Q: I was going to buy land and build a little place, but land prices are just too high here!

I can’t believe how much people are asking. I’m also shocked at how much it costs to dig a well, do the septic, clear the land for a house, and all of that stuff. Where is land cheaper? I commute to Seattle so I can’t get too far away.

A: Alas, your problem is that you want to be in commuting distance to Seattle. That's one of the major reasons that land seems to be priced high here and around the Puget Sound region. Many people who work in and around the Seattle area want to live in the country and have some privacy. They also want horses, large gardens, and fresh air. Demand pushes prices.

I checked on prices for 2 to 5 acres of undeveloped land in the eastern, more rural, section of King County. That would include Issaquah, Snoqualmie, North Bend, Tiger Mountain, and even some parts of Kent. The prices averaged from $280,000 for 2.6 acres to over $500,000 for five acres, which is higher than our prices. The lowest I found was $179,000 for two acres in Kent.

Looking at Kitsap County to our west, among those communities that are most commutable, I found land a little cheaper. Two to 2.5 acres in Silverdale goes for $154,000 and in Port Orchard for just over $200,000. Olalla seemed to have the lowest prices. You could find 2.5 acres there for as low as $140,000. Southworth had one five acre parcel for $189,000.

Our prices are very competitive with these other areas. As an example we currently have a 2.2 acre parcel listed for $175,000 and a few 4.5 to 5 acre parcels for $244,000 to $265,000. Some properties even have some improvements already done.

If you want cheap land, you have to move to a less popular and more distant place. Otherwise it may be best to buy an existing home. There are eight homes on the market here that are on acreage and are under $400,000. I don't believe you could buy land and build a home for that price.