Owning Land In Nebraska: Pros & Cons | askBAMLand

If you're going to own land in Nebraska, do your due diligence and understand the pros and cons. That way you won’t make a bad investment.

Nebraska is a farming state, so owning land in the green State is a plus. You might be scared of the high price value and taxes, but do not let them put you off; focus on the land's profitability. And to find a suitable plot of land, you must work with the best real estate company or agent in the State. And if you decide to reside in Nebraska, your quality of life will be improved, as it has the most friendly and welcoming residents making you feel right at home.

You can own land in Nebraska by buying or leasing. It is a farming state, with a 100% return on your investment. There is plenty of water, so your crops will never experience drought. Besides, it's near the "Corn Belt," which provides the farmers with a great marketing avenue.

Although owning land in Nebraska has many positives, it's not without a downside, starting with the high cost of land and extreme weather conditions. The land in Nebraska does not have hills that offer hikers a chance to explore nature, but if you love hunting, this State will satisfy your cravings.

That said, it's a good idea to own land in Nebraska as you are assured of not incurring any losses. So, find the best realtor and start the process of making you an owner of a piece of land in Nebraska.

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What are the Pros of Owning Land in Nebraska

If you want to invest, consider buying a piece of land as it is an appreciating asset. If you still have doubts about owning land in Nebraska, read on and discover the pros of diversifying your portfolio by adding land.

Nearness to the "Corn Belt"

Nebraska is within the "Corn Belt," which means that its production of corn and soybeans is plenty. The soil in the states within the corn belt is fertile and rich in organic material and nitrogen, which are crucial in producing a hefty harvest. And don't forget that their land is relatively level, thus no risks of soil erosion.

Its nearness to the corn belts makes it easy for farmers to market their products and transport their cattle. Thus, you'll find plenty of ranches in this State as it is cheap to live here, and their livestock thrives better than their neighbors to the west.

Water Abundance

Nebraska is thriving in farming activities because the Ogallala Aquifers' level is increasing instead of dwindling, as evidenced in other states due to excessive water extraction. And the upside is that this Green State sits on top of the Ogallala Aquifer at the point where it is highly saturated.

Nebraska's soil is porous, and the water from the Ogallala Aquifer is located at a shallow depth; the ground is always wet, and the excess water from the surface seeps back into the Aquifer.

Therefore, when buying land in Nebraska, you must consider water availability, whether for farming or livestock. And the proximity of a stable Aquifer.

Highly production of farm produce

You may start to reconsider owning land in Nebraska when you consider the cost of property taxes. But don't let this discourage you, as the net profit from your farming or ranch is pretty high because the land has outstanding production capability, consistent moisture, and easy access to water for irrigation and storage.

The State is near the grain and cattle market. Besides, living in Nebraska is much lower compared to bustling cities. Therefore, when buying land in Nebraska, don't just pay attention to the obscene property taxes but all the benefits of owning land and living in Nebraska.

Remember, it's not a must you buy land; you can decide to lease land in Nebraska.

Friendly State

Nebraska is a friendly state, especially in the rural areas, and you will feel right at home. The State is sparsely populated as pieces of land owned by an individual are vast; therefore, this is your State if you don't thrive in a crowded place.

People brought up in Nebraska are instilled with family values and work ethics from a young age. Therefore, this State is not polluted with modern trends. People are more community-minded, and if you need a helping hand, you will find that residents of this State are pretty quick to assist even a total stranger.

Cons of Owning Land in Nebraska

High cost of land

Because of the high productivity, easy access to water, and proximity to the corn belt, land in Nebraska is expensive. So be prepared to cough up a pretty sum as the property taxes in Nebraska are obscene.

Unfavorable weather conditions

The weather in Nebraska is not very favorable as the winters are freezing, and the summer is scorching. If you are moving from a warm region, be prepared with all types of clothes; heavy for winter and light for summer.

If you work on a farm, be it rain or sun, you need to be prepared with hats and rain jackets. This makes moving to Nebraska a not-so-favorite State for many, especially those in their retirement age.

If you like to experience all the four seasons in their extremes, you will love Nebraska. But, you don't have to relocate; you can buy or lease land and hire people to manage it for you. You only need to pop in once or twice a month to check on things.

Natural disasters

Nebraska also faces its fair share of natural disasters due to weather emergencies, common in the midwest. Some of the weather emergencies you will experience in Nebraska include wind-driven snow, which creates a blizzard-like storm.

And during the rainy season, you will experience flooding as the land is already wet due to the Ogallala Aquifer. And this may lead to crop destruction and immense losses to the farmers.

Another natural disaster observed in Nebraska is the tornado which has a habit of turning the lives of the residents upside down. Nebraska is listed among the top 10 states in the U.S to experience several tornadoes every year. The State is found in the middle of the Tornado Valley, where the warm, humid air clashes with the cold, creating at least 50 plus tornadoes each year.

So, if you plan to own land in Nebraska, ensure that you have a tornado-proof shelter for protection. It would also be wise to insure your crop, autos, and properties.

Plain Landscape

Nebraska does not have mountains as it's a flatland. So if you enjoy hiking in the mountains, you are in for a disappointment. However, this shouldn't kill your adventurous spirit as you can find a few lakes to go fishing or canoeing and forests to go hunting.

The best part is you can travel to Colorado if you want to break a sweat by climbing a mountain as there are plenty.

And to the South, you will find valleys and canyons, while Western Nebraska has a vast land of prairies with massive and magic-looking bluffs and buttes. So it all depends on your ability to explore and have fun.

High Crime rate

If you decide to buy land and move to Nebraska, be ready to spend most of your time at home as there is limited entertainment and non-existent nightlife. This is especially so if you move to the rural areas as people start going home at 5 pm.

And because of this, the rate of crime in this State is at an all-time high. But don't worry, as the burglars are not violent; they are most focused on looting cars and other petty items. This is observed in Omaha and Lincoln

Low racial diversity

Most of the people living in Nebraska are White. It is estimated that 85% of the population is white, which would make it uncomfortable for a person of color to own land in this State.

However, if you are open to exploring a new place and share similar values, norms, and beliefs as the residents of Nebraska, then you will fit right in.

Far from bustling cities

Before buying land in Nebraska, you must know what to look for to ensure you are not getting shortchanged. This is where a good real estate agent comes in, as they know and understand all the aspects of acreage transaction, thus helping during the buying process and ensuring you have no problems after closing.

Tips to Use When Buying Land in Nebraska

Suppose you want to own land in Nebraska. In that case, you must hire a Professional and reputable realtor to help you determine if the land is worth investing in by evaluating the following factors.

  • Septic system
  • Water source
  • Safe drinking water
  • Means of access
  • Fence laws
  • Buying land laws

If the land meets all the factors above and your realtor is for it, you can be sure that it's a good investment.

About THE AUTHOR

Brittany Melling

Brittany Melling

Brittany has been in the land business since 2020 when the world was starting to shut down. Since then, we’ve sold to dozens of people from ATV weekend warriors to camping enthusiasts to retired truck drivers. Our inventory spans mostly in the western United States. We’ve been trained by experience, land acquisition courses, and hundreds of hours meeting with county assessors and clerks, zoning officials, realtors, and land investors. We’ve answered hundreds of questions from people regarding the buying and use of land.

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