Online House Hunting

Land for sale for very long time. Why not lower the price?

5 acre field across the street from me has been up for more than a year. Listed, and I suspect, owned, by a small-town real estate. Originally slated as a small apartment complex, townspeople fought at townhall and plans were cancelled. Surrounded by cornfields and a few houses on about 3 acre/each. I had a nosy friend call when it first went up (after Apt plan was cancelled) and the real estate owner (an elderly woman) quoted an extremely high price for this rural area of upstate NY (about 16K per acre). I want to start an apple orchard and it would be nice to have it be across the street. I am afraid of offending this woman who seems to think all she has is extremely valuable (judging from listing prices of other things in town, her things never sell). She does not list through MLS. I think she owns what she lists. I have compared the lot to similar lots in this and neighboring towns, and I think a fair price would be closer to 5 or 6K per acre. Should I take a crap shoot and call her to ask about this land, and give her my "homework" on similar property without sounding too eager because this one is conveneint/close to me? What approach should I take? (Like, to convince her that it would be more profitable for her to sell it at a much lower price) More info: she has posted a large sign "Industrial Zoned" on it, and yet it is on a small rural road, and the closest "main" road has lots of vacant fields up for sale, why would anyone want commercial there when they can get more visibility? Plus i know the townspeople would fight a commercial or industrial application here. Should i just be honest and tell her I want a small farm? Should i tell her I am a local or would that make her think I was one of the "enemies" fighting the development a few years ago? (I signed a petition but did not fight at Town hall)

Public Comments

1. If it is industrial zoned then it is worth more. Obviously she doesn't need the money or she would have lowered the price after a year. Never hurts to call her & just be nice & friendly. Good luck!