Despite lack of liquidity, land remains a solid investment

At first glance, buying empty space might sound like the road to ruin. But for many investors, land has become a path to a balanced, and profitable, portfolio. While that doesn't mean it's for everyone, land is certainly worth a closer look from investors weighing their options.

Land as an investment can take many forms: institutional investment by life insurance companies and pension funds, farmers renting out land for revenue, active farmers purchasing land for future investment or expansion, and developers/investors buying for future residential or commercial development.

Calgary has enough serviced and zoned land to accommodate an expected 114,000 people in the next five years.

In a new growth forecast and according to land supply numbers released by the City, there is enough serviced land with approved zoning for 18,846 single-family homes and 26,793 multi-family units.