Buyers of Farm Real Estate in Selected Areas of Nebraska

The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the characteristics of the buyers of farm land in Nebraska, (2) the reasons for buying, (3) the characteristics of land being purchased, (4) the process of selection, valuation and bargaining used in determining the price paid, and (5) the financial arrangements used. For the purpose of this analysis information was obtained concerning the value of farm real estate in five areas in Nebraska and with the factors affecting these values.More specifically, the study was concerned with the conditions and circumstances surrounding the type of land sold and the characteristics and circumstances of persons involved in farm real estate transfers. The five areas selected for this study were dispersed throughout Nebraska.The Box Butte-Sheridan area is located in northwestern Nebraska and was selected in order to analyze the farm real estate market in a wheat-range-livestock area.The Greeley-Valley area is located in the west loess hills and canyons of central Nebraska in an area of transition from the cornbelt type of farming to that of the Great Plains.The York area is located in the south central part of eastern Nebraska in the center of the loess plains and was selected to study the effects of new irrigation developments on the land market.The Cuming-Wayne area was selected to study the land market in the loess hills of northeastern Nebraska.The Otoe area is located in the drift loess hills of southeastern Nebraska and was selected to study the land market in this region. Advisor: Loyd K. Fische