There were over 1,800 properties listed as sold through the Lands of America Comparable Sales Program in February 2018, totaling $618 million and 161,000 acres of sold land and rural real estate across 44 states. This represents a 2 percent increase in sales activity over January 2018.
The acquisition of $19-million Sandstone Ranch by the Douglas County Open Space consortium was the month’s most expensive land sale. Other notable sales included Kurtz Auction & Realty Company’s $9.5-million sale of Outland Ranch in Illinois and Louie Swope and George “Mitch” West’s sale of 1,310-acre Pedernales River Ranch in Gillepsie County, Texas (pictured above, sold for $9.2 million on February 16). Dating back to the 1800s, Pedernales River Ranch was once a part of the early Morris Ranch and retains many of its original historic features, including barns and a unique rock bridge.
The total amount of sold acreage in February reflects a 13 percent increase over the previous month, with an average parcel size of 122 acres for land and rural real estate listed as sold nationwide. The month’s largest recorded land sale through the Lands of America Comparable Sales program was that of 5,512-deeded-acre Halleck Canyon Ranch in southeast Wyoming. The $2.3-million sale occurred on February 16 and was brokered by Denver-based Mirr Ranch Group.
Texas, Florida and Oklahoma saw the most land sales during the month. Henderson County in Texas registered the most individual sales, followed by Navajo County, Arizona, and Marion County, Florida. Texas, California and Colorado registered the most sales in terms of overall sales volume by state.
New land listed for sale across the Land.com Network in February represents acreage in 85 percent of all U.S. counties. Below are some notable new listings on the market as of February.
Largest new land listing
Another ranch property marketed by Mirr Ranch Group, and listed cooperation with Wildlife Resources LLC, Antelope Springs Ranch is a 43,278-deeded-acre offering located in the heart of eastern Montana’s ranching territory. Currently supporting more than 1,000 year-round cow units, as well as 700-plus sheep during the summer months, Antelope Springs Ranch comprises 53,238 total acres with additional State, BLM and private land leases.
Read more: 10 Biggest Ranches for Sale in America
Most expensive new land listing
Located south of Vancouver, British Columbia, on the Strait of Georgia, this large tract of land is ideally positioned to take advantage of one of the busiest, most important shipping routes in the world. Adjacent to open water with supporting infrastructure for heavy industry in place, the commercial acreage offers close access to Interstate 5 and rail and road connections between Canada, Seattle and points south to California and beyond. The $70-million property was listed by CBRE on February 5, 2018.
Read more: 10 Most Expensive Ranches for Sale in America
Counties with most new land for sale
Below are the five counties with the most new land listed for sale in February 2018:
- Lee County, Florida | Southwest Florida’s Lee County is centered around the world-class beaches and attractions of the Fort Myers-Sanibel area.
- Maricopa County, Arizona | Comprising the booming Phoenix metropolitan area, Maricopa County is the fastest growing county in the country in terms of population growth.
- Marion County, Florida | Marion County is an area of rolling hills and inland lakes located in north-central Florida. With more than 700 horse farms (450 of which are thoroughbred) covering over 30,000 acres, the area bills itself the “Horse Capital of the World.”
- Los Angeles County, California | As you’d expect of the country’s second-most populous city, land for sale in Los Angeles County largely comprises acreage for commercial and residential development.
- San Bernardino County, California | Spreading northeast from L.A., San Bernardino County comprises everything from residential and equestrian estates to the orchards and agricultural acreage that drive the massive California farm economy.
Most searched counties
Below are the ten most searched counties on Lands of America in February 2018:
- Bandera County, Texas (+4)
- Kerr County, Texas (+1)
- Edwards County, Texas (-2)
- Gillespie County, Texas
- Burnet County, Texas (-3)
- Williamson County, Texas (+1)
- Parker County, Texas (-1)
- McClennan County, Texas (NEW)
- Comal County, Texas (NEW)
- Kendall County, Texas
Below are the ten most searched non-Texas counties on Lands of America in February 2018:
- Klamath County, Oregon
- Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
- Marion County, Florida
- Cochise County, Arizona
- Maricopa County, Arizona
- Huerfano County, Colorado
- Texas County, Missouri
- Yavapai County, Arizona
- Navajo County, Arizona
- Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
Top-performing land brokers
Based on brokers participating in the Lands of America Comparable Sales Program, below are our Brokers of the Week for land sales completed during the month. Congratulations to these individuals!
- February 1 – Texas Ranch Sales Sells Beautiful 1,500-Acre Recreational Ranch in Medina County
- February 8 – Mirr Ranch Group Sells 2,038-Acre Ranch in Colorado’s Scenic Front Range
- February 15 – Broker of the Week: Bootlegger Realty’s Tyler Striet Sells 4,367-Acre Farm in North-Central Montana
- February 22 – Broker of the Week: 3,159-Acre Sport-Dog & Recreational Estate Sold in Southern Illinois
Land buyers can access our comprehensive database of historic sales information by purchasing a LandInsights account ($199/year), while platinum and basic sellers receive complimentary access through the Lands of America Property Control Center.