What are the proper steps to start buying land (cheap)?

Henry

Buy land in the middle of nowhere, preferably unworked and the worse it is the cheaper it is.

Pascal the Gambler

Find land, make offer.

Ranchmom1

Cheap land is typically located in areas where people don't want to live, and land which is not good for agriculture or livestock, so I would look away from large cities, in and around small towns.

sunshine_mel

1 - find cheap land Generally, this will be in places where no-one wants it, or will be cheap because it won't get planning permission

Slumlord

Get a realtor who works in raw land, have them show you different pieces, put in offers, buy said land.

Knightingale

You can also look into foreclosures. Put in a bid.