• There is an old timberman saying, "In hard times, land returns to its rightful owners."
  
• Land investors tend to be careful people who love their investments.
  

The old European families who carried their wealth through generations managed their timber land well.  A cultivated forest is positive interaction between the landowner and his environment and generates renewing wealth.

Beavers - These rodents can be very destructive to both timber and land. When buying or selling land, it is important to dispose of these critters ASAP.

Boundary Lines - Surveyors do not always mark the property lines they are surveying unless specifically requested. Once the lines are located, they should be maintained by painting them once every 8-10 years. By keeping your boundaries clearly marked, you will avoid, timber trespass, other trespassers, illegal hunting, additional surveying in future years and other potential problems such as adverse possession or land claims.
Yes, it should give you a sense of security.

Hunting - If you do not live on your land, you might think about leasing the hunting rights to a local hunt club. There continues to be a high demand for lands to hunt. The hunters can watch for insects that might kill pine trees, trespassers or problems with beavers. Besides these benefits, the lease income should more than pay the taxes on your land.

County Property Taxes - If you own more than 20 acres of timber land and have a forest management plan you should be eligible for greatly reduced county taxes. This is a state wide law called "Land Use Tax". The intention is to tax the land based on it's current use (forest, agriculture or horticulture), not it's highest and best use like residential use, commercial use or industrial use. By the way, there is a consulting forestry firm that writes plans for forest lands called, Bernard & Dryman Consulting Forestry, Inc. (336- 364-9203).

Fire Wood Cutting Tips - Approximately 60,000 folks a year are injured cuuting wood.
Never cut alone
Never cut in high winds
Never cut when you are tired
Never stand behind a falling tree or a hung tree
Never point a saw where you are not looking (someone could be behind you)
Never fell a tree without planning an escape route
Never cut near a power line

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION FOR LAND FOLKS  

• CONGRESS HAS EXTENDED THE TAX INCENTIVES FOR CONSERVATION AGREEMENT (EASEMENT) DONATIONS UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2009.
• THIS LAW ALLOWS A LANDOWNER TO TAKE A TAX DEDUCTION OF UP TO 50% OF THEIR ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME FOR DONATING A CONSERVATION AGREEMENT .
• QUALIFIED FARMERS AND RANCHERS CAN DEDUCT UP TO 100% OF THEIR ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME.
• THE NUMBER OF YEARS OVER WHICH A CONSERVATION EASEMENT DONOR CAN TAKE DEDUCTIONS IS 16 YEARS.
• TO FIND YOUR LOCAL LAND TRUST, GO TO www.ctnc.org/ltmap.htm   
  
  Fed Stands Still – Time to Make Your Move  August 5, 2008
  
  The Federal Reserve held the line on Tuesday–leaving the Fed Funds Rate at 2.00% for the third straight meeting. The decision, however, was anything but cut-and-dry.
  Earlier in the week, the Personal Consumption Expenditure data indicated that inflation climbed 0.8% overall in June, which is the highest inflation jump in 27 years. In addition, the report indicated that inflation now sits at 2.3%–above the Fed's desired range of 1-2%.
  Although the Fed ultimately left interest rates unchanged, inflation obviously remains a concern and the recent rise may lead to an interest rate hike by the Fed in the near future.
  What Does This Mean to You?
  Many experts believe the housing market is nearing the bottom and may even be set to bounce back up. For now, home prices remain low, personal incomes are high, and interest rates are still very attractive.
  If you've been weighing your options and waiting to see how things shake out, this is the ideal time to act–especially when you consider the new Housing and Economic Recovery Act benefits for home buyers:
  Tax credits. First-time home buyers who purchase their primary residence between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009 are eligible for up to $7,500 in tax credit, as long as they haven't owned a home in the last three years. The credit is actually a generous interest-free loan, so we'll have to talk about some income parameters and payback terms. But if you're a new home buyer – or know someone who is renting or in the market to buy – this is a huge benefit that we should discuss.
  Lower rates for larger loans. In the past, mortgages of $417,000 or more have been considered "jumbo" loans that were more expensive to finance. Thanks to recent provisions, however, those jumbo loans were able to qualify for better financing rates in some parts of the country. Although those provisions were set to expire, they are being extended–with a minor change to the maximum amount eligible. This is great news that may save you a ton of cash, so call me to find out how this impacts our area, and if it could help you.
  Down Payment Assistance...going, going, not gone yet. Another provision of the legislation eliminates some down payment assistance programs later this year...but they are still available right now, and depending on your circumstances, we may be able to take advantage of them to double your benefit as a home buyer.
  Bottom line...now may be the ideal time to put together a purchase strategy based on your unique situation.