How to Buy California Land With Cash Discounts

Despite rising interest rates as the Fed works to curb inflation, California’s land and real estate markets are still sitting pretty. Generally, when we talk about real estate markets, people think of residential or commercial real estate. That is, homes, apartments, and businesses. But in this post, we’re talking about the land markets — and how you can buy California land with cash discounts. 

While the housing market in California seems to be slowing down a bit thanks to rising mortgage rates, California won’t stay down for long. The state has been — and is predicted to remain — one of the hottest markets in the country. And even though this makes undeveloped land very desirable, there are still some highly affordable areas in which to purchase land in the country’s most populous state. 

Here’s how to get an excellent price on that land!

1. Choose the Right County

You’re probably not surprised to see this as the number one tip on the list. Like other types of real estate, getting a good deal on land is all about location. And while there’s stiff competition in places like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, the land gets much more affordable in up-and-coming counties around the state. These include:

• San Bernardino – Home to growing areas like Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Big Bear, San Bernardino County has some amazing opportunities for land buyers. Whether you’re looking for investment opportunities or your own slice of paradise, check out San Bernardino County. 
• Modoc – For those looking to get away from the bustle of cities, Modoc County in the northeastern corner of California is an excellent place to look. Low land prices and miles of untouched wilderness make this county a go-to for land buyers who want a place to camp, hike, fish hunt, or build a cabin. 
• Tehama – Tehama County is ‌in the northern-central portion of California, near numerous recreational areas. There are plenty of places for hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping nearby. The Sacramento River runs through the county, allowing for excellent fishing and other recreational activities along the river. Land in the area is very affordable. 

2. Find the Right Company/Seller

Once you decide the location(s) in which you’ll be looking for land, the next step is finding the right company or private seller. With so many options out there, this is easier said than done. Mand land-sale websites list third-party sellers for a fee, allowing anyone to post their land for sale. Conversely, other companies (like Land Elevated) own all the land they sell. Either way, you’ll want to make sure that you’re dealing with a serious seller who has a good track record and isn’t trying to scam you. 

When using a service like Land Elevated, you can take advantage of the latest AI technology to narrow down your search with laser-focused precision. Our proprietary and complimentary LandMatch™ technology is easy to use. Just provide the precise criteria for your needs, and let LandMatch™ search our vast network of listed and unlisted properties and update you when there are matches. Click here to learn more. 

3. Visit the Land Before Buying

Once you find a piece of land that fits your criteria, it’s imperative to visit the land. This is a vital part of the due diligence process that ensures the land is exactly what you’re looking for. 

We provide you with everything you need to visit your land (aside from transportation and time, of course). This way, you can make 100% certain that you won’t be surprised by the land you’re going to purchase. 

4. Choose The Best Buying Option That Works For You

Once you’ve located a plot (or plots) of land you wish to purchase, it’s time to choose the best buying option. To get the best price on the land, you’ll usually have three options. The first and best way to get a big discount is by paying 100% cash upfront. Since California land is selling for as low as a few thousand dollars, this isn’t a big stretch for a lot of people. 

The second option is to approach a third-party lender for a loan with favorable terms. This way you can still get a large cash discount from the seller while benefiting from the low APR on your loan. 

Lastly, you can get a significant cash discount by providing a large down payment and negotiating 6- to 12-month terms with the seller. The discount won’t be as big as it would be if you were to pay for the land upfront, but it will still be better than the price you would get with a small down payment. 

5. Make a Suitable Offer

Once you have a plan for payment, it’s time to make an offer on the land! First, you’ll want to see if there’s any wiggle room in the price. A suitable offer is‌ 10 or 15% below the asking price. Any lower and it could sour negotiations with the seller. 

Of course, the more you can put down, the more likely the seller will entertain a lower offer. But it’s also important to keep in mind that some sellers won’t budge from their asking price. It really depends on who is doing the selling!

Talk To a Land Specialists Today — 100% Free

Land in up-and-coming California counties is surprisingly affordable, but it won’t be that way forever. If you’re looking to buy land in California, you can secure the best price with cash discounts. But if you’ve never bought land before and aren’t sure where to start, we can help!

If you have questions or concerns best addressed by a professional, you can always talk to one of our Land Specialists. Like a realtor, we’ll help you locate the land that fits your needs — for free. Our Land Specialists don’t take a cut of any sale, removing any incentive to do any “selling.” This service is always free, whether you buy land or not! Contact a Land Specialist today. 

Or, if you’re ready to take a look at land listings, check out our California land for sale! Happy land hunting!

Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for our epic land buying tips and resources.