Cost of Land

[toli]

This is true, but it is also historically particular.  That is, European fuedalism arises out of the Barbarian kingdoms that brought down Rome.  

True but one does need to allow for some variation in country and make a distinction to separate the high middle ages from the rinascimento.  Alloidal holdings never really disappeared from Spain and southern France and were really the norm in Italy.  The Plague had a large effect on society (generally giving peasants more influence because of a lack of labor force) as well.  By the historical time period Wyerth pseudorepresents, feudal oblicagations were very different and private land more common.  As an example, knights or gentlemen who made $ in the hundred years war generally bought land.  For John Fastolf (*aka Falstaf), who would have been around in the 1400's, 75% of his income came from lands purchased with the proceedes from his adventures in Frances and only 25% from lands he either inherited or got through marriage.  In Italy, some families developed large landholdings as they bought land in that city's contatdo (the surrounding country controlled by the city) from the contadini (farmers).  In general land issues related to cities would be some what different to the feudlal norm.

As for investing in a business or civic real estate that is fine...the same general general question pertains, however.  What is a reasonable profit for an investment?  Again I don't mean to use this 'investment' or land as a plot mechanism, just passive income.  I think it would be perfectly reasonable to set some variation around that income, but one still needs an expected starting point...5% seems to be ok.  Not too much, not too little.  I might allow a better return during character generation.  


NT

[Mike Holmes]

I think that 5% is a fine figure as an average, but that it would fluctuate fairly wildly. I'm thinking that the norm would be from -30% to +40% or something like that. Meaning that you have to be very frugal with your profits to ensure continuing "cash flow". But sure, otherwise I think that 5% is a reasonable ROI for real estate.

Mike