4 Reasons You Need a Land Real Estate Agent

Selling land is different from selling a house. There are multiple property types—recreational land, farmland, rural land, ranch land, residential, commercial, or industrial development land, just to name a few—and each requires special knowledge and a unique skill set to sell for a fair price. That’s why when it’s time to sell your land, no matter what type it is, you should partner with a real estate agent experienced in selling land. 

These agents are land specialists who know how to value and prepare your property so you get fair market value at sale time. They can also save you lots of time and money by taking over the sales process so all you have to do is accept a winning bid. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what land real estate agents do, how they make your life easier, and how to choose the right agent to work with. 

What Does a Land Real Estate Agent Do?

Land agents specialize in assisting clients with buying and selling different types of land. Some agents might have particular specialties, especially if they work for a niche land broker, but others have experience selling multiple types of land real estate. 

For sellers, these agents help you value and list your land through channels where you’re likely to get the best offers. This might be on the traditional market, through listing websites, or at an auction. For buyers, land agents help you locate, compare, and purchase properties that suit your needs.

Remember, not all real estate agents have experience buying and selling land. So when it’s time to list your property, make sure you find someone who’s sold land before and knows the ins and outs of the process.

Benefits of Working With a Real Estate Agent

When buying or selling land, you want the same advantages as you would when looking at residential real estate. Working with a land agent can get you those advantages plus some added bonuses.

Saves Time

Although land sales are different from home sales, the preparation to create and post a listing is similar in that it’s still a good bit of work. Your land agent will save you time by taking over the process for you. They’ll work on valuing your property, recommending any maintenance, taking pictures and videos, and listing it online. From there, they’ll even manage the sales process and negotiate with buyers so you only have to consider the very best offers. 

A land agent knows what information is most valuable to potential buyers, so it saves a tremendous amount of time and effort on your end. You can focus on pulling all the most relevant information and providing upfront answers to basic questions buyers will likely ask. This keeps you from spending hours giving the same information to multiple people because you already have what they need compiled and attached to your listing. 

Auctioning your land can save you even more time because you’re able to set your sale date. This process can be complex, though, so it’s important you work with a professional to ensure you have all the necessary information and set up your auction in your best interest. 

Better Prices

Just like if you were selling your family home, you can get a better price for your land if you use a real estate agent. Agents know the market well and have a better idea of what you can reasonably sell your land for. Prices can vary greatly in the land market based on your type of property. For example, commercial properties will sell for more than vacant land because they’re already set up for business use.

The best way to get fair market value for your land, no matter the property type, is through auction. The bidding starts low and the market demand decides your final price, which means it’s the easiest way to sell for the true value of your property. Your land agent can help you choose properties worth bidding on and help you navigate through the closing process when you purchase a piece of land.

Professional Investigators

Whether you’re buying or selling land, there’s a lot of leg work involved. A land real estate agent takes the time to check out potential properties, take pictures, and make estimates so you don’t have to worry about wasting your weekend on these tasks. Plus, your agent will know what to look for in a piece of land to make sure it meets your needs.

Their experience in land transactions also makes it easier for them to investigate a worthwhile price for your land. If you’re selling, they can show you what might add or take away value from your property. If you’re buying, they can research what similar land properties in the area have sold for to make sure you don’t overpay. All in all, let your agent do the research to save time and get some expert advice.

Sales Managers

Agents also save you time by managing the entire course of the land sale. They’ll field bids, talk to buyers, and negotiate deals so you don’t have to worry about managing your property 24/7. Your real estate agent is equally invested in the sale of your land and will work hard to make sure it moves off the market as quickly as possible.

As we mentioned before, auctions are a great way to sell your property quickly and for a good price. But the bidding process can be confusing and there are quite a few steps if you’re doing things right. Working with an auction group’s land agent gives you the best of both worlds. They know the ins and outs of the auction process and how to sell land, so they can walk you through the whole process.

Qualities of an Effective Real Estate Agent

You can see how working with a land agent is more beneficial than going directly to a land brokerage or trying to sell on your own. The next step is knowing how to evaluate a potential agent. This person will be your partner throughout the sales process, so you want to make sure it’s someone you can rely on and whom you trust.

As you speak with potential land agents and read what previous customers have to say about their service, there are three qualities that you should look for:

• Responsiveness: Your real estate agent should always be available to answer your calls and your questions. You should never be left wondering where you are in the sales process.
• Experience: This shouldn’t be their first rodeo. You need an agent who has experience buying and selling land, especially at auction if you choose that route. Selling land is different from selling other properties and you want someone who knows what they’re doing.
• Knowledge: Your agent should know about opportunities and the health of the market in your area. They should make informed suggestions about the best way to sell your land and be able to explain their thought process to you.

These three characteristics are good indicators that your real estate agent will get the job done. Plus, if they have the power of an agency or auction group behind them, it means you’ll have access to even more resources that can help you get the best price for your land.

Sell Your Land the Smart Way

Don’t waste time trying to sell your land by yourself. Reach out to a professional to help you navigate the process and take some of the research and leg work off your plate. That’s how you get the best price for your land.
Remember that traditional sale isn’t your only option. Land auctions are a great alternative that can often help you sell even higher than on the traditional market. At Wiregrass Auction Group, we have experience selling multiple land types in our area. Contact us today to see how we can help you sell your land!