Selling Land? What You Need to Know

Posted by Justin Havre on Friday, November 16th, 2018 at 8:00am.

Everything You Need to Know About Selling LandSelling land is very different from selling a pre-existing home. The market is slower, buyers look for different things and the staging process is very different as well. Understanding the process can help land owners sell their property more quickly and for the best price possible.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Be Ready for a Wait

Land takes longer to sell than a pre-existing home. There are fewer people in the market for land, because many people want to move into a home without putting in the effort to build. Land will sell over time if it is offered at a fair and competitive price, but the land owner must go through a different process in order to make the sale. Ultimately, the land owner must be ready for a wait.

Staging Brings Out the Potential

It surprises many land owners when they find out that land can—and should be—staged. Land must be made to look its best before the buyers come. Staging generally involves removing weeds, planting wild grasses, taking out dead shrubs and removing garbage.

Some property owners will plant wild flowers to make their plot of land more attractive. Usually, old growth trees are left in place, since some buyers may find those trees desirable.

Any trash or debris that is not a part of the plot of land should be removed before any buyers come to see the property. It may seem small, but trash makes the plot seem forgotten, unloved and undesirable.

Write a Detailed Listing

The listing for a plot of land should include a variety of details to help the potential buyer decide whether or not the plot is for them. Size, dimensions, proximity to nearest neighbour, proximity to nearest businesses and zoning information all help. In addition, many buyers also look for information about features like nearby bodies of water, how many trees are on the property and how quiet or well-placed the plot of land is.

Price the Plot Right

Pricing land for sale properly is difficult when selling land, because there are often fewer comparables on the market, and comparing one plot to another can be challenging anyway. Working with a real estate agent can help a land owner ensure that they've listed their property for a fair price.

Professional Photographs Draw Buyers

One of the mistakes that many land owners make when listing their property for sale is not providing enough good quality photographs. Professional real estate photos show the potential of the land to the buyer before they ever come out for a tour. It's important to provide many photographs, taken from different angles.

Often, buyers like to see aerial shots that show the layout of the land and its relationship to nearby towns, the road, neighbourhoods and so on. Pictures of water features attracts many people.

Sometimes it helps to wait until a desirable time of year when the land looks its best. Taking shots of the land when the grass is dry in summer, or taking pictures of the land when it is covered in snow can leave buyers dissatisfied by the photographs. Taking shots in spring when the grass is green and growth is abundant is preferable.

Work With a Real Estate Professional

It helps to work with a Bow Ridge real estate professional when listing land for sale. For more information about how to get started selling a plot of land, contact a reputable real estate agent in your area today. Your real estate agent can help you get started with a listing and the pricing of your plot.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

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