Some good raw data and stats for us to think about.My question is a bit off the topic and sort of rhetorical: Is this a form of market manipulation by the hedge funds, as people sometimes consider the oil speculators guilty of doing?

Absolutely agree...We're not buying any raw land...these are tear-downs that we're actually getting for less than the land value.That said, even those are hard to come by, so we're moving most of our investing out of Atlanta these days, both for that reason and because rehabs are getting scarce...

When your analyzing a subject property for key values and metrics in order to make a sound investment decision, your going to need to start with the raw comparable sales data.

I acquired 3 properties in 2 different markets, international raw land & massively restructured my balance sheet.

If you have 50 acres of raw land between 2 parcels then it might not be generating much income but just taxes for you.Maybe sell the land and then buy a retail strip or larger apartment building.

I am looking at developing some small apartment buildings on raw land and wanted to see if there was anything out there.

In addition to what was shared by others and based on the raw experience of another BPer, if the property has a coin-op laundry, find out if the machines are sold to you with the property or if there is an outside company leasing the laundry and doing business there.When we bought our 8-plex with existing tenants, one of the tenants asked to see our ID and proof that we were the new owners before she would talk to us or let us inspect in her home.

I know that getting traditional banks to finance raw land deals is often challenging, and most banks won't even consider the option.

Non-Recourse lenders willing to lend to retirement accounts have varying requirements on both the amount of down payment they require (typically about 30%), the terms and length (generally 3 - 5 year ARMs) and they type of property they will lend on (generally NOT raw land or mobile homes).Leveraging a Real Estate purchase inside an IRA will result in a tax called UBIT -Unrelated Business Income Tax.

I recently came across some Raw Land in Forsyth Area roughly a little more than 5 acres.