Once you’ve decided to sell your property, there are lots of steps in between the first listing and closing day. In fact, the success of your sale often depends on what happens before the first interested customer visits your land. With the proper preparation, you’ll be able to save time, attract buyers, and maximize profit.
Small details make a big difference when it comes to selling land. So, let’s go over our top insights to ensure a successful sale.
1. Property Enhancements
The first part of sale prep is making your land market-ready. Think of it as giving your property a face-lift—aesthetic improvements that boost your property’s market value and attract more potential customers.
Here are some ideas to enhance curb appeal and impress buyers.
- Tidy up – First things first: clear away debris and junk, mow the lawn, and pull the weeds. If there are any buildings on the property, a fresh coat of paint goes a long way. For larger acreage, you can contract a landscaper to ensure your land is in tip-top shape.
- Make repairs – If you’ve been waiting to fix that broken gate or faulty hose, now’s the time. Also, be sure to smooth out ruts or potholes on the entrance road and walking paths.
- Add greenery – Strategically plant flowers, shrubs, or trees to breathe new life into your property.
- Highlight special features – Draw attention to your land’s unique selling points. For instance, if there is a small pond on the property, add a bench or hammock nearby.
Once you’ve spruced up your property, be sure to take high-quality photos for the listing!
2. Timing is Everything
Since you want your land to appear lush and healthy, we advise selling your property when it looks its best. Spring is a popular season for listings, but the right time can differ by area. Ask yourself: when do the flowers bloom? When is the heaviest rain? When does mud collect on the paths? By playing to your property’s advantages, you’ll make a positive first impression that will stick with buyers.
Keep in mind that you’ll need a few months to prepare your land for sale, from collecting necessary paperwork to cleaning up the property. If you know you want to list a property in the spring, that means you’ll have to start getting it ready months earlier.
3. Prepare Property Records
The next step takes place behind the scenes. It’s important to gather records, paperwork, and photographs of your property throughout the years so that buyers have a clear vision of the purchase they’re making. A detailed land history makes your property more trustworthy, which reassures customers and increases your chances of selling.
In addition to basics like a title deed and land survey, requirements can vary by state. Sellers often need to obtain the following1:
- Timber records
- Forestry plan
- Harvest plan
- Wildlife census
- Soil and water testing
- Water rights
- Zoning regulations
You may need to hire an expert to prepare these documents, but this will pay off in the long run.
Mark Boundary Lines
In order to know what’s included in your property, you need to know where it begins and ends. Especially if land has been passed down for generations, borders can get lost over time. But in a listing, “from the gate to that tree” won’t cut it—buyers will want to know exact boundary lines before making a purchase. This will also encourage a harmonious relationship with their future neighbors.
We recommend hiring a surveyor to do the work for you. An official survey is also the best way to be transparent about any underlying features or hazards on your terrain.2
4. Find a Trusted Agent
Real estate professionals bring industry expertise, local knowledge, and valuable resources to a property sale. Selling your own land can feel like a part-time job, but a broker takes care of the hassle so you can focus on prepping your property.
Agents assist with a sale from start to finish, including:
- Paperwork and documentation
- Online listings
- Advertising and marketing
- Buyer visits
- Setting a price
- Offers and negotiations
- Closing the deal
Don’t know where to start? Find a Land Pro agent near you with our handy broker search tool.
5. List Your Property on Land.com Today
Find potential buyers in no time on Land.com, the nation’s largest online marketplace for buying and selling rural property. Our integrated online network—including Land.com, LandWatch.com, and LandAndFarm.com—receives over 12 million visits every month.
Advertise your property to thousands of potential buyers from the comfort of your own home. From 3D virtual tours to a custom mapping tool, our streamlined features help boost visibility, track analytics, and speed up turnarounds. List your property today and reach more buyers, gain more leads, and sell your land.
5. Promote Your Listing with Listing Plan Options
In order to optimize your listing online and increase exposure, you can choose from one of our three Listing Plan options. This will help your property secure a higher spot on our current listings, provide premium branding, and give you access to smart marketing tools to drive more leads and sales.
Here is an overview of our Listing Plan options:
1. Signature Plan:
- 160% More Exposure: Be among the top 3% of our listings.
- Prominent Branding: Your name, business name, and logo (or portrait) featured in search results.
- Comprehensive Features: Virtual tour and video display, enhanced photo gallery, dedicated seller profile page, and more.
- Marketing Campaigns: Reach potential buyers through Google, Bing, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Competition-Free Pages: Stand out with dedicated property pages.
2. Premium Plan:
- 60% More Exposure: Receive the second-highest placement in search results.
- Prominent Branding: Feature your name and business name in search results.
- Comprehensive Features: Similar to the Signature Plan but with slightly fewer features.
- Marketing Campaigns: Benefit from advertising efforts on major platforms.
- Competition-Free Pages: Stand out from the crowd with dedicated property pages.
3. Standard Plan:
- Sorted Search Results: Appear below Premium listings.
- Comprehensive Features: Includes virtual tour, enhanced photo gallery, and dedicated seller profile page.
- Competition-Free Pages: Enjoy dedicated property pages.
For specific details and assistance on priority listings, contact us or call us at 512.263.5600 to connect with your regional representative. Benefit from prioritized exposure, enhanced branding, and smart tools tailored to your needs. Choose the plan that fits your goals and start reaching potential buyers today.
Trust Land.com as Your Land-Sale Partner
Preparing your land for sale is a multifaceted process that involves attention to detail, timing, documentation, and professional assistance. By implementing the insights shared in this guide, you can significantly enhance the market appeal and visibility of your property, ultimately leading to a successful sale.
At Land.com, we’re dedicated to the community, stewardship, and legacy of open spaces. Take advantage of our expertise, resources, and extensive network to accelerate your land sale process. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to reach more buyers, gain more leads, and sell your land with ease. Contact a Land.com representative or add your listing to Land.com today and embark on your journey toward a successful sale.
Sources:
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Land Acquisition Planning. https://www.fws.gov/policy-library/341fw2
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Surveyors. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/surveyors.htm#tab-1
