Sold My Land (Fayetteville, Springdale, Benton: real estate market, buying a house, buying)

[JWG223]

I moved here 2 years and 1 month and 8 days ago. I had purchased land roughly 1 year and 1 month prior to that event.

My goal was to "get out" of the city, and I thought I had achieved it.

Ultimately though, this area is growing rather rapidly, and I saw houses popping up near my land. Even a bloody real-estate office popped up at the end of the road I was on! A building...which existed...only to sell other buildings! NEXT TO ME!

So, I sold out.

I love the area though, so I'm not moving. Not in the least. I'm just re-locating further south, north, east, or west. This time to buy a house, and not just land, as I have established that I like this area and wish to remain.

That said, I had a few questions:

-What are the implications of the green areas (National Ozark Forest), on the map?
-What is the implication of buying a house INSIDE this green shaded area?
-I didn't think you COULD have a house...in a national forest?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by JWG223

I moved here 2 years and 1 month and 8 days ago. I had purchased land roughly 1 year and 1 month prior to that event.

My goal was to "get out" of the city, and I thought I had achieved it.

Ultimately though, this area is growing rather rapidly, and I saw houses popping up near my land. Even a bloody real-estate office popped up at the end of the road I was on! A building...which existed...only to sell other buildings! NEXT TO ME!

So, I sold out.

I love the area though, so I'm not moving. Not in the least. I'm just re-locating further south, north, east, or west. This time to buy a house, and not just land, as I have established that I like this area and wish to remain.

That said, I had a few questions:

-What are the implications of the green areas (National Ozark Forest), on the map?
-What is the implication of buying a house INSIDE this green shaded area?
-I didn't think you COULD have a house...in a national forest?

Can't answer your question JWG but was thinking of you a couple days ago as you hadn't posted in a long time. Sorry the wide open field idea didn't work for you, or should I say they are away forest but glad yo are staying.

[jackmichigan]

Many maps of national forests simply map the established boundaries of the national forest. That does not mean that all of the land within that area is national forest land. There are many inholdings within national forest boundaries, in some more than most. In Michigan, there are numerous properties within national forest boundaries that are not owned by the federal government. It's probably very similar in your area. To determine actual ownership, you should look at local plat maps, which are usually sold for each County. That would be the easiest way to determine where properties might be available for purchase.

[JWG223]

Originally Posted by jackmichigan

Many maps of national forests simply map the established boundaries of the national forest. That does not mean that all of the land within that area is national forest land. There are many inholdings within national forest boundaries, in some more than most. In Michigan, there are numerous properties within national forest boundaries that are not owned by the federal government. It's probably very similar in your area. To determine actual ownership, you should look at local plat maps, which are usually sold for each County. That would be the easiest way to determine where properties might be available for purchase.

So...people owned land...then it became national forest, but their plot was grandfathered...so no land outside the grandfather plots can be bought or sold by civilians, effectively landlocking what already exists? As in...no new neighbors closer. Ever.?

[Rock Climber]

Originally Posted by JWG223

So...people owned land...then it became national forest, but their plot was grandfathered...so no land outside the grandfather plots can be bought or sold by civilians, effectively landlocking what already exists? As in...no new neighbors closer. Ever.?

I believe this is correct. I haven't heard of fedgov taking anyone's land adjacent to National Forest land. It doesn't seem like they are in "acquisition mode" anymore.

Depending on the area, some national forests are logged for profit occasionally, although the ones I've seen that done to are the faster-regenerating pine forests to the south of NWA.

Glad to know that NWA met your expectations as a good place to live. Sorry to hear that your property is getting taken over by development!

That stinks. Benton County is growing faster than Washington County. Areas directly to the south of Fayetteville tend to be much less-developed and there seems to not be much growth pressure down there.

Another point to consider, while you won't have any new neighbors in those areas, that land is public land, so you'd encounter hunters, hikers, etc.

[thegreenflute334]

Anything east but it won't last long. Your property was east in ( near) Gardfeild/Saligmon. I wanted to say "hi! ( long time- no see) Building is just crazy now.. sorry you had to sell. Try coming to Fayetteville more often. Even Fayetteville Wal-Mart ( behind it ) is solid street of housing ( aparments) now. Blows my mind. I mean solid.....

[thegreenflute334]

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER Construction continues on new homes March 16 on Southwest Barton Street in Bentonville. Builders received 2,078 residential building permits in Benton County last year, nearly double the number issued in Washington County.

NWA residential real estate market sizzles | NWADG

[JWG223]

I'm looking for 1 hour max, equidistant to Fayetteville or Bentonville, during non peak driving hours

[thegreenflute334]

Originally Posted by JWG223

I'm looking for 1 hour max, equidistant to Fayetteville or Bentonville, during non peak driving hours

something towards Huntsville closer to Springdale- where I am.. ETA: weird thing is, you can get to Eureka just like you could from your property. Huntsville is a longer trip.

http://snip.li/kJu

http://snip.li/VT7K


(I'm going to get off here for awhile, weather is bad)

[jackmichigan]

Originally Posted by JWG223

So...people owned land...then it became national forest, but their plot was grandfathered...so no land outside the grandfather plots can be bought or sold by civilians, effectively landlocking what already exists? As in...no new neighbors closer. Ever.?

Correct. The national forest boundaries indicate where the federal government MAY buy land to add to the national forest. Many people didn't sell their land when the national forest was first created (or there wasn't sufficient money at the time to buy them) so those properties remained as private inholdings in the national forest. Unfortunately, that does NOT mean that you wouldn't have new neighbors. Owners of properties within a national forest are free to subdivide and sell their properties. The public land in the national forest won't be developed...unless the anti-conservation forces taking over Washington choose to sell them off. So there is a real possibility that "protected" lands might be sold and developed to the detriment of future generations.