Download Article
Download Article
"You can't get something for nothing" is an idiom for a reason. You can get free land in the United States, but it usually comes with a caveat, such as you must build on the land. Nonetheless, several small towns and communities will provide you with the opportunity to apply for free land.
Steps
-
Understand where you'll find free land. Most of the time, free land is offered by small towns or farming communities. Usually, the goal is to draw in business or increase population. The best places to find free land are in states with low population densities. [1] X Research source- Try searching for "Homestead Act of 2010" or "Free Land in United States" online.
-
Know what you'll be asked to do. Most land is technically free. That is, you get it for free but you must do something in return. For instance, you may be required to build a home on the property (though some places allow mobile homes) or create a certain number of jobs in an area. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Don't be fooled by offers of free land from the federal government. The federal government got rid of homesteading 1976, meaning it doesn't offer free land for development anymore. If you see advertisements for free land from the federal government, it's not legitimate. Instead, you'll be looking for land offered by the town itself. -
Visit the appropriate website. Most communities that offer free land have websites about the program, which you can find through search engines. They use those websites to provide information on the land they offer, plus many have the application forms online. If you want to see the land yourself, you'll find contact information for the program, along with the appropriate people to show you the land.- To find these websites, try searching for "free land in [your state]". For example, Marquette, Kansas has a website dedicated to their free land offers. This website offers information about applying, conditions for getting the free land, and contact information in case you have questions.
Advertisement
-
Fill out the application. Often, you will need to fill out an application to receive free land. You'll need to provide some basic biographical information, such as who will be living on the land and where you're living now. You also need to provide information on what you plan to do with the land. The cities offering this benefit want to make sure you will fulfill the requirements they set out. Otherwise, they may reject your application. [3] X Research source -
Meet the requirements of the transfer. To get the land, you will have to submit a housing plan and prove you have the financial means to build. With some communities, you'll need to submit a blueprint for approval. Basically, they want to see you have a plan for your house or business, and that you have the money to do it. [4] X Research source- In some locations, you may only be asked to provide a blueprint.
- To prove you have the financial means to build, you don't need to have the cash in your bank account. If you are pre-approved for a loan, that may be enough. [5] X Research source
-
Sign the agreement. Most of the time you will be required to take certain actions or forfeit the land. For instance, in Marquette, Kansas, you must build a house within a year. To do so, you must sign with a contractor within four months and start building within six months.- Be aware that you may forfeit the free land if you don't meet conditions, even after the land has been transferred to you.
-
Make a deposit. Most cities require that you put down a deposit. Usually, it's not very much. For instance, in Lincoln, Kansas, it's $0.08 per square foot. [6] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Follow the deadlines. To keep your land, you must fulfill your side of the agreement. Pay attention to the fine print and meet the required conditions.- That doesn't absolutely mean you'll be kicked off your land if you don't get your house built in time. If you've made an honest effort to do so, the city or town may grant you an extension.
-
Provide what you say you'll provide. If you're building a business, you must do more than build. For instance, in Muskegon, Michigan, you can get free land in industrial areas. However, you must provide a certain number of jobs. For 5 acres of land, you must create 25 jobs; for 30 acres of land, you must create 100 jobs. [7] X Research source -
Understand where you'll pay. Some towns offer these sites fully developed, with things like water, sewage, and electricity already hooked up. However, some of them require you to have an assessment first, which can be thousands of dollars. For instance, in New Richland, Minnesota, the assessment will cost you $25,000. [8] X Research source -
Expect to live on housing sites. These communities want you to make the plot your permanent home. Therefore, most have a residency requirement. Some only require that you live there a year full-time, while others want you to make it a permanent residence.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
References
- ↑ http://www.theplaidzebra.com/here-are-some-places-where-you-can-get-land-for-free/
- ↑ http://www.theplaidzebra.com/here-are-some-places-where-you-can-get-land-for-free/
- ↑ http://www.lincolnks.org/City_of_Lincoln_Lot_Program_Information_Packet.pdf
- ↑ http://www.cnbc.com/2010/11/16/7-Towns-Where-Land-is-Free.html?slide=2
- ↑ http://www.lincolnks.org/City_of_Lincoln_Lot_Program_Information_Packet.pdf
- ↑ http://www.lincolnks.org/City_of_Lincoln_Lot_Program_Information_Packet.pdf
- ↑ http://www.theplaidzebra.com/here-are-some-places-where-you-can-get-land-for-free/
- ↑ http://www.cnbc.com/2010/11/16/7-Towns-Where-Land-is-Free.html?slide=3
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 269,889 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Very informative and literal. Most of the readers who are still asking question after question, obviously didn't take the time to actually read this article. No offense to those who asked questions." ..." more
Advertisement
85%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"Very informative and literal. Most of the readers who are still asking question after question, obviously didn't take the time to actually read this article. No offense to those who asked questions."
..."
more
"I'm trying to teach my children to help the save the earth. I want to move and find free land if possible and plant trees for future sale. I want to go green and be organic! Thank you. "
..."
more
"I'm so excited/nervous to start my homestead, especially by my myself, but this article made it miles easier to put a solid plan into action! Thank you so, so, so much!"
..."
more
"This is awesome! We've been wanting to get our homestead started for a long time now and this article helps so much! Thanks for all the good info!"
..."
more
"It helped me as far as the financial requirements, which many other sites about 'free land' neglected to even mention."
..."
more
