Land Value Trends

The first module in this course discusses trends in land values over the past 40 years. Trends in land values are a very telling sign of where future prices may lead. Links to different group surveys are included to see what the current year's land values are doing. A summary of what is in the Iowa State University Land Value Survey includes who is buying land, future projections, and other considerations to take into account when considering a fair land price.

Using Soils Information

Learn how soil types affect the quality and price of land. You will get an overview of soil maps, topography, different types of erosion, drainage, and climate. Links to extension services and other outside websites are included. These links give state data and other information that can be useful for applying soil information to your area.

Another topic covered is the corn suitability rating, a measurement that can be used to indicate the quality of land. This module explains what the CSR is, how to find it for your area, and what you gain from it that you don't get from yield information. The soil productivity approach to yields is also covered in this lesson using historical yield data in Iowa.

Appraisal Techniques

In this module you will get an overview of the appraisal process. Learn the different approaches to appraising depending on the type of value considered. You will be able to compare the differences to see which approach would be more useful for the needed purpose. Focus is put on the CSR and the proper way to use it as a measurement of productivity. You will also be able to get a list of assessors for your county and the state of Iowa.

Financing Considerations

This lesson examines one of the more fundamental issues in the land purchase decision: financing. How land is financed can make the difference between whether or not a purchase can be made or not.

Module 4 considers different aspects of financing including interest rate, length of financing period, different sources, and types of financing. It also looks at the different repayment options. A spreadsheet is available so you can compare different repayment schedules to see which would save your business more.

Feasibility of Land Purchase

The final lesson in this course uses the information presented up to this point and shows you how to apply it when considering a land purchase. You will learn how to use income and cost assumptions to decide whether a purchase would be feasible for your operation.

Worksheets are given for you to fill out with information from your farming operation. These can then be used to decide when the right time to buy land is for you and your family.

Course Registration and More Information

If you are interested in registering for this course, the on-line form is available here.

The course fee is $65.00.