Is 40 acres Enough for a Golf Course?

cowboydoc · Jul 12, 2003

I'm with you Slamfire. It just kills me to keep seeing all these farms and ranches broken up into small acreages.

5030 · Jul 12, 2003

I agree with the both of you. Besides, you move to the country for the peace and solitude and then you encourage the city people to come along with a sub-division!!!! I think NOT

Golfgar4 · Jul 12, 2003

( It is going to be a New Holland right? )

Not making any promises. I'm still checking out other dealers. Right now, if I had to make a decision based on the dealers I've talked with it, it would not be JD or NH. The local ones are not very "user friendly"!

But I'm still finding others, so we'll just have to wait and see.

( However, you may want to verify that you can subdivide the property, and whether there are any building rights attached to it as well. )

Jleman - Yeah, we're aware of all of that. We know we could subdivide because 1) They've already done it with the 40 acres they sold before, and 2) the sale ad mentions that it is dividable. We know there may be other restrictions, and we're in the process of looking into them now. Thanks for tip, though! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

( I just hate the idea of subdivision. )

Slamfire, Cowboydoc, and 5030 - I understand what you mean. We've discussed this also. But financially it would work to our advantage to at least split some of it out. We will be looking at the plot map to determine what is the best way to minimize the amount of dividing so that some of the property could still be used for crops.

We're still a long way off, and we have a lot of hurdles to overcome for this to work. We'll just have to wait and see how it all pans out! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

yooperdave · Jul 12, 2003

Hi Gary,

My parents own a 40 acre golf course 80 miles north of Green Bay. Both parents are retired, and have owned the course for 25 years.

Their age and health is becoming an issue. They may wish to sell within the next year or two. They are equipment orientated - they have more mowers, irrigation equipment, etc. than many courses twice their size.

Let me know if you want to come and play, or wish to buy.

Yooper Dave

Golfgar4 · Jul 13, 2003

( Let me know if you want to come and play, or wish to buy.
)

Hi Dave,

Well, I always want to play! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif As far as buying a golf course and running it, I think I'm past that much enthusiasm, although 10 or 15 years ago it might have been interesting! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Will they be trying to sell the course as a whole thing, or will they be selling it off piece meal? I might be interested in a good used CUT if they're selling the equipment. I also know a couple of guys who just built a 9 hole course about 15 miles west of me. They plan on building the second 9 in about 2 years. They might be interested in buying some of the equipment too. Let me know if I can help.

And thanks for the offer to play. If I see that I might be able to get up your way, I'll certainly let you know! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

fractal · Jul 14, 2003

( I agree with the both of you. Besides, you move to the country for the peace and solitude and then you encourage the city people to come along with a sub-division!!!! I think NOT )

Add me to the list. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat its mistakes. Learn from Germany in the 1850's... If you can't afford the land without subdividing it ... you can't afford the land. Think of your kids and grandkids. Think about mine if you don't have any. Please don't split up perfectly good ag parcels.

Slamfire · Jul 14, 2003

Financial advantage and country livin' just don't seem compatable somehow. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Illiniwek · Jul 14, 2003

I agree. Please don't subdivide just to make a few bucks. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif You're probably not going to get a whole lot of support for that idea on this forum.

4 10-acre plots or 2 20-acre plots? Maybe, and you could still make a quick buck or two. But, dumping a bunch of McMansions on 1 acre-lots with their own wells and septic and so on just don't make good sense.

rancar · Jul 14, 2003

Hi Garry...

Just a quick word here....the farm you're looking at is beautiful. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif House looks big and well maintained. Same holds true for the barn buildings, silos, and grounds. You mind if I ask what they're asking for this property? A spread like this in my neighborhood would quickly go for $300-400K. It's unbelievable how real estate prices in upstate, rural New York have escalated dramatically since 9/11. It appears many NYC, Long Island, and New Jersey folks are emigrating upstate to search for a bit more peace and security (real or perceived.....I don't really know) and in the process pushing real estate prices higher. A place like what you are looking at would sell within weeks in my neck of the woods.

...Bob

Golfgar4 · Jul 14, 2003

Hi Bob,

The asking price at this time is $365,000.00. The general concensus of those who know about these things is that it will probably end up going for around $340,000.00 or so.

I'm having a hard time thinking about this with all of the comments the guys have been making about maintaining the acreage. I respect the opinion of every one of the guys that have posted replies, and I really value their input. I could afford to buy the property once I sell my place. I would make the purchase contingent on the sale of my place, but it's doable. I wasn't really looking to get land to farm, but I might consider continuing to lease/rent it out to other local farmers if the revenue would pay the taxes, etc. How much could someone in that situation expect to recover on an annual basis? And how much could you get by renting out the silos? I expect that if we move further ahead into this purchase I'll get this information from the owners, but I'm just wondering.

Another question that is raised is in relation to the other property around this parcel. As I indicated in a previous reply, there is already some development going on. It would appear that other farmers/owners are selling off their property which is then being developed. That begs the question as to how long it would be before we'd feel like we were back in the city! I think the land is far enough out that we probably wouldn't see it annexed into any community during our time. But if the surrounding land does get developed, you almost have to ask the question whether it's worth it to try to get your little space in the country if you're just going to end up with neighbors 50 yards away! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif