If You Invested In Land, What Could You Do With It?

Posted on 3/28/2026, 11:51:33 AM

It’s rare for a property developer to buy a piece of land without having a plan for it. If you want to make a smart investment, after all, you need to know what you could potentially get out of the investment you make. Otherwise it’ll just be a big waste of money. 

However, when you’re a newbie real estate investor just looking for a good deal, land purchases are more likely to be a snap decision. Because land grows in value over time, and very few factors tend to offset this. That’s real estate investing 101: the property on top is just the bonus. 

So when you have the chance to grab a piece of undeveloped site, you’re probably going to jump at the opportunity. And once you’ve got it on your portfolio, there seems like a lot of different things you could do with it. 

However, we need to weigh up the reality here. Buying land can be quite a good choice for your portfolio. But depending on what you think you could do with it, you may need to change your plans, scrap them entirely, and even get a new lawyer on hand. 

So let’s go over the ins and outs of buying land and making a profit off of it. What do you need to know right now in order to make your investment work out? 

Get to Know the Zoning Laws

Any land you could purchase is going to be zoned before you buy it. As such, you need to know what zoning use it falls into, as you’re unlikely to be able to make any decisions outside of this. 

In the US, zoning tends to be split up like this:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Mixed-use
• Industrial

Can zoning ever change? 

Yes! Within the different zoning types listed above, you may also sometimes run into something called a variance. This is where the local authority has allowed a plot of land to be used for something outside of its specific zoning.

However, these are granted on a case by case basis - and only when they’re not going to be harmful to anyone living and/or working in the same area. Depending on what plans you’ve got for your land, and whether or not the current zoning would allow them, you can apply for a variance. 

You can also petition to get the zoning of the land changed entirely, but this is another legal process. 

You’re going to need a zoning specialist to carry the case for you, and the time and money involved might not be what you ever wanted from making your investment decision in the first place.

Is there anything else zoning does?

Again, yes. Zoning isn’t just about what type of land a certain plot is. It also places rules on what can be included in the developments that are built there. 

You’ll need to read up on these details in full, as they dictate a lot of different things that you may never have even thought about. 

For example, if you wanted to build an apartment complex on the land, zoning laws would likely restrict how many units there could be, how many rooms within those units, and even just how tall the complex could be. 

Once You Know the Law, You Can Finalize Your Plans

At the very least, you get the start of a roadmap. Either you know you’re clear to go ahead and start developing, or you’ll find out that there will be some legal roadworks holding things up. 

All in all, this is where you can finalize your plans as is, and start to steer yourself in the right direction. 

And whether you’ve got some applications to make or you simply want to find a tenant ASAP, this is the first point at which you can safely get to work. 

What Can You Use Your Land For?

Primarily, it’s up to you. 

Whether you want to construct a new office complex for businesses in the area, or you fancy erecting a fulfilment warehouse with units to rent, or you want to build a new family friendly neighborhood complete with a playpark, the only limits will be these things: 

1. Zoning laws
2. Your budget
3. The level of risk you’re comfortable with
4. How creatively you’re willing to think

As a newbie land owner, the latter is probably something you’ve got in spades. You see a lot of potential in the land in front of you, and you’re more than willing to try out a few different ways to get your investment paying you back. 

And aside from the few usage ideas we’ve just mentioned, there’s quite a few other ideas you can explore here too:

Renewable energy

If an energy company is looking for space to place solar panels or a wind farm, you could have the solution they’re after. 

Make sure you work with a lawyer qualified in drafting up Renewable Energy Agreements before you take on any energy company as a tenant. 

You want to be sure your land is protected and that you’ve gotten a fair valuation for the energy processing you’re hosting. 

Sports and entertainment 

This could be an opportunity for you to both make money off of your investment and create a new business for yourself too. 

Indeed, if your land is capable of hosting activities like hunting and shooting, or biking, racing, or rock climbing, you could open up a course or entertainment center. 

Agriculture

And not just traditional farming, both with and without animals. You could open up the land to wineries and vineyards, or rare breeds and working animal sanctuaries. 

What Should You Do with Your Land Investment?

In truth, this decision is all about zoning, location, and budget. 

Make sure you’re aware of the relevant laws and building restrictions, research the market to see what’s in demand, and think outside of the box whenever you want to. 

Alternatively, simply hold onto the land and see who comes knocking for it.