Land Investment in UK - Why Land?

In the past, land for sale was only made available to a closed circle of potential investors. The level of land investment opportunities has increased enormously and this goes hand-in-hand with the emergence of a new style of land agent who understands customers' needs and how to accommodate this growing demand for land investment.

So why is land investment such a good idea? One basic principle: Supply and Demand. Naturally the supply of land for sale is limited but the demand for it continues to rise and land prices in the UK have seen unprecedented growth.

The Royal Institute of Surveyors recently reported that the price of rural land for sale in the UK had risen by 30% in 2004 and in a survey by Halifax it was reported that residential land prices have risen 8 fold over the past two decades. By way of comparison the average UK house price has risen by 3 fold in the same period.

One of the big appeals of land investment is that you don't need a degree in economics to understand why its value has gone up or down. It's also a matter of perception: everybody likes to get something for their money and, unlike investments that only exist on paper, land is something you can physically experience and put to use. The tangible nature of a land investment can be very rewarding, not to mention prestigious.

The last ten years have seen significant lifestyle changes in the UK and both working hours and stress levels are on the rise. In modern life an all new value is placed upon quality leisure time because if its scarcity. This lifestyle shift has created even more demand for land investment as city-dwellers hunt for idyllic country retreats such as barn conversions or land for sale for relaxation and leisure pursuits. With planning laws governing barn conversion soon to be tightened and demand for land ever on the up, the value of rural land is set to soar.

The UK is facing a massive housing shortage and that's why residential land for sale with or without planning permission is increasing in value and becoming a popular investment option. With local authorities having to meet increasingly tough housing targets, it is likely that development of greenbelt land will be a necessity and those who own land in these areas know just how lucrative that could be.