The Value of Unclaimed Land is Minimal.
None of this article is financial/investment/legal advice, it contains a strategic valuation analysis of speculative assets that can be subject to market fluctuations. You are suggested to seek out a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) for all investments and the author is not an RIA. Splinterlands' Terms of Service identifies Splinterlands/Steem Monsters as not being an Investment Company. As defined by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Steem Monsters (the parent company of Splinterlands) and the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) that was published by Steem Monsters can be argued to rise to the definition of being classified as Financial Institutions in the United States. This is a duty to warn and inform given that the actions to be described regard the valuation of assets and speculation of events to take place.
Knowing prices is critical. When it comes to Land in Splinterlands, comparing the Hive Engine and Splinterlands token markets to the secondary market is informative and it can save a lot of hassles, especially for those who know exactly what they want.
Where the Value is Found
Land value is typically found with Magical and Occupied plots. These plots have a lot of upside potential and if they come with a Building in a Box, it affords a significant head start. Natural plots with a Building in a Box can certainly produce, but it will not produce like a Magical or Occupied plot because of the variety of possibilities.
The Magical and Occupied plots can be thought of like Gold and Platinum cards to own, but they carry the ability to earn various special assets that can be sold beyond grain.
Magical and Occupied Plots Pricing
A Common Magical Plot will not have the rarity boost, but from a cost perspective it may not necessarily be worth it. Cards on the rental market can make up for the rarity boost or buying cards to make up for the difference in rarities may also prove to be worth it as well.
A 10% productivity boost is worth $70?
It is $240 for a 40% productivity boost coming from a Epic Magical plot, is this worth it? Possibly not if you want to make up for it in the card market.
However, when it comes to strictly natural resources desired (i.e. grain), a $125 Epic plot with a Building in a Box and Unstable Totem makes sense.
It produces 40% more and when compared to the Rare plots, it is a relative bargain.
If there's value to be found it would have to be the Epic Natural plot ($125) or the Common Magical plot ($110).
The Worst Values
Most who are guaranteed an Epic Natural plot or Common Magical plot with a Building in a Box would be reasonably happy with such a pull post-claim and post-survey. However, there is no such guarantee and the prices on Hive Engine and in the Splinterlands market for unclaimed Land are quite surprising.
Taking the sure thing for almost the same price as the "lottery ticket" is what any reasonable actor would do. Of course, figure out what your production amounts will be and what asset markets you want to delve into before making such a purchase. The maintenance fees, taxes, and costs involved with possible acquisition will definitely weigh into the decision as well. It's hard to know what the prices of Land assets will be, but getting a handle for the expenses element will help with determining percentage returns.