Difference between revisions of "Viewerhelp:Buying and owning land"

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== What is land? ==
 
Every place you visit in Second Life is on virtual land.
Every place you visit in Second Life is on virtual land.


Why should ''you'' own land? Whether it's creating a cozy home, a stylish store, a bustling nightclub, or just using land as a canvas for artistic self-expression, there are many possibilities. Think of it this way: the web has domains like <code>secondlife.com</code> you can reliably access to learn more. In a same way, every piece of Second Life land has a special address you can share with others by way of {{xref|landmark|landmarks}} and {{xref|SLurl|SLurls}} so they can come visit in seconds. That way, whether you're inviting a newfound friend over or increasing your sales, you have reliability and peace of mind.
Why should ''you'' own land? Whether it's creating a cozy home, a stylish store, a bustling nightclub, or just using land as a canvas for artistic self-expression, there are many possibilities. Think of it this way: the web has domains like <code>secondlife.com</code> you can reliably access. In the same way, every piece of Second Life land has a special address you can share with others by way of {{xref|landmark|landmarks}} and {{xref|SLurl|SLurls}} so they can come visit via teleport. That way, whether you're inviting a new-found friend over or increasing your sales, you have reliability and peace of mind.
 
If you're a first-time landowner, consider {{xref|Linden Home|Linden Homes}}, land that comes with a prebuild house you can customize and decorate as you wish.
 
Land has many concepts, but below are the basics to get you started quickly.
 
== Types and sizes of land ==
 
Land can either be located on:
 
* '''{{xref|mainland|Mainland}}''' - Linden-administrated and made of non-contiguous {{xref|continent|continents}}.
* '''{{xref|estate|Estate}}''' - Most estates are ''private'' estates owned by Residents.
 
How can you tell?
 
# Choose '''World''' > '''Place Profile''' > '''About Land'''.
# In {{winlink|About Land - General}}, look where it says '''Type''' and '''Owner'''. Mainland is ''always'' owned by {{xref|Governor Linden}}.
 
From smallest to biggest land units, some general facts about important terms we use:
 
* '''{{xref|parcel|Parcel}}'''
** Divided part of a region owned by a Resident or a {{xref|group}}.
** A parcel can be as small as 16 m<sup>2</sup> or as big as the entire region.
** Every mainland parcel owner has a {{xref|Premium}} or {{xref|Concierge}} account (if you own half of a mainland region or more), but you you can buy (lease) parcels with a {{xref|Basic}} account on private estates.
** Settings are controlled in {{winlink|About Land - General|About Land}}.
* '''{{xref|region|Region}}'''
** A square on the map, either a private estate or the mainland.
** 65,536 m<sup>2</sup> (256 x 256 m<sup>2</sup>) of virtual land running on a {{xref|sim|''sim''ulator}}.
** Ownership is actually at the Estate level.
** Settings are controlled in {{winlink|Region/Estate - Region|Region/Estate}}.
* '''{{xref|estate|Estate}}'''
** One or more regions owned by and billed to a Resident, called the {{xref|estate owner}}, and optionally managed by up to 10 {{xref|estate managers}}.
** Every estate owner has a {{xref|Concierge}} account.
** Estate managers have almost all the powers of the estate owner.
** An estate's regions don't have to be contiguous.
** Settings are controlled in {{winlink|Region/Estate - Region|Region/Estate}}, specifically the {{vh|Region/Estate - Estate|'''Estate''' tab}}.
* '''Second Life world - {{xref|grid}}'''
** Doesn't have a single owner, but is overall run by Linden Lab employees.
** News appears on [http://status.secondlifegrid.net/ Grid Status Reports].
 
[[File:Land-units.jpg|640px]]
 
== Buying versus renting ==
 
There are exceptions to the following so consult specific situations, but some key points:
 
* '''Buying happens on the mainland.'''
** You need to have a Premium account for your land holdings ({{xref|tier}}).
** ''No'' intermediary Resident is involved.
** Terraforming is limited to +/- 4 m and outside of a few other exceptions (like {{xref|Linden Home|Linden Homes}}, there's ''no'' zoning code, meaning neighbors can build whatever they want as long as it doesn't violate the {{xref|Community Standards}}.
* '''Renting happens on a private estate.'''
** You can have a Basic account.
** You're paying L$ to a Resident; the {{winlink|Buy Land}} window still says "buy", but requires you to agree to a covenant, the estate owner's terms of use. This means they have the right to reclaim your land and eject you at their discretion.
** Obviously, just like in real life, there's no problem if the landlord-tenant relationship is friendly, but there could be a higher risk of conflict.
** Terraforming may be more or less flexible; certain estates are themed and enforce zoning codes, promoting a more cohesive appearance. For example, Arabian desert or futuristic metropolis.
 
== How to buy a parcel ==
 
# Find a parcel. There are several ways to do that, including:
#* Using the search tool in the upper-right of your Viewer window.
#* Browsing the {{winlink|World Map}}.
#* [http://xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Real_Estate Xstreet Real Estate] on the web.
#* You can see parcel borders: choose '''World''' > '''Show''' > '''Property Lines''' and/or '''Land Owners'''.
# On the parcel, choose '''World''' > '''Buy This Land'''. The {{winlink|Buy Land}} window appears with more details.
#* For example, you may need to buy more {{xref|L$}} first if the parcel's cost exceeds your current balance.
#* Or you may need to upgrade your account if the parcel size exceeds your current allowed land holdings.
#* On a private estate, you need to check '''I agree to the {{xref|covenant|Covenant}} Defined Above'''.
# Once everything is set, click '''Purchase'''.
 
More help:
 
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/How_do_I_buy_land%3F How do I buy land?]
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Land_Buying_FAQ Land Buying FAQ]
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:Xstreet_Real_Estate Xstreet Real Estate]
 
=== Making a parcel group-owned ===
 
# After buying a parcel, choose '''World''' > '''Place Profile''' > '''{{vh|About Land - General|About Land}}.
# Click '''Set''' to open {{winlink|Groups}}.
# Select a group and click '''OK'''.
# Check '''Allow Deed to Group'''.
#* If you're also contributing your land holdings to the group, check '''Owner Makes Contribution With Deed'''.
# Click '''Deed'''.
 
Group-owned land has many subtleties such as a 10% land-holding bonus, so it's well-worth reading more help:
 
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/How_does_group-owned_land_work How does group-owned land work?]
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/How_do_I_manage_objects_on_group-owned_land%3F How do I manage objects on group-owned land?]
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:How_do_I_change_or_remove_group_land_contributions How do I change or remove group land contributions?]
 
=== Customizing a parcel ===
 
Once you own a parcel, there are two basic ways to customize it:
 
# '''Administrative settings''' - Choose '''World''' > '''Place Profile''' > '''{{vh|About Land - General|About Land}}'''.
# '''Inworld customization'''
#* You can {{xref|rez}} objects like a house and furniture onto your parcel.
#* Depending on the land, you may be able to {{xref|terraform}} it.
 
== Monitoring your land holdings and use ==
 
To monitor your land:
* Choose '''World''' > '''{{vh|My Land}}'''.
* Go to [https://secondlife.com/my/account/ My Dashboard] and click '''Land Manager''' on the left. This has more details.
 
== Getting more or better land ==
 
If you have a big vision that simply must be realized on a larger canvas, visit the [https://land.secondlife.com Second Life Land Store], where you can purchase entire regions and upgrade to a Concierge account.
 
For your ease, we also offer themed, developed land for different use cases so you can get started in minutes.
 
More help:
 
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:Buying_land_in_the_Land_Store Buying land in the Land Store]
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:Themed_Private_Regions Themed Private Regions]
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:What%27s_Concierge_service_and_how_do_I_get_it%3F What's Concierge service and how do I get it?]
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Linden_Lab_Official:Estate_FAQ Estate FAQ]


== Controlling your region or estate ==
If you're a first-time landowner, consider {{xref|Linden Home|Linden Homes}}, land that comes with a prebuilt house you can customize and decorate as you wish. Linden Homes provide an introduction to land ownership and residential community living in the Second Life virtual world.


To control your region or estate:
Land has many concepts, but in the following articles are basics to get you started quickly.


* Choose '''World''' > '''Place Profile''' > '''{{vh|Region/Estate - Region|Region/Estate}}''' to change settings for each region.
'''Continue to:''' {{vh|Types and sizes of land}}
* To change estate-wide settings, click the {{vh|Region/Estate - Estate|'''Estate'''}} tab.

Latest revision as of 15:45, 30 September 2010

Every place you visit in Second Life is on virtual land.

Why should you own land? Whether it's creating a cozy home, a stylish store, a bustling nightclub, or just using land as a canvas for artistic self-expression, there are many possibilities. Think of it this way: the web has domains like secondlife.com you can reliably access. In the same way, every piece of Second Life land has a special address you can share with others by way of landmarks and SLurls so they can come visit via teleport. That way, whether you're inviting a new-found friend over or increasing your sales, you have reliability and peace of mind.

If you're a first-time landowner, consider Linden Homes, land that comes with a prebuilt house you can customize and decorate as you wish. Linden Homes provide an introduction to land ownership and residential community living in the Second Life virtual world.

Land has many concepts, but in the following articles are basics to get you started quickly.

Continue to: Types and sizes of land