Land Leasing vs. Land Buying in Johnston County, North Carolina: What Acreage Buyers, Small Developers, Farmers & Newcomers Should Know
Land Leasing vs. Land Buying in Johnston County, North Carolina: What Acreage Buyers, Small Developers, Farmers & Newcomers Should Know
Picture three very different prospects:
A family seeking 3–10 acres near Archer Lodge, North Carolina so they can build a custom home, keep a few horses and still be within easy reach of Clayton, North Carolina’s schools and amenities.
A grower who wants to lease cropland near Four Oaks, North Carolina to add more sweet potatoes or soybeans this season — not ready to buy outright yet.
A solar developer scouting 20+ acres east of Selma, North Carolina for their next project, evaluating whether to secure a long-term lease or purchase the land outright.
Each has different goals — but they share a key question: should they lease land in Johnston County, NC, or buy it? And what makes one choice smarter than the other in the many sub-markets of Johnston County?
If you’re moving to Johnston County, NC, or already looking at vacant land Johnston County NC, this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for — with data, context, and now a clear path forward so you’re not flying blind.
Market Overview: Where Things Are, What They Cost
Inventory & Typical Acreage Bands
In Johnston County you’ll find two broad categories of land inventory:
Rural tracts: large acreage, timber or farmland, often outside town limits or in un-subdivided zones. For example, listings of 11-50 acres show parcels such as 35.8 ac in Kenly for ~$280,000. Landwatch.com+1
Infill parcels or smaller acreage homesites: 3-10 acres, often near town or in Growth Districts with utilities or near roads. Listings show 1–5 acre parcels in Clayton, Four Oaks, Selma. homes.com+1
Price-per-Acre Patterns
According to one source, the median list price per acre in Johnston County is around $29,841/acre for land listings. Land.com
Another source shows the average listing price per acre as ~ $76,321/acre for smaller parcels (based on 2,300 acres of land for sale). LandSearch
When it comes to true agricultural value (farmland value estimate) the number is much lower – about $5,832/acre. acrevalue.com
What does this mean? If you’re buying land for residential use near Clayton or Archer Lodge, expect higher per-acre prices. If you’re buying pure farmland or timberland in more rural townships like Kenly or Princeton, values are lower (though differential depends on soils, utilities, access).
Zoning, Utilities & Road Frontage
Outside municipalities, much of Johnston County falls under county zoning such as AR (Agricultural-Residential). The zoning definitions indicate the AR district is intended for agriculture and low-density residential uses. johnstonnc.gov+1
Key difference: In town or within a municipal ETJ (extraterritorial jurisdiction), you may have public water and sewer, allowing smaller lot sizes, more flexible development. In rural zones you’ll be on well and septic, which brings added cost and risk.
Road frontage and access matter. A parcel fronting a paved road or major highway will cost more and be easier to develop than one accessible only via gravel. Utilities running to the parcel (or ability to connect) will add value.
Soil, Floodplain & Watershed Considerations
Before buying, you’ll want to check soil maps and perc testing for septic if you plan to build. In areas close to creeks, rivers, or watershed buffers, there may be restrictions or higher costs to develop.
There are conservation-easement programs in Johnston County through the Soil & Water Conservation District. johnstonnc.com
Also: The county’s Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) signals that parcels enrolled are intended to stay in agriculture and the public record will reflect that. johnstonnc.gov
Leasing vs. Buying Land: What’s Right for You?
Whether you should lease or buy depends on your goals. Here are typical use cases, and the pros/cons in Johnston County.
Use Cases
Agriculture / Forestry: Someone farming or timber-harvesting may lean toward leasing initially (lower upfront cost) while evaluating soil, yields, and market. According to NC State, farmland rental rates in NC vary widely — from ~$13 to $260 per acre for cropland; pasture from ~$15-$50 per acre. ncfarmlink.ces.ncsu.edu
Solar/Utility/Industrial Uses: Developers may lease large tracts near transmission or highway corridors, but if long term asset value or control is required, buying may make sense. A listing site shows a 12.6-acre tract in rural Johnston County available for solar/communications tower lease. landleaseexchange.com
Residential Homestead / Subdivision / Build-to-Rent (BTR): For someone moving to Johnston County, NC and looking to build a 3-10 acre estate or create several pad sites for BTR, buying land gives you the upside of appreciation, control, and perhaps subdivision or development. Lease doesn’t give that upside.
Event venue / recreation / timber investment: In these cases the flexibility of leasing can make sense: low upfront cost, shorter commitment, and you can test the concept before committing to purchase.
Key considerations:
Tax implications: Buying gives you potential appreciation, property tax benefits, and possibly agricultural use value (if qualifying). Leasing means you don’t bear the carrying cost of property tax or full liability, but you also don’t get equity. For farmland in Johnston County, the Present-Use Value is significant for qualifying agricultural land. Morning Ag Clips
Easements / mineral rights / deed restrictions: When you buy, check for mineral rights, conservation easements (the county program supports this) and riparian buffers if parcels are along creeks/rivers. These may limit development. Leasing means you’ll still likely need to deal with easement structure in your contract.
Term, escalation, improvements: Lease terms vary widely — shorter for testing (1-3 years) vs. long term (10-20 years) for solar or farming. Improvements (roads, utilities, fences) may or may not be your responsibility. Buying gives you control.
Risk and reward: Buying has higher upfront cost and greater risk (zoning changes, market swings) but potentially higher reward (land appreciation, development profit). Leasing lowers upfront cost and risk, but you give up upside and control.
Where to Find Deals in Johnston County
If you're shopping for land for sale in Johnston County NC or evaluating a lease, here's how to find opportunities.
Sources:
MLS & Land Listings: Sites like LandWatch show many listings in ZIP codes 27520 (Clayton), 27527 (Archer Lodge), 27529 (Clayton), 27577 (Smithfield), 27576 (Selma), 27504 (Benson), 27542 (Princeton/Kenly). Landwatch.com+1
County surplus & tax channels: Sometimes land is available through tax-default sales or county surplus auctions; check with the county tax office.
Land exchanges / lease platforms: For leases specifically, platforms like LandLeaseExchange list land for lease in Johnston County for alternative uses (solar or towers). landleaseexchange.com
GIS/Soil/County Planning maps: Use the county GIS and soil surveys to check soils, floodplains, watershed buffers. Soil productivity for Johnston County can be viewed via state datasets. acrevalue.com
Example ZIPs to scout:
27520 / 27527 – Clayton/Archer Lodge: good for homesites, smaller acreage near growth.
27529 – Eastern Clayton: farmland and homesites.
27577 – Smithfield: larger acreage, more rural but still accessible.
27576 – Selma: east corridor, good for industrial, solar, farmland.
27504 – Benson: rural farmland, timber, more value.
27542 / 27569 – Kenly/Princeton: more remote, likely lower cost per acre.
Real-World Vignettes
Case study A – The 7-acre homesite near Archer Lodge
A family found a 7-acre tract just outside Archer Lodge in zoning AR (Agricultural-Residential). The parcel had good frontage on a paved road, preliminary soils looked good for a conventional septic, and it was outside the major floodplain. They purchased the land rather than lease because they wanted full control to build a custom home, install a barn and maybe a small cabin. Because of the higher price-per-acre (close to the $70K/acre range for homesite tracts near Clayton), they worked with the Best Realtor in Johnston County NC to negotiate a smaller price, get a dig permit and verify utility extensions in advance.
Case study B – Leasing then buying farmland near Four Oaks
A local grower leased 35 acres of cropland near Four Oaks for two seasons. The lease allowed them to test yields, soils, drainage and access to the barn/road. After two years, they decided to purchase a contiguous 40-acre tract that had performed well – and the landowner agreed on a purchase option built into the lease. Because the land value for pure farmland was far lower (estimates show around ~$5,832/acre for farmland value in Johnston County). acrevalue.com The grower thus minimized risk through leasing first, then bought at a favorable price once things proved out.
Why Partner with the Best Realtor in Johnston County NC (Yes — That’s Brandy Nemergut)
Here’s why working with an experienced realtor like Brandy Nemergut can reduce your risk and uncover opportunities in Johnston County’s land market:
Feasibility walk & site vetting: Brandy will help you verify utility access (water/sewer vs. well/septic), road frontage, zoning classification (AR, R-20/AR, SFR-1 etc.). For example, she can interpret the county’s zoning definitions like AR or SFR-1. johnstonnc.gov
Soils & perc testing coordination: She has resources to help you order soil/perc tests (particularly important for homesites) and interpret the results so you’re not buying land that won’t support septic.
Floodplain, watershed & easement review: Brandy will check county GIS, watershed maps and identify conservation or riparian easements (e.g., via the Soil & Water Conservation District’s easement program). johnstonnc.com+1
Off-market opportunities: Because Brandy works the local networks in Johnston County, she can bring you parcels not yet widely listed (especially desirable 3-10 acre homesites near Archer Lodge, or farmland outside major growth).
Offer structure & negotiation: Whether you’re leasing or buying, you’ll need well-structured agreements. Leasing for agriculture/solar requires proper term, escalation, improvements responsibilities, etc. Brandy helps craft or vet these. Buying may involve options, due-diligence windows, mineral rights, easements, and future development potential.
Relocation strategy: For newcomers “moving to Johnston County, NC”, Brandy can also compare land vs. existing Homes for Sale in Johnston County, NC, helping you decide if you buy land now and build later, or buy ready-to-go home.
Working with an expert reduces surprise costs, minimizes risk and helps you spot the deals — whether land lease in Johnston County or land for sale in Johnston County NC.
Tips for Movers & Buyers: Things to Check Before You Decide
Since you may be comparing land vs. existing homes, here are important items to research:
Town comprehensive plans and zoning changes: Growth corridors in towns like Clayton, Archer Lodge or Smithfield may trigger utility extensions or rezoning — check the plan to see whether your land might soon be in an area planned for higher density or utilities.
Transportation & utility project announcements: Road widenings, new interchanges, water/sewer extension pipelines will raise land value. If you lease, such projects may raise your lease costs or change use-rights.
Well & septic readiness: If you’re buying and building a home, verify whether the lot has a well/septic site already approved or at least soil testing. Depth to water table, slope, soil type all matter.
Floodplain and creek buffers: If your acreage borders a creek or river, or falls in a watershed buffer, you could face building limitations, higher insurance or additional permitting.
Utility and road frontage access: If there’s no paved road to the parcel, your cost to build or lease may skyrocket. Also check power availability if you’re contemplating solar or agricultural use.
Is buying land the best move vs. buying a home?: In some cases the cost of land + build may exceed the cost of existing “Homes for Sale in Johnston County, NC” that fall in similar neighborhoods. If your timeline is short, buying an existing home may make more sense than buying land then building.
Lease terms for non-residential uses: If you’re leasing cropland or solar site, make sure the lease spells out term, renewal options, allowed uses, improvements, termination rights, who pays for access roads or utilities, and whether rights can be transferred.
Your Next Steps
If you’re considering moving to Johnston County, NC, whether your goal is building a custom homesite on 5–10 acres near Archer Lodge, leasing farmland near Four Oaks, or acquiring a tract east of Selma for development or solar — the decision to lease vs. buy is pivotal. You’re dealing with different sub-markets, vastly different cost structures depending on utilities, soils, zoning and access.
Yes — leasing may reduce upfront risk, especially for agricultural or alternative uses, but buying opens up control and appreciation upside. That’s why working with the Best Realtor in Johnston County NC, Brandy Nemergut, not only makes the process easier — it protects your investment. She helps you navigate vacant land Johnston County NC, evaluate land for sale in Johnston County NC, and when leasing, structure strong land lease in Johnston County, NC agreements.
If you’re eyeing land in Johnston County, let Brandy guide your due diligence, help you negotiate the best terms (whether lease or purchase), and lead you confidently into this dynamic market. Reach out today — your acreage journey deserves the right partner.
