10 Tips to Sell Your Land | SoundListings.com

Maybe you want to spruce up your own home or take a fancy vacation; maybe you never go to this land anyway and it would be nice not to think about it anymore. Whatever the reason, a land sale can bring in some much-needed cash.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected almost every aspect of life everywhere, and the real estate market is no exception. As more and more employers have allowed employees to work from home, more and more workers are choosing to work remotely and live wherever they want. For many people, this choice has meant moving out of the city and into rural areas that may be more affordable and often offer a better quality of life. If you own rural land, this may be a great opportunity for you to sell to a buyer moving to the country. While selling land can be a great moneymaker, it will still require some work on your part. Even the most beautiful property won't sell itself! You can choose to do the work yourself or outsource it, but you will need to take some steps to prepare your land for sale and properly market it to get the best price. Here are ten tips to sell your land:

1. Determine how much your land is worth

A good estimate of the value of your land is critical to its sale. If you don't know how much your property is worth, it can be hard to sell it for a fair price. Underestimate its value and you may accept an offer far below market value. Overestimate it, and your land may sit on the market for months (or more), while you continue to pay property taxes and other bills for its upkeep. For a DIY approach, you can look up comparable sales in the area and use those to estimate how much your land is worth, or you can turn to online resources like Zillow or Landwatch. If you'd rather not do it yourself, hire a professional real estate appraiser.

2. Clean up your land

You wouldn't show your home for sale without cleaning it up first, would you? Of course not! In the same way that a clean house looks more attractive to buyers, tidy land looks better, too. Take a drive around your property and clean up brush, fallen branches, and any other debris that takes away from its natural beauty and detracts from its utility.

3. Prepare your legal documents

You can only sell land that you own, and any buyer will confirm ownership before proceeding with the sale. Take the time now to locate your deed or tax bill for a quick closing when the time comes.

4. Identify potential buyers

Think about who might like to buy your land. Are a lot of people moving to your area? If so, your land might be perfect for someone hoping to build a house. If your property is large enough, a developer might like to buy it to subdivide into smaller lots and build a little neighborhood. Other potential uses include selling your land for hunting or farming. You know best what your land is good for, so use that knowledge when trying to sell it.

5. Ask your neighbors

The easiest way to sell your land may be to sell it to a neighbor, so before you stick a sign by the road or list it with a real estate agent, ask around. The people next door might want to expand their property by annexing yours.

6. Think like a marketing company

To sell your land, you need to highlight its best features. What makes your land stand out? Is it conveniently located near the downtown, or is it located in the peace and quiet of the country? Are there attractions like lakes, golf courses, or hiking trails nearby? Emphasize what makes your land so valuable, and the right buyer will find you.

7. Take gorgeous pictures

You don't have to do this yourself—hire a professional if you need to! It may be cliche, but it's still true: a picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure the pictures of your property capture its natural beauty and entice people to take a close look.

8. Test the waters with a for sale sign

Before you get really deep into the selling process, buy a cheap sign, write your name and number on it, and stick it by the road. The right person might drive by and make you an offer! You never know unless you try.

9. Consider for-sale-by-owner versus hiring a real estate agent

Each of these options has its perks, so think about what makes sense for you. If you sell your land by yourself, you avoid paying commission to a real estate agent (although you may still have to pay the buyer's agent fee). However, there's a reason people hire real estate agents: selling land can be a lot of work. If you don't live near the land you plan to sell or have a demanding schedule, you might be better off listing it with an agent. It will save you a lot of time, and time is money.

10. Sell it online

One quick and easy option is to sell your land online. Many online land companies will offer cash for a quick sale. Internet auction sites will also auction your land to the highest bidder.

There is a lot more to selling land than just the information above, but these ten tips will get you started on the land-selling process.

---

---