I don't know, I'm just speculating.

I will use it as an instrument right now, especially for the houses I feel I will speculate on and cash out on the earlier end of the 8-15 year mark.  

I realize that my silence after my initial post probably helped fuel speculation as to my motives.

They were speculators at best.

It's really all just speculation here and I'm just giving a few possibilities. 

Speculators were going in and buying properties - they were fine with leaving the properties vacant and riding the capital appreciation on the asset.

It can and does often disappear in a heart beat.Appreciation is not significant unless your intent is speculation which is a viable option but much higher risk.

Hi Paul,Here are some of the many things you should do before you begin speculating in developing land.  1.

I don't think your going to have very good luck getting strangers to give you their drivers license and social security card.To verify that you are talking with the owner simply look up the owners name on the county tax auditor site and when they introduce themselves it should be the same.Now this next part of my answert is just speculating based off of the content in this question; you should not be putting properties "under contract" the only time you should be doing that is if you are ready, willing and able to buy it.

Just some low risk speculation right now.