[Penguine]

Qucik question.. I grew up down state in Romulus, joined the USAF when I was 17, and now retired and thinking of moving back to MI, possibly the UP. Looking for land, 30-50 acres, and there is a lot to be had in the UP at what I would consider a good price. Can anyone tell me what would be the best places to focus my search? I was thinking the Marquette area but I am unsure.

Thanks,

Penguine

[boner]

Depends on alot. Do want timber to harvest or invest in, farmland, recreational. How close do you want to be to town, do ya hunt?

I kmow alot of people who buy acerage and let companies come in and do select cuts to pay the taxes another freind who wanted near access to a graded snowmobile trails.

Those are the types things I would consider if I were buying land in the UP

[Coldjensens]

Former Mining/lumber properties are pretty cheap. I would avoid mining property (likely contamination), but much of the lumber properties are beginning to re-grow and are very nice.

[wishIwereintheUP]

I agree with the 'what do you want' analysis. I would also consider your preference for a general area - if you don't have one, then do some traveling to investigate various areas - eastern, central, western UP, etc. Even though 'what you want to do' might be possible throughout the UP, you might end up liking a specific area over another.

I'm assuming you intend to build on your vacant land in order to move up there (as opposed to just a rough camp). If that's the case, be sure to investigate all the costs and details involved with building on vacant land. While you get exactly what you want that way, it's quite expensive to do compared to the cost of existing homes post housing crash, even if some remodeling is required.

You are correct about the good price of land in the UP. It's definitely a bargain, compared to what I saw in rural Illinois and Wisconsin. Plus, it's much nicer in the UP, but I'm biased.

[Coldjensens]

I considered some former logging land. Beautiful property $1,000 per acre, but possibly negotiable. Problem is it is 7-10 hours from my house. I suspect there woudl be years where I did not even see the property.

[rotwein]

If youhave the time spend about a month driving around the UP and talk to the local people, not just realestate agents. Some things to find out are, how much does it cost to drill a well, what is the cost to electrify the property, and what is it going to cost to build.

[Penguine]

Thanks for all the replies, sorry it has been a while since I have been back here to check this thread. Things I want to do are:

Build an off-grid cabin with solar/wind power
Hunt/Fish/Small Farm

I also need, well want, the land to contain a water source in the form of a stream/river if possible and am considering a downsize in property to between 10-20 acres as opposed to 30-50 acres.

I've looked at a bunch of properties online as this is my only means right now, being that I live about 1100 miles from the UP and everytime I try and contact a realtor they never answer back. Makes it very hard to plan a trip to look at properties when realtors are being butt-heads!

[wishIwereintheUP]

It depends on where you are looking, but if it happens to be the western UP, contact Kevin Liimatta at State Wide of Houghton or Josh Stein at Northern Michigan Land Brokers. I'm sure either would be happy to work with you.