The Train, the train is Coming to the Central Valley by Fall 2013

The state has secured $3.9 billion in federal money, and California taxpayers have approved bonds for the rest. Construction is actually set to start by late next year on the first leg between Bakersfield and Fresno at an estimated cost of $5.8 billion. If construction begins then the project will likely be the largest in the Union with California and the Federal government on the hook for billions of dollars in future costs.

It is not likely to go smoothly though. The estimated costs have essentially doubled with right of way issues as the train will move into urban areas. Also the state and federal governments are currently running deficits and the private sector is not all in, so finding future funds could get murky. It also looks like California voters are a little flakey. Recent polls showing voters would not have voted for the train if the vote was today.

Democrats have indicated that clogged highways are smog choking their districts, so a train system is necessary. Republicans indicate that Amtrak is not in full use, so a high priced fast train is not a solution. A big problem maybe in Palo Alto, Ca. where democrats have riled against new rail lines passing through neighborhoods.

There is indication that at least another $20 billion will be needed, so the alternative to the lack of funds will be that if the speed train fails then Amtrak will run along the new tracks. The initial stage is the Fresno to Bakersfield route and the next stage would link the San Joaquin Valley to San Jose or Bakersfield to San Fernando (Los Angeles County

The State will need funds past the Fresno to Bakersfield plan though, but despite the backlash the Cal-High-Speed Rail Authority is moving forward. They have the initial money and they plan on laying the tracks. The current administration is behind the effort, and the Rail Authority feels private money will be invested once the project has started. If you own land at or near the Fresno to Bakersfield route then you stand to profit. Buy land and wait, and buy land in the path of development still holds true.

US Topco Energy Inc. of Taiwan Furthers Solar Relationship with the City of Lancaster

The city of Lancaster press release earlier this summer regarding the Topco partnership where Mayor R. Rex Parris remarked “Great partnerships such as these are vital as Lancaster strives to further our goal of becoming the solar energy capital of the world.”

According the city of Lancaster press releases and AVPress earlier this year, Lancaster residents consume an estimated 200 million kilowatt-hours of electrical power a year. City Council members approved an original memorandum of understanding with TopCo Energy for a photovoltaic solar power plant on April 12. That original agreement was aimed at developing one or more photovoltaic solar power plants "capable of generating at least 50 megawatts of electrical power," city officials reported.
The amended agreement signed in July increases the size from 50 megawatts "to a total aggregate of up to 200 megawatts of electrical power." The goal of Lancaster is to become a net-zero energy city, so partnerships like this with Topco will further enable that goal. Through agreements like this the city of Lancaster will generate more power than they need and so can resell excess power to Southern California Edison for regional consumption.

According to Us Topco Energy Inc. website they produce a line of service that includes the planning and establishment of solar power plants ranging from 500kW to 50mW to various new and retrofit commercial and residential constructions. Topco is at least one of twelve solar companies that are using the power of the sun in Lancaster and Antelope Valley to establish solar facilities for the production of energy for the region and state.

In our opinion this is all good news to the land investor as the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale will not only grow with urban growth with the continual population explosion in this region. They can also continue to grow economically with the power of the sun and wind in the region. The city of Lancaster should be commended for taking advantage of new solar technology and the large amount of vacant land and open space. Investors should take advantage of this growth and invest in Antelope Valley land as its future is on the rise, while the stock market is on the wane. Contact VacantLandDeals.com today and invest if low risk land banking.

How to Diversify Investments by Rolling Over or Transferring an IRA/401k into California Land Investment?

Most IRA’s and 401k are invested in stocks and bonds, but many are not aware that you can invest the money that you have in your IRA or 401K into land investment. This also includes investments such as other real estate, precious metals, and commodities.
You can simply do this by rolling your current IRA and/or 401K account into a new "Self Directed IRA" account at no major cost to you. You will also retain the tax deferred status without penalties as you have not cashed out your investment. The Self Directed IRA Company will do most of the work for you, but the stock brokerage may work to attempt to retain you as their customer.
Part of the reason a Self Directed IRA is more valuable is that it provides more control and choices. This control provides you the ability to invest in land, or precious metals like gold and silver which all are hedges against inflation. If you speak to a gold or silver investment company they typically suggest a five year hold in those precious metals. In addition, land investment companies also suggest a five year or longer hold. Longer term holds depends on the location of your land investment (distance from development), and your future retirement horizon goals.
There is a difference between and transfer and a rollover. When implementing a transfer your IRA assets are moved directly from one financial institution (typically a brokerage) to another without the IRA owner actually taking possession of the assets. An IRA transfer avoids any possible tax liabilities that could occur by taking possession of your IRA/401K funds, while a rollover occurs when an individual requests a distribution from an IRA or a Qualified Retirement Plan. Your investment firm would then roll the funds into the Self Directed IRA. According to IRA laws you are allowed only one roll-over in any 12 month period. Of the three types of rollovers a Qualified Retirement Plan Direct rollover is not treated under this 12 month rule, while the other two rollovers IRA roll over and a Qualified Retirement Plan rollover are.
An IRA Rollover occurs when an individual has personally taken the distribution of funds from their IRA. You then have 60 days to rollover the distribution into another IRA. If this is not completed in the 60 day period you would be subject to a 10% tax penalty.
The process begins by your establishment of a self directed IRA account. You then initiate the transfer with a transfer form provided by your current IRA holding custodial.
You then designate the new self directed IRA custodial and they receive your funds as the new custodial. You don’t have to transfer your entire IRA/401k but just as much as you need for the new investment.
Your new self directed IRA is now available to receive California land investment. VacantLandDeals specializes in low priced and low capital land investment opportunities. They have land near development typically with ideal zoning in the path of growth for future urban development providing your exit strategy in five to fifteen years. VacantLandDeals also specializes in investment capital under $50k and some investments fewer than twenty thousand, so the low capital and low risk investment has the opportunity to mature. Go to http://www.vacantlanddeals.com/lands-for-sale/ to review an investment opportunity.