The Best Long-Term Investment You Can Make (In Gilbert)

by Cole Repp

The Best Long-Term Investment You Can Make (In Gilbert)

Why One Acre Properties in Gilbert, Arizona Are One of the Best Investments You Can Make in 2025

If you’ve been watching the rapid growth of Gilbert, Arizona, you’ve probably noticed one trend: homes are getting smaller, lots are shrinking, and true land ownership is becoming increasingly rare. And in a market where space is disappearing and prices continue to rise, one of the smartest real estate investments you can make today is surprisingly simple:

Buying a full acre of land inside the City of Gilbert.

Not just any acre but an in city, non-county-island acre with long-term stability, minimal risk, and undeniable future value.

In this deep dive, we’ll break down why one acre properties in Gilbert are becoming one of the area’s most powerful investment opportunities, how to separate good acre lots from risky ones, and what buyers need to know before jumping in.

Why an Acre in Gilbert Is Becoming an Ultra-High-Value Asset

The housing landscape in Arizona has shifted dramatically in recent years. As more people move into the Phoenix metro area, builders have been responding the only way they can:

Smaller lots
Denser neighborhoods
Zero-lot-line homes
Vertical developments in urban areas

Gilbert is no exception. As population continues to rise, there will come a time when space simply runs out and when that happens, the value of large, single acre lots skyrockets.

You Can Build More Homes… But You Can’t Build More Land

Real estate markets fluctuate. Prices rise and fall. But one thing stays consistently valuable:

Land that cannot be replaced.

You can always build:

Smaller homes
Taller homes
More compact neighborhoods

But you cannot recreate an acre of land in an area where it no longer exists.

This is why in city acre lots hold value even during recessions, and historically appreciate faster than standard HOA homes on smaller parcels.

How Rare Are One Acre Lots in Gilbert?

To put it into perspective:

Total homes for sale in Gilbert: ~690
Homes with at least 1 acre: 28

Only 28 options in an entire city.

That level of scarcity is exactly why these properties perform so well.

City Acre vs. County Acre: The Difference That Determines Long-Term Value

This is where most buyers make a critical mistake. Not all acre lots are created equal, and county acreage comes with major risks that can impact your property value.

Here’s the breakdown:

County Island Acre: Low Rules, High Risk

County islands in Gilbert are unique areas where:

There is no city zoning
Fewer restrictions exist
Neighbors can essentially “do whatever they want”

This means your million-dollar home might sit next to:

A fifth-wheel trailer
An RV collection
Horses
A mechanic shop
An unkept lot
A makeshift junkyard
Multiple mobile homes

For luxury buyers, commuters, or long-term investors, this is a huge red flag.

Why County Acreage Hurts Home Value

One neighbor’s choices can dramatically affect the worth of your property. If you’re buying for long-term appreciation and stability, county land is simply too unpredictable.

City Acre: Stability, Consistency & Long Term Value

City-zoned acre lots come with:

Neighborhood standards
Basic zoning protections
Cleaner surrounding properties
Predictable future value
Far fewer “wild card” neighbors

When buying acreage as an investment, in-city zoning is essential.

It’s the difference between an appreciating asset and a financial headache.

Real Examples: County vs. City Acre in Gilbert

Example 1: County Acre: High Price, Low Promise

One listing (discussed in the video) sits on county land but is priced at $1,000,000+.

Surrounding properties include:

RVs
A fifth wheel
Mixed structures
Inconsistent upkeep

The risk?
Your million dollar investment could easily be affected by neighbor decisions you cannot control.

Example 2: City Acre : Greenfield Acres

Now compare that to a property in Greenfield Acres, priced at $1.25M.

The surrounding area features:

Clean, manicured yards
Custom homes
Wide streets
Mature landscaping
A stable HOA community

This is what long-term value looks like.

Acre Lots in Gilbert: Why They Appreciate Faster Than Typical HOA Homes

More examples from the video illustrate this perfectly.

Typical HOA Neighborhood Home

Purchased in 2004 for $354,000
Now selling for $974,000

That’s great appreciation but now compare it to acreage.

Acre Property in Circle G Ranch

Purchased in 2020 for $1.8M
Now listed for $3.2M+

Even if it doesn’t sell at that exact number, the appreciation is exponentially higher than a typical subdivision home.

The reason?
The land, not the house, drives the value.

The $20 Million Example: Why It Will Never Sell

A unique and massive property in Gilbert has been listed at $20 million for nearly two years.

It sits on county land.

Despite being architecturally stunning and one-of-a-kind, it remains unsold because:

The surrounding area lacks uniformity
Neighbors have mixed-use land and mobile structures
County zoning limits the buyer pool
Luxury buyers won’t pay $20M to live next to uncertain surroundings

This is the perfect example of why land value is tied to what surrounds it, not just what sits on it.

Who Should Consider Buying an Acre in Gilbert?

This strategy is ideal for:

✔️ Buyers moving from California or other higher-priced markets
✔️ Investors seeking long-term appreciation
✔️ Families wanting space with stability
✔️ Those planning to build a custom home
✔️ Anyone looking to insulate their investment from market fluctuations

If you can afford it, a city zoned acre is one of the strongest real estate purchases you can make in Arizona today.

Final Thoughts: The Best Real Estate Investment in Gilbert? One Acre of Land In the City.

If you’re purchasing for the long term, want stability, or are looking for high-return appreciation, an in-city acre in Gilbert is incredibly hard to beat.

Because unlike most homes:

🏡 You can change the house.
🌳 You can upgrade the landscape.
📈 But you can never create more land.

And as Gilbert continues to grow, that scarcity is becoming more valuable every year.

For a full video guide, make sure to check out my YouTube Video Here

And if you are looking to buy or sell in Arizona, we would love to earn your business!

Cole@whitelabelaz.com or text us directly at 602-350-5624

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