The pros and cons of investing in land, and whether it beats a house

The pros and cons of investing in land make more sense side by side, because almost every advantage has a cost. We go through them with a real case: the lots in Cherokee Village, about 1,000 m² each, at USD 15,000. For a full guide to the purchase, see how to buy land in the USA.

Entry cost is the most visible difference. According to the National Association of Realtors, the typical foreign buyer of a US home paid USD 465,000 between April 2025 and March 2026. A lot costs a fraction of that, and you can pay USD 3,000 down and 24 payments of USD 500.

Upkeep is minimal too. In Arkansas, property tax is assessed on 20% of market value, which for a lot like these comes to about USD 20 a year, paid by the seller until transfer. There is no roof to fix and no tenant to manage from abroad.

And the property is yours on record: the deed is recorded in Fulton County, as described in what's included in the purchase.

Liquidity is the biggest drawback. The Cooperative Extension personal finance course puts it bluntly: real estate is not a liquid investment, and finding the right buyer at the right price can take a long time. The table pairs each drawback with what you can do about it.

For context, the annual USDA land values report puts Arkansas farm real estate at USD 4,350 per acre in 2026, up 2.4% from 2025. That is cropland and pasture, not residential lots, so treat it as background, not a forecast.

That is why we never promise appreciation. What you can check is what you buy today: location, size and status of every lot on the map of the lots.

The table compares both options on what matters most to a buyer abroad.

If you want to build later, you can: in Cherokee Village a home must be at least 120 m², prefabricated homes are allowed and mobile homes are not. Meanwhile the lot can stay unbuilt for as long as you like. More in the FAQ.

The cash figure is also from NAR: 48% of foreign buyers paid without a loan. Getting a US mortgage is hard if you live abroad, which is why our payment plans are direct with the seller, with no banks.

Whether you buy from us or anyone else, confirm five things before you pay. First, that the lot exists and is recorded in the county: each of our lots has its parcel number, and you can see one in detail on the page for lot 315-18053-000.

Second, access and utilities: our lots have water, power and a road at the street. Third, the community's building rules. Fourth, yearly costs. Fifth, who is selling and how the process works, summarized in how to buy.

If you are from Chile, Argentina or Brazil, there are no special restrictions on you. The Arkansas law on foreign ownership covers citizens of a list of countries that does not include ours, and only farmland outside city limits. Cherokee Village is an incorporated city. We explain it in detail in what changed in October 2026.

While you are paying instalments, the promise of sale can be assigned to someone else. Once you hold the deed, you can sell the lot like any US owner.

When a foreign owner sells, the buyer generally withholds 15% of the price toward taxes (FIRPTA). That amount is credited against the actual tax when you file, and filing requires a tax number: see when you need an ITIN. If you are thinking about your family, also read what happens to the lot in an inheritance.

Someone who wants a dollar asset outside their country, in their own name, and will not need that money for years. And someone who may build one day in a community with lakes and golf. Not someone looking for income, liquidity or a quick gain.

It is not a route to residency either: buying land does not give you a visa, as we explain in does property give you residency?. If it still makes sense after reading this, see the available lots or book a video call and we will walk you through the documents.