Located in Jackson County along Providence Road near Elizabeth, West Virginia (ZIP 26143), this 49.62-acre unimproved land parcel offers a combination of 15 cleared pasture acres, 34+ wooded acres, two ponds, pre-existing utilities, and multi-garage outbuildings for $149,000.Positioned less than 8 miles from Interstate 77 via the Medina or Rockport exits, the property balances rural seclusion with direct regional transport access.
Property Overview and Specification Summary
| Property Parameter | Official Listing Data & Public Records |
| Street Address | 1548 Providence Road, Elizabeth, WV 26143 |
| County / Region | Jackson County (Grant District) / Elizabeth Regional Area |
| Listing Price | $149,000 |
| Total Land Area | 49.62 Acres (2,161,447 Square Feet) |
| Price Per Acre | $3,002.82 per acre |
| Price Per Square Foot of Land | $0.069 per sq. ft. |
| Land Distribution | ~15 Acres Cleared Pasture/Bottom Land; ~34.62 Acres Woodland |
| Existing Residential Structure | 1940 Home (Uninhabitable / Requires Total Renovation or Teardown) |
| Outbuilding Infrastructure | 2 Detached Garages (Require Cleanout and Repair) |
| Water Supply | Private Drilled Water Well + Active Natural Spring |
| Wastewater System | Private Septic System Installed |
| Electrical Infrastructure | Grid Power Connected / Available on Site |
| Water Features | 2 Ponds + Natural Spring |
| Road Frontage & Access | Gravel Road Frontage (1.5 Miles from Paved Highway Access) |
| I-77 Highway Proximity | Less than 8 Miles (Medina or Rockport Exits) |
| Annual Property Taxes | $1,141.00 per year ($95.08 per month) |
| Homeowners Association (HOA) | None ($0.00) |
| Parcel Identification Number | Grant Dist. Jackson Co., TM 25 P 22 |
The Numbers and Detailed Price Analysis
Evaluating a 49.62-acre property priced at $149,000 requires analyzing purchase metrics, carrying costs, and baseline land values in Jackson County.
Per-Acre and Land Footprint Breakdown
Offered at $149,000 across 49.62 acres, the mathematical metrics calculate as follows:
- Price Per Acre:$149,000 ÷ 49.62 acres = $3,002.82 per acre
- Total Acreage in Square Feet: 49.62 acres × 43,560 sq. ft. = 2,161,447 square feet
- Price Per Square Foot of Land: $149,000 ÷ 2,161,447 sq. ft. = $0.069 per sq. ft. (under 7 cents per square foot)
In rural Jackson County, unimproved land parcels lacking utilities or road infrastructure typically trade between $2,500 and $4,000 per acre depending on timber maturity and terrain. At $3,003 per acre, 1548 Providence Road sits within an accessible price bracket, especially considering it includes established utilities, pasture clearance, and outbuildings.
Value Allocation Across Improvements
Attributing baseline valuation across physical site assets helps clarify the purchase proposition:
- Utility Infrastructure Value: A drilled water well, installed private septic system, grid electrical drop, and natural spring development represent roughly $22,000 to $35,000 in pre-existing utility capital.
- Land Clearing & Pond Value: Establishing 15 acres of cleared pasture/bottom land and excavating two ponds represents an additional $15,000 to $25,000 in earthmoving value.
- Adjusted Raw Land Value: Subtracting $45,000 of combined utility and site preparation value from the $149,000 purchase price leaves an underlying raw land valuation of approximately $104,000, or $2,095 per acre.
Fixed Holding Overhead and Carrying Costs
Holding costs for 1548 Providence Road are low due to rural tax structures:
- Annual Property Taxes:$1,141.00 per year
- Monthly Property Tax Overhead: $1,141 ÷ 12 months = $95.08 per month
- Per-Acre Tax Burden: $1,141 ÷ 49.62 acres = $22.99 per acre per year
- Homeowners Association Dues:$0.00 per month
With property taxes averaging under $96 per month and zero HOA dues, holding carrying costs allow an investor, renovator, or homestead builder to hold or develop the parcel over time without heavy monthly cash drain.
Land Topography, Pasture, and Natural Features
The 49.62-acre footprint offers a functional balance between usable agricultural bottom land and elevated forest canopy.
Cleared Pasture vs. Woodland Ratio
- 15 Acres Cleared Pasture/Bottom Land: The flat to gently rolling cleared ground near the front of the parcel provides acreage for livestock grazing, hay production, crop cultivation, or equestrian paddocks.
- 34.62 Acres Woodland: The remaining acreage rises into mature hardwood and softwood timberland, creating privacy, natural windbreaks, firewood self-sufficiency, and wildlife habitat.
Water Resources: Drilled Well, Spring, and Two Ponds
Water infrastructure is a standout feature of this property:
- Drilled Water Well:Provides a dedicated groundwater supply for household or agricultural use.
- Active Natural Spring:Offers continuous gravity-fed or natural surface water access.
- Two Farm Ponds: Provide surface water storage for livestock, irrigation, and local wildlife, while adding aesthetic value to the lower meadow.
Highway Accessibility and Location Context
- 1.5 Miles from Paved Road:Accessible via a maintained gravel county road 1.5 miles off the main paved highway.
- I-77 Proximity (< 8 Miles):Located less than 8 miles from Interstate 77, allowing travel north toward Parkersburg (approx. 25 miles) or south toward Charleston (approx. 60 miles).
Structure and Outbuilding Infrastructure
Evaluating physical improvements reveals both immediate structural liabilities and practical utility assets.
The 1940 Uninhabitable Residence: Renovation vs. Teardown
The listing notes that the 1940 home is currently uninhabitable and requires extensive renovation and structural repair.
- Option A: Teardown & New Build:For most buyers, clearing the 1940 structure provides a clean, pre-permitted building pad with existing utility hookups (well, septic, power) already on site, avoiding the high cost of restoring an 80+ year old frame structure.
- Option B: Experienced Restoration: An experienced contractor may choose to salvage the foundation, floor framing, or historic timbers to rebuild a custom rural cabin.
Two Detached Garages
The property includes two detached garages located near the primary driveway:
- Condition:Both outbuildings require cleanout, roof inspection, and structural repairs.
- Practical Utility: Once repaired, these structures provide covered storage for tractors, ATVs, mowers, tools, and farm equipment without requiring new outbuilding construction.
Comparative Value Analysis: Subject Property vs. Raw Undeveloped Acreage
To measure the value proposition of $149,000, consider a hypothetical cost comparison between acquiring 1548 Providence Road and purchasing a raw 50-acre timber parcel in Jackson County with zero existing utilities.
| Development Component | Raw 50-Acre Land Buildout (Est.) | Subject Property (1548 Providence Rd) |
| 50-Acre Land Footprint | $125,000 ($2,500/acre) | Included ($149,000 list price) |
| Land Clearing (15 Acres Pasture) | $22,500 ($1,500/acre) | Included (15 acres pre-cleared) |
| Pond Excavation (2 Ponds) | $10,000 | Included (2 existing ponds) |
| Drilling Water Well & Pump | $11,500 | Included (Drilled well on site) |
| Septic System Installation | $13,500 | Included (Septic system installed) |
| Electrical Service Connection | $4,500 | Included (Grid power on site) |
| Gravel Driveway & Site Prep | $8,000 | Included (Gravel driveway in place) |
| Outbuilding Storage (2 Garages) | $24,000 | Included (2 garages needing repair) |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL CAPITAL OUTLAY | $219,000 | $149,000 |
| IMPLIED CAPITAL SAVINGS | — | $70,000 (32.0% Savings) |
This comparison highlights that acquiring 1548 Providence Road at $149,000 delivers established utilities, pasture clearing, ponds, and outbuildings at a ~$70,000 discount compared to buying raw forestland and developing equivalent infrastructure from scratch.
Key Advantages and Potential Drawbacks
Key Advantages
- Substantial Land Footprint:49.62 acres offering privacy, pasture, timber, and hunting ground.
- Pre-Existing Utilities:Drilled well, septic system, electric drop, and natural spring reduce upfront development costs.
- Diverse Topography: 15 acres of cleared pasture/bottom land paired with 34+ acres of mature timber.
- Multiple Water Sources:Two farm ponds plus an active natural spring.
- Low Holding Costs:Annual property taxes total $1,141 per year ($95/month) with zero HOA dues.
- I-77 Convenience:Less than 8 miles to Interstate 77 via Medina or Rockport exits.
Potential Drawbacks
- Uninhabitable 1940 Residence:Requires demolition or extensive structural renovation before residential occupancy.
- Outbuilding Repair Needed:Both detached garages require trash cleanout, roof repair, and structural stabilization.
- Unpaved Access Road:Located on a gravel road 1.5 miles from paved highway access, requiring 4WD during winter snow or heavy mud conditions.
- Utility Testing Required: Pre-existing septic system and well pump require full functional testing after period of disuse.
Target Buyer Profiles: Who Fits This Property Best?
| Buyer Profile | Compatibility Profile | Fit Assessment |
| Homesteaders & Hobby Farmers | Buyers seeking 15 cleared acres for livestock, gardening, or small-scale farming with existing well/septic utilities. | Ideal Fit |
| Custom Home Builders | Purchasers wanting 49+ acres with multiple flood-free building pads and connected utilities to build a primary residence. | Ideal Fit |
| Recreational Hunters & Outdoorsmen | Hunting groups looking for a 50-acre preserve with woods, water, pasture, and I-77 access. | Ideal Fit |
| Land Investors & Speculators | Investors seeking to bank 49.62 acres at $3,003/acre with low $95/month tax holding costs. | Ideal Fit |
| Turnkey Homebuyers | Buyers seeking an immediate move-in ready home requiring no land clearing, demolition, or building repairs. | Unfavorable Fit |
Essential Buyer Due Diligence Checklist
Prospective buyers should complete the following technical verification steps prior to submitting an offer:
- Perform Water Well & Spring Quality Test: Hire a certified well technician to test well pump flow rate (GPM) and test water samples for bacteria, heavy metals, and mineral content.
- Inspect Private Septic System: Retain a licensed septic contractor to pump the septic tank, inspect baffles, and verify drain field absorption.
- Assess 1940 Home & Garages:Inspect the uninhabitable home to estimate teardown/demolition costs versus salvage value, and obtain repair estimates for both detached garages.
- Survey Boundary Pins & Access Road:Review county tax maps (Grant Dist., TM 25 P 22) and locate physical boundary markers across the 49.62 acres.
- Verify Flood Zone Boundaries: Confirm flood map panels to ensure chosen home building sites sit safely above bottom land flood basins.
Final Verdict
1548 Providence Road in Elizabeth, West Virginia, presents a high-utility, low-cost acreage opportunity.Offered at $149,000 ($3,003/acre) for 49.62 acres, its strongest competitive advantages include its 15 acres of cleared pasture, pre-existing well/septic/electric utilities, two ponds and natural spring, and low $95/month property taxes.
The primary trade-offs are clear: the 1940 house is uninhabitable and requires demolition or total restoration, the two garages require cleanout and repair, and access involves 1.5 miles of gravel road.
For homesteaders, custom builders, hunters, or land investors seeking a 50-acre West Virginia parcel equipped with baseline utility infrastructure, 1548 Providence Road is well worth an on-site walkthrough and thorough due diligence review.
Listed on Zillow