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As small towns suffer from a continuing flight from rural toward-more urban living, some economic development groups and governments in these troubled areas have chosen to stay and fight.
Just a little note on the accuracy of the posted article... the Homestead "giveaway" in Andersen, AK was most definitely NOT a flop. Every single one of of the lots that were in the clearance were claimed and most of them have been improved sufficient to meet the terms of the agreement. It may not have gone as fast or seen as large a "boom" as somewhere in the lower 48 would, but it certainly did well by AK standards!
Also in the Camden Maine story; you need to already have a few million dollars, and agree to start-up a factory, and hire only local employees, and to support the local economy.
So it is technically 'free'; so long as your willing to sign a contract agreeing to spend a few million.
Yes, one would want to look at the agreements before really thinking about it any further. I looked at several of the Kansas towns and the requirements for a house were, I thought, more than a little over the top for the area. Most of the cities had no services or jobs that would be available and after building a house of the caliber they were demanding, the resale value, if you could find a buyer, would be lower than the cost of building and this was before the major slump (depression) we are now in. The value of the lots really is not that high. Here, they don't offer free land but you can buy a city lot for $3,500 to $5,000 with services available and the possibility of a job.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Originally Posted by forest beekeeper
I think that sometimes instead of getting a 'free' property, it would be much better to simply pay $30k for a 3bdrm house on 10 acres somewhere.
Yes, this is better ^^^ I looked into several in KS, WY, NE, ND and most had 'significant' strings attached.
Usually they want you to bring kids, LOTS of kids (to keep schools open) Bring $$ (some require $100,000 + expenditures in UPGRADES / new home... often in a town where other homes are selling for $30k) Bring jobs (some want you to bring industry / jobs)
There are often requirements to use local contractors (which are not competitive, especially having built several homes myself, which you are not allowed to do in most cases of free land) Be quick. You will have to be it finished / 'occupied' within a yr
Some of the towns are quite attractive as a new location, so worth looking into, JUST due your 'Due Diligence' (as usual).
We have some actually very cute older style houses in our little town that are priced as low as $5,000 sometimes; on streets I will not drive down even in broad daylight. I have it figured out that if there is a property priced really cheaply that is worth anything, a realtor/broker knows about it before it has even gone on the maket and bought it up. Location, location, location...
What town do you live in. Would you recommend it to someone looking to relocate to a small towm?
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