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4 rural land values shift to more stable levels following recent historic highs, demand remains strong. Buyers continue to recognize the intrinsic benefits of owning land as both a financial and lifestyle investment, as well as several advantages that real estate offers compared to traditional financial investments. One of the most tangible benefits is that landowners can see their investment appreciate in value over time and enjoy using it, whether for outdoor recreation, such as hunting, fishing, and camping, or simply having a place to get away to create memories with family and friends. "Instead of an account balance you can look at on a computer screen, land is an asset you can actually physically enjoy using," says Aaron Ablondi, a Texas Land Specialist with Whitetail Properties Real Estate, which specializes in buying and selling farms, recreational and other rural properties. "When you have a property, you can enjoy it while you own it and make memories for life," says Dan AND WEALTH WITH LAND INVESTMENTS Perez, a founding partner of Whitetail Properties. "And that's priceless. You can't have that kind of personal relationship with a paper investment." From a purely financial perspective, owning land is less susceptible to market volatility than traditional investments, as demonstrated by the notable stock market decline in 2022 driven by inflation, interest rate hikes, and fears of recession. In contrast, Ronnie Strong, Whitetail Properties' chief operating officer, notes that land prices have steadily appreciated over time. "Day-to-day fluctuations in the market don't change how you can use and enjoy the land every day," he says. "The lower volatility and long-term appreciation of land can provide greater comfort from a psychological standpoint and avoid a common motivation with financial investments to sell when there is a downturn in the market." Ablondi adds that land values tend to hold fairly steady even in a perceived market downturn. "You don't typically see big swings in value, so if you had to BUILD MEMORIES AS