Beginner’s Guide to Mineral Rights — Part 3— Locating Properties
Resources for your Journey
Resources for your Journey
Online platforms and databases exist that speed up the process of finding opportunities, investigating them, and acting on them.
Websites such as LandGate, and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) offer a storehouse of information on active mineral rights listings, property ownership, geological / statistical data, and historical production/commercial data.
Websites like MineralRightsForum offer a community to exchange information and ideas, as well as to network with other mineral rights investors and lots of experienced people in the field.
These websites can assist investors in identifying promising opportunities and gathering critical data to inform their investment decisions.
LandGate
LandGate | Property Values
LandGate is a data-based marketplace for listing land for sale or for lease. Get a free property report to understand…www.landgate.com
LandGate’s App works much like Redfin or Zillow, but it locates mineral opportunities.
Free real estate and energy reports regarding properties are available to individuals, organizations, and governmental bodies, from many sources such as the US Geological Survey.
Property owners can use this data to offer their properties on LandGate’s marketplace at no cost.
With LandGate’s platform and app, real estate agents and advisory firms can easily broaden their value proposition to property owners and increase their exposure to a wider range of commission opportunities. Consequently, investors and developers can access exclusive CRE and energy leads generated by LandGate’s platform.
LandGate’s precise and thorough data is valued by lenders, insurers, developers, and advisers.
The free account is useful to test, but if you are serious, you likely need to the LandApp, which is $10/mo.
Once you locate a property that you are interested in, you can set up a viewing or contact the owners.
Evaluating the property’s mineral potential, ownership status, past legal history, and any possible risks or obligations related to the investment are all part of the due diligence process, and while LandGate is super convenient, you may need more info.
And, because the legal territory can be slightly different in each state, you will need to consult a knowledgeable mineral rights attorney as you approach readiness to make an investment.
US Geological Survey
USGS.gov | Science for a changing world
We provide science about the natural hazards that threaten lives and livelihoods; the water, energy, minerals, and…www.usgs.gov
Even though you get a lot of information from LandApp, sometimes you need a little more — and USGS is one of the most comprehensive places to get information beyond the real estate / mineral data.
Information such as :
This is one thing that sometimes slips past the attention of a new investor seeking mineral rights.
If you find an opportunity for a low cost, but there seems to be no demand — and you find yourself wondering why this amazing deal is just sitting there for months unclaimed — check the local data.
Flood history, natural disasters, etc.
No one wants a mineral rich land that is prone to disasters….without proper preparation.
(It is TOTALLY possible to still profit on land that is prone to disaster, but you have to be PREPARED for it, and account for that in your operational logistics and plans, and find contractors willing or specialized to work in those conditions)
Most people want to avoid that, because it obviously introduces a wild card to your profit potential.
Sometimes extraction activity can lead to some of these phenomena, such as small earthquakes from fracking related impact to the land, etc.
All of this should be documented and available for the investor to read via USGS.
Mineral Rights Forum
Mineral Rights Forum
America's conversation place for mineral owners!www.mineralrightsforum.com
This is a forum for mineral owners and those interested in becoming mineral owners in the United States.
Founded in2009, mineral owners have been learning more and more about their properties online through interaction with each other.
Mineral owners have typically been fragmented and disorganized. Owners of minerals may now get together to exchange ideas and information with other owners and listen to industry experts.
While reading is permitted without registration, signing up allows you to ask questions, reply to comments, and build reputation and history with the forum.
As with any public gathering spot, proceed with caution and common sense. Etiquette is important.
They do not allow solicitation of any type of business within forum discussions, nor do they look kindly on luring others into private contact when you first start — you can get booted from the site.
You may find people you wish to work with, but trying to head hunt for prospects is just a dick move. Take your time, speak to people, learn who is who, and treat everyone like they are a human, not a resource.
Step By Step Research Example:
Step 1:
Launch your web browser and go to the LandGate website (https://www.landgate.com) and the USGS (United States Geological Survey) website (https://www.usgs.gov). Keep both tabs open, or make two windows.
Step 2:
Open LandGate - Create an account and Sign in. You will gain access to all features of the service.
Step 3:
Use the LandGate website’s search. .Narrow down your search criteria. Location, the type of material, geological info, and any particular requirements pertaining to your investment objectives.
Step 4:
Make careful notes and compile all pertinent data for every possible opportunity you find on LandGate. This could contain information about the property, the ownership status, geological studies, and any other information that can support your assessment.
Step 6:
Go to USGS.gov
Look for “Mineral Commodities” and related sections on the USGS homepage. Access to a variety of data and resources pertaining to minerals is offered via this section.
Mineral Commodities
Mineral commodities are minerals — or materials derived from minerals — that are bought and sold, such as gold or rare…www.usgs.gov
Mineral Resources Program
The USGS Mineral Resources Program (MRP) delivers unbiased science and information to increase understanding of ore…www.usgs.gov
National Minerals Information Center
Skip to main content Official websites use .gov A.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the…www.usgs.gov
Step 7:
To locate geological information about your target location or mineral of interest, utilize the search tool or peruse the various reports and maps.
Make careful to record pertinent facts, including mineral occurrence, past production figures, and geological features and instances of natural disasters. You may need these later.
Step 8:
Evaluate and compare your options. Examine the data from LandGate postings and the USGS website to see how feasible each possible possibility is.
Take into account elements including ownership status, production history, mineral potential, and any risks or responsibilities related to those aspects.
Step 9:
If you are completely inexperienced, this is where the forum may really help. Talk to people. Share information. Get feedback. Come at this like a total nube and get help.
Naturally some will be worried that prospective properties that they are finding might end up as lost opportunities if you share all the info on the forum, and someone else in the forum acts on it before you do.
This is unlikely, but it can happen.
More than likely, the first searches and properties you find that interest you will not be the properties you act on. And you should let go of worrying about it.
Don’t rush into this.
The entire process of talking to others and getting feedback and responses, will prove worth your time as it will help you to get a better idea of HOW others are thinking, how they evaluate opportunity, etc.
Even if someone does swoop in and take the opportunity you wanted, I would advise communicating and congratulating them, and continuing the dialogue with them — you might learn a lot in the process.
Step 10:
The last step — leads to the lawyer-up phase. Seeking guidance from mineral rights attorneys is crucial before finalizing any mineral rights investment.
Thank you for reading!
Until next time….
Onward and Upward Everybody!
-Chris
Automated Income Lifesyle w/ Chris Morton YouTube
#mineralrights #landownership #passiveincome #minerals #extraction #mining