News Desk

America’s Greatest Landowners?

Posted on July 30, 2008 by Land Report Editors

I always wanted to be a Cartwright. To me, Bonanza wasn’t just some paint-by-numbers Western. The villains weren’t Indians or desperados. They were politicians, bankers, and railroad types, all of whom were hankering to get their hands on a piece…

Tagged with: Ben Cartwright, Bonanza, Hoss, Little Joe
Posted in Feature, News Desk, Trey Garrison

Sweet Home Alabama

Posted on July 21, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

On the shores of Alabama’s largest lake, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks has found the perfect piece of property. Now all he needs is the time to enjoy it.

Tagged with: American Idol, Eric O'Keefe, Goose Pond Island, Lake Guntersville, Taylor Hicks
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, July 2008, Magazine, News Desk, Regional News, South

I’m Not a Big Fan of Catfish

Posted on July 18, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

But I’ve been meaning to reference this article that ran in The New York Times on July 18. It’s yet another example of the effects of the federal government’s mindless ethanol policy. Now, in addition to driving up basic food costs for…

Tagged with: corn ethanol, ethanol, land use policy
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, News Desk

Alabama Land Generates Solid Returns

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

That’s the conclusion one draws from a recent report titled Alabama Farm Real Estate: A Comparison of Returns and Values Since 1970, which was prepared by John Adrian and Walt Prevatt, professors and extension economists at Auburn University.

Tagged with: Alabama land values, Alabama real estate, Auburn University, John Adrian, Walt Prevatt
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature

Checklist: 1031 Exchange

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Land Report Editors

Review The Land Report’s checklist of key elements to a 1031 Exchange and learn about Exchange Requirements, Qualified Intermediaries, Proper Purpose, and Qualifying Properties.

Tagged with: 1031 exchange, deferring capital gains
Posted in Feature, News Desk

Man’s Best Friend, Land’s Best Friend

Posted on July 1, 2008 by Land Report Editors

So you need a real dog. Maybe the raccoons and squirrels are fattening up on your sweet corn and tomatoes or the coyotes are dining al fresco on your lambs. Could be that after an appetizer of the latest surefire…

Mexico Opposes Ethanol

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

As we’ve seen over the last few months, skyrocketing commodity prices are pushing land values to record levels. They are also squeezing cattlemen and other producers who rely on corn and other grains to fatten livestock and poultry. One of…

“The Land Market Has Never Been Stronger”

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

So says Mac Boyd, a broker at Farmers National in Arcola, Illinois. Boyd is just one of the many veteran real estate professionals who are closely monitoring the strongest farmland market in decades.

Tagged with: commodity prices, corn, Eric O'Keefe, ethanol, farmland, soybeans
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, Great Plains, Midwest, News Desk, West

Pinon Canyon: Uranium Contamination?

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

First, the Army set off a firestorm when it announced its intention to use eminent domain to condemn 400,000 acres of family farms and ranches in order to triple the size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Then lightning strikes…

Tagged with: eminent domain, Pinon Canyon, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site
Posted in Eric OKeefe, Feature, News Desk, Regional News, West

Florida to Pay $1.75 Billion for 187,000 Acres in the Everglades

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Eric OKeefe

In a massive deal announced earlier today, the State of Florida will acquire almost 300 square miles of the Everglades in and around the south end of Lake Okeechobee from U.S. Sugar Corp. for $1.75 billion ($9,000+ per acre).