Profit from Recreational Property?

[roryfletcher]

One approach I’ve seen work in Europe, particularly on the French Riviera, is turning properties into lifestyle destinations that combine recreation with short-term rentals. For example, some owners in Provence or along the Cote d’Azur will maintain small ponds, hunting areas, or vineyards and rent out cottages or lodges seasonally. The combination of passive rental income plus occasional agricultural or hunting leases can make the property closer to self-sustaining. If you want to learn more about structuring properties like this, Living On The Cote d'Azur shares some insights on turning recreational land into profitable lifestyle investments.

 

[PCC600]

Obviously depends on the property and location. We bought 1100 acres of pasture and 190 acres of irrigated crop fields in an area I hunt mule deer several years ago because I didn’t want one of the other neighbors to buy it and close it off to our hunting. I worked out a deal with another neighbor to lease the pastures for grazing and the irrigated fields for corn and alfalfa. I gave him a break on the leasing price in exchange for hunting rights on his owned 5000+ acres. Last year, we sold our land to him for a decent profit but retained the hunting rights through a 20 year easement. Everyone is happy because he doesn’t hunt. I will use this model again!

I did something similar in Tasmania . Bought a 10,000 acre grazing property with a 2750 acre forestry operation . My local partner wanted the land for highland ( summer ) grazing and I wanted the use of the 180 year old homestead and the shooting and fishing rights ( 17 kilometres of lake frontage ) . We were in this together for nearly 20 years and I never put a penny in - other than a substantial stake for my share . Got a dividend as timber was harvested and owned the best shooting and trout fishing in Australia . A handsome profit when I exited . And we are still friends . I think this is a very rare example .

 

[Bandera]

We make about 35k a year on our property.
106 acres with about a 22 acre shooting range on it.
We bought the range and surrounding property. It was an established range, so the income was there, just not documented.
The range is not a public range, it is a competition range. We lease the areas to different shooting clubs.
We also have 50 RV spots.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Now is not the time to buy land. Unless it’s a piece you have waited on to come up for sale.

Wait for the next big economic slump. 2008 and 2020 type slumps. When you think it’s at the bottom and you’re nervous to buy anything.

That is the perfect time to buy.