Looking for a small plot of land near very south west portion of Illinois (Chicago: for sale)

[mputnick]

It has always been my dream to own some rural land.

I currently live in Chicago, and would like to buy a small piece of land along the south west portion of Illinois (close enough to St. Louis). Does anyone know if it is possible to buy small plots of land? Maybe like 10-25 acres? I know sometimes it is hard to find smaller plots of rural land.

The reason I am looking for land is for this land would be for Timberland or recreation. I know I may have to pay someone to tend the land while I am not there which is fine with me.

The land doesn’t even need to have a house on it. Does any of you have any ideas? If this post is to vague please tell me so I can narrow down what I am looking for (I am new to this site so bare with me).

Thanks, Matt

[runninfiend]

It is difficult to find land with smaller numbers of acres. The good news is that lots of recrational timber land is for sale in smaller parcels.

Illinois and Iowa land for sale hunting recreation trophy whitetail deer wild turkey is a good place to start. Listings are by county.

[mputnick]

I figured it was going to be hard to find smaller plots of land. Thanks for the info. Do you think it is even possible to find smaller plots of land? I have heard that the smaller plots of land can change hands without even going on the market. Ever hear of this?

Thanks, Matt

[linicx]

Land that cnanges title without using a realtor is usually between family members of friends. Sometimes a land sale is though a family auction. If you want to buy near Stl Louis you will pay dearly for it. If you want land for recreation, you'd be better served to look on the Missouri side near the Mark Twain National Forest. I like the Troy araa. It's not so far that you can't go to St.Louis when you feel like it. On the on ther hand it has more to offer than a gas station and post office. Taxes are cheaper and so is gasoline. I've lived in both states.

[runninfiend]

Originally Posted by mputnick

I figured it was going to be hard to find smaller plots of land. Thanks for the info. Do you think it is even possible to find smaller plots of land? I have heard that the smaller plots of land can change hands without even going on the market. Ever hear of this?

Thanks, Matt

It's possible, although it's my observation that plots less than 15 acres are almost always marketed as homesites and thus dramatically overpriced.

The easiest way to find small plots of land for recreation is to know the locals. You are right in saying that they're not often on the market.

If you have a specific area you want to look in, I'd go to the cafe of the nearest smallest town at about 5:00 a.m. and ask the farmers. They'll know.

Otherwise, small town realtors will usually be able to direct you.

The prices of wooded land in western and southern Illinois has also gone up in recent years due to increased hunting demand. You can get 40-80 acres of timber, but it will cost you often $2,500 to $5,000 an acre, depending where it is.