Me and my son were looking at some land for him this week. I got to thinking about all the deals I could have made in my youth, but decided they were too much.
When me and my wife got married in 2001, we looked into building a home a few years after we got married. Now this was no custom job, but it was new, and decent sized. I think it was 1800 sq ft. I want to say it was around $120,000. For a brand new home. 3 BR, 2 Ba. The land was extra. $10k for a 1 acre plot. To put things into perspective our combined income at the time was around $80,000. The upgraded home, about 2400 sq ft, about 160k, I think.
1999. My father in law made an offer on 40 acres just outside of town. $80,000. He had the deal made, but got cold feet after he learned about an electric easement in the front. Land now goes for 20k an acre here, minimum. Maybe $40-60k per acre.
In 2000, my last year of college, my old 1988 truck was done. Bought a brand new Chevy truck. Silverado, single cab. V6, 4x4. Base trim, manual roll up window, no cruise control. Drive out for $18,600. No trades.
10-12 years ago. 10 acres across the street from my parents, for sale by owner. Called the number. They wanted $60k. I said no way, way too much. Same land now would be $300k or more.