This time around, that niche could be on Keene Road in northwest Orange County, just outside of Downtown. Daryl Carter, acting as a trustee for various private investment groups, so far has paid $3.73 million in three separate transactions totaling 431 acres. The all-cash deals equate to an average $8,642 per acre or an average 20 cents per sf.

Carter tells GlobeSt.com his clients are holding the dirt as a long-term investment. Daryl Carter is president of Maury L. Carter & Associates Inc., a 25-year-old brokerage founded by his father. Maury Carter and his firm are directly involved in the three Keene Road transactions.

The newest purchase of 18.3 acres for $320,000 from W & F Agrigrowth Fernfield is on the southwest corner of Ocoee-Apopka Road (County Road 437) and Keene Road, bounded on the west by the Western Beltway (State Road 429). The price equates to $17,486 per acre or 40 cents per sf.

Daryl Carter and Patrick Chisholm of Maury L. Carter & Associates negotiated for the buyer, the Carter-Keene Road Land Trust. Jeff Debitetto of Lou Haubner Realty Inc. represented the seller.

The trust picked up 19.3 acres last August on the southeast corner of Ocoee-Apopka Road and Keene Road for $210,000 or an average $10,881 per acre (25 cents per sf).

Carter, acting as trustee for another investment group, the Carter Ocoee-Apopka Land Trust, purchased 394 acres north of Keene Road in July 2000. The $3.2 million price equates to $8,122 per acre or 19 cents per sf.