: 150 acres * 200 = $30,000 per year Belief of future leases: 150 acres * 325 = $48,750 per year $48750/$1,500,000 = only 3.25% return, am I missing something on this? Furthermore, the land is valued rather cheaply right now (although lots of timber), and he believes value will come back. Now, I doubt this area will be developed any time soon, given there are under 100 people living in this town, but he is banking on appreciation of this land. Is there anyone experienced with farmland/leases who may have any input or better ideas than we have come up with? Should he bank on the appreciation and lease income and sell it later or sell it now and invest into the stock market? His stake is roughly 300k, but will have to shell out an additional 450k to buy this out. Any input is greatly appreciated! Nick
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  • Rental Property Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2019 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    6y
    I must also note, part of the reason the current lease is so cheap is because they are renting to a family friend.
  • Buy and Hold Investor · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2013 · 180 posts · 48 votes
    6y

    Nick, this seems to be a 3 part question and most of this response comes from a CPA friend who owns farmland in WI.

    1. The sentimental factor and emotion are important to consider. If it would upset them to lose this land, there's no price that can compare. If they are still actively farming the land and want to grow or someone in the family is or will be, then hold onto it. Prices are as low as they have been in a Once you sell it, you will never get it back in the family. It's gone. If they just want rental income, then it's not a great investment, from a cash perspective. However, if they see long-term upside, it could be a good investment. But slow and not liquid. That said, you can borrow at super low rates right now and they should borrow and not pay cash for the land.

    Now for the second and third parts; the comparison, which you started doing. You need to come up with a price value in 10 years. What will the land be worth in 10 years? Now compare buying it vs selling it and investing in the stock market. Which one wins over 10 years?

    It does change it a bit he only needs to pay 450. The real return on cash is 40/450. The 300 he has as his share is a sunk cost.

    You would have to compare 300k in the market at some return (7%?) vs 450 with some cash flow and hold for 10 years with a 2m sell price. If that's their holding period does that make sense? Land is a stable investment but not liquid. And what do they want to do with the land?

    My grandparents farm came up for sale I had no interest because its didn't cash flow and I didn't think it could appreciate enough in short term. It didn't trip my ego to say I have 200 acres of land.

  • Rental Property Investor · Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2019 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    6y

    Excellent info. Thank you. I will relay on

  • Darson GranthamBusiness Member
    Realtor · Des Moines · Member since 2018 · 304 posts · 253 votes
    6y

    Hi @Account Closed I just want to point out that 3% return, though sounds terrible right now, is very stable asset. Also, remember when family & emotion is involved, sometimes the numbers don't always pan out so anything in the positive is a great thing to see. 

    Good luck with everything, I'm sure it will be an ongoing process for a while.

    Wishing you the best.

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