Buying Land in Upstate New York

Far from the congestion and bright lights of Manhattan is Upstate New York. Upstate New York is filled with large swathes of untouched land, deep forests, and large mountains. The vast majority of New York’s population lives in the New York Metro area, but that land is only a small percentage of the state. That means most of New York is open and not densely populated. This makes it a great area for those looking to purchase land.

Upstate New York is ripe with opportunities for those hungry to purchase land parcels. It is a cheap real estate market, for starters, and land values aren’t as high as they are in many other states. New York is also a major agricultural producer, meaning many of the properties you’ll find for sale can be monetized. It is an area with many unexplored options that buyers can take advantage of.

Let’s break down some things to know about buying land in Upstate New York.

Why Buy Land in Upstate New York?

Unlike New York City, Upstate New York is not a particularly crowded region of the United States. If it were its own state, it wouldn’t rate top 15 in the country for population density. It is not underdeveloped, with large metro areas like Rochester and Buffalo scattered throughout, but, generally speaking, the region’s land price is very moderate.

Buyers will not only have the ability to let their land appreciate over time without the need for any investment, but they will also have the opportunity to monetize it. Agriculture is a major Upstate New York industry. New York state has 35,000 farms, generates $3.6 billion in agricultural revenue, and has 7.8 million acres of farmland. It is a leading producer of apples, wine, grapes, and milk. This means that the land in Upstate New York has value.

Land prices in New York tend to be mostly affordable. According to LandWatchers, the average cost of land parcels for sale in the state is $691,983. That is significantly lower than most states. In fact, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, land value in New York state is more affordable per acre than every other state in the northeast except for Maine.

This is because there is an abundance of acreage available in Upstate New York. Numerous parcels of land for sale offer a huge amount of space, and buyers can either turn them into a moneymaker or hold onto the investment and watch it appreciate. The same USDA report showed that the value of an acre of land in New York appreciated 3.8% from 2020-21 alone.

The land in New York is slightly more affordable than the US average, but continues to grow in value every year. It has significant potential for farmland, wine production, and more, but can also be kept as a hands-off, appreciating investment.

Intriguing Areas to Purchase Land

Several areas across Upstate New York offer a prime investment opportunity. LandWatchers lists numerous parcels of land ranging from 0-10 acres to 500+ acres. Several of these properties offer unique value to purchasers. There is a 740-acre parcel of land for sale that has operated as a hunting lodge located in Madison County. Madison County is famed for its deep green forests and abundant wildlife.

There is also a parcel of 903-acres of farmland available in Jefferson County. Jefferson County is one of the biggest counties in the state and is filled with farmland areas. This property is an example of the type of large, farm-ready operations found within the region.

Primarily, the large land parcels that can be purchased in Upstate New York are forests and farmland. There are many different options in counties ranging from Franklin to Montgomery. Depending on your preferences, you can find areas great for farming, forestry, wine production, and a wide range of other options. There will be a lot of customization and development opportunities.

Upstate New York is a beautiful region filled with forests and mountains. There is an abundance of purchasing opportunities for land, and the value continues to appreciate year after year. It is a sound investment with great opportunity for customization.