Land Seller Guides

Straight answers to the questions sellers ask us most, with sources.

• Should my land sell for at least the county assessed value?

  No. Assessed value is a tax number, often a set fraction of market value or years out of date. Land sells for what buyers pay, above or below it.

• What closing costs does a seller pay when selling land, and who pays them?

  Land sellers usually pay any agent commission, their share of transfer tax, prorated property tax and liens. The contract and local custom decide the rest.

• How do you sell land with co-owners or heirs?

  Inherited or co-owned land can be sold, but every owner of record, a court-appointed representative or a court order must sign off. Here is how.

• How much earnest money should a land buyer put down?

  Earnest money on land is a good-faith deposit set by the contract, held by a title company or attorney and credited to the price at closing.

• How much will a cash buyer offer for my land, and why is it lower than retail?

  A cash land buyer usually offers below full retail value in exchange for speed and certainty. Here is how the number is built and how to compare offers.

• How long does it take to sell land?

  Sold land listings spent 89 to 243 days on the market on average, by state, in recent data. A cash sale with clear title can close in a few weeks.

• Are land buying companies legit, and how do I check a buyer before I sell?

  Many land buying companies are real businesses, and some are not. Check state registration, a written contract, a title company and no upfront fees.

• What should I do if a land buyer stops responding after making an offer?

  Check your signed contract first: its deadlines, earnest money and termination terms decide your next step. Then follow up once in writing and move on.

• What should I check in a land purchase agreement before I sign it?

  Before you sign a land purchase agreement, check price, earnest money, inspection period, contingencies, closing date, costs, assignment and title company.

• Can I sell my land to a cash buyer while it is listed with a realtor?

  Usually yes, but under an exclusive right to sell listing you may still owe your broker the commission. Here is how each listing type works.

• Can I sell land that has unpaid back property taxes?

  Yes, you can sell land with unpaid property taxes. The back taxes are paid from the sale price at closing, as long as your right to redeem has not ended.

• How do I sell land without a realtor?

  Yes, you can sell land without a realtor. Sell by owner, at auction or to a direct buyer, and close through a title company or real estate attorney.

• Should I sell my vacant land now or hold it for it to go up in value?

  Hold land if you can carry the yearly costs and growth is coming. Sell if taxes and dues add up, you have no plan, or the cash does more elsewhere.

• What are the steps to sell land to a cash buyer?

  Selling land to a cash buyer takes 7 steps, from written offer to title search, deed signing and payment by wire or check from the title company.

• How much is my land worth?

  Your land is worth what similar parcels nearby recently sold for, adjusted for size, access, utilities, zoning and flood zone. See price per acre by state.