Is it time to sell your vacant land? Use these three websites to help determine how much you should sell your land for.
And…the best part is all of these websites are free!
1. Property Appraiser’s Website
The first website to visit is the Property Appraiser’s website.
Every piece of property in the US has a dollar value attached to it.
It’s the job of the local Property Appraiser to determine this value.
In most states, the Property Appraiser is at the county level.
However, in some areas of the country, Property Appraiser work at the city or township-level.
You’ll first need to identify who the Property Appraiser is for the area where you vacant land is located.
Once you’re at the Property Appraiser’s website you’ll want to lookup the Parcel Number (sometimes called a Parcel ID or Tax Map Number) for your vacant land.
This number is unique to your property.
This Parcel Number will be need to be included on the legal documents you sign when it comes time to sell.
In addition to finding the Parcel Number you can find the property’s assessed value on the Property Appraiser’s site.
The assessed value is used to determine how much in property tax is to be paid.
Some Property Appraiser’s also determine and provide a market value.
This market value is what the Property Appraiser thinks the property would sell for in a typical, ‘retail’ sale.
The values determined by the Property Appraisers can be wildly inaccurate from true market conditions.
And, some county or township Property Appraisers do an excellent job of determine true value of a property.
At least knowing the assessed (and, even better the market value) published by the property appraiser is a starting point in figuring out how much you should sell your land for.
Click here for some helpful tips on finding your property’s Parcel Number.
2. Zillow
Zillow is one of the largest real estate websites on the web.
What makes Zillow great is that it compiles all the listings on the MLS (properties being sold by a real estate agent) and For Sale by Owner listings.
Many vacant land owners prefer to bypass a real estate agent and sell their vacant land on their own.
For this reason Zillow is a go-to website to understand what price vacant land is selling for in a given area.
Here are some tips on navigating Zillow…
- Start by looking at the active listings for vacant land in the geographical area where your property is located.
- Try to find listing that are similar in property size.
- Take note of how long the property has been on the market. If the property is on the market for 100+ days that’s a sign that the property may be overpriced.
- Does the listing have a lot of ‘views’ and ‘saves’? If the property doesn’t have over 100 views that’s a sign that there may not be much demand for vacant land in this area.
- Toggle over to the ‘Other Listings’ view within Zillow to see any For Sale By Owner listings.
3. We Buy Land Sites
There are dozens of “We Buy Vacant Land” websites out there.
Behind these websites is a real estate investor that focuses on buying vacant land.
You can submit your vacant land property’s information through the website and have a real estate investor provide a cash offer to buy your vacant land.
These “We Buy Land” websites won’t offer full ‘retail’ value for your property (they are investors) but could be an option to explore if you’re looking for a quick and easy sale.
And, the price these investors offer you can give you a ‘rock bottom’ number to help you determine the right price for you to sell.
You can save some time and headache by submitting your vacant land’s information on our website!
Unlike other We Buy Land websites, SellTheLandNow.com connects you with 12 different investors all at one website.
Click here and fill out our form and investors will send you their cash offers.
What about calling a real estate agent in the area to help determine a price?
We highlighted some of the reasons real estate agents might not be the best option to help sell your vacant land in this article.
If you do want to hire an agent to list your property or at least give you an idea of what they think the property will sell for then take the time to find an agent who has sold vacant land in the area in the past.
Most agents are focused on selling houses and may not have strong experience in pricing vacant land in the area.
Advanced Strategies to Determine How Much to Sell Your Land For
Pricing your vacant land correctly is critical to attracting buyers and maximizing your profit. Beyond the original methods outlined, there are additional strategies and tools you can use to ensure your land is competitively priced and aligned with market conditions. Here’s how you can take the process a step further.
1. Look Beyond the Property Appraiser’s Website
While the Property Appraiser’s website provides a useful starting point, additional resources can give you a more comprehensive view of your land’s value:
- Comparable Sales Data: Use your county’s public records or online databases like Redfin or Realtor.com to find recent sales of similar properties in your area. These offer a real-world perspective on pricing trends.
- Tax Assessor’s Market Value Accuracy: Understand how your local tax assessor values properties. Some counties undervalue properties for tax purposes, meaning the assessed value could be significantly lower than what buyers might pay.
- Understand Zoning Impacts: Zoning laws can affect your land’s value significantly. Residential, commercial, or agricultural zoning often attracts different types of buyers at varying price points.
Pro Tip: Combine multiple sources of data to develop a well-rounded pricing strategy that considers both assessed value and real-world market trends.
2. Analyze Market Demand with Multiple Platforms
While Zillow is a fantastic tool for research, there are other platforms that offer valuable insights into buyer interest and regional demand:
- LandWatch and Land.com: These platforms specialize in listing land for sale and often include niche data such as buyer demographics and demand trends.
- Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace: These tools can help you gauge local interest in land sales, especially for smaller or rural properties.
- Google Trends: Search for terms like “buy vacant land” or “land for sale [your area]” to see how often people are searching for land in your location.
Smart Strategy: Monitor both national and local platforms to understand how demand in your area compares to broader trends.
3. Assess Land Use and Development Potential
To price your land effectively, highlight its unique features and potential uses:
- Development-Ready Land: Land with road access, utilities, or zoning approvals can command a premium price.
- Agricultural or Timber Value: If your property includes fertile soil, timber, or other natural resources, research its agricultural or resource value.
- Recreational Opportunities: Hunting land, fishing spots, or properties with scenic views often attract niche buyers willing to pay more.
Pro Tip: Include these features prominently in your listings and marketing efforts to differentiate your property from others in the area.
4. Use “We Buy Land” Offers as a Pricing Benchmark
We Buy Land websites provide more than just a quick sale—they also offer insight into your land’s base value.
- Understand Investor Pricing: While these offers won’t reflect full market value, they can help you determine a fair “floor price” for your property.
- Explore Multiple Offers: Platforms like SellTheLandNow.com, which connect you to 12 investors, allow you to see a range of offers and evaluate trends in buyer interest.
Smart Strategy: Use these offers as a baseline to negotiate better deals with other buyers or to validate your pricing expectations.
5. Consider Hiring a Land Appraiser
For a more precise valuation, a professional land appraiser can assess your property’s unique characteristics.
- Tailored Valuations: Appraisers consider zoning, location, size, and market conditions to provide an accurate price.
- Boost Buyer Confidence: Having an appraisal report can reassure buyers that your price is fair and reasonable.
Pro Tip: While appraisals have a cost, they can be a worthwhile investment, especially for high-value or complex properties.
Additional Pricing Tips for Vacant Land
- Price Aggressively: If you want to sell quickly, consider pricing slightly below market value to attract cash buyers and drive faster interest.
- Time Your Sale Strategically: Market demand for land can fluctuate seasonally, with spring and summer often being peak times for buyers.
- Highlight Key Selling Points: When marketing your land, emphasize features like proximity to major roads, local attractions, or utility access to justify your asking price.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pricing Vacant Land
Q: How do zoning laws affect land pricing?
A: Zoning laws determine what can be built on the land, which heavily influences buyer interest and pricing. For example, commercial-zoned properties often command higher prices than agricultural land.
Q: Are smaller parcels harder to sell?
A: Smaller parcels can sell quickly if priced correctly and marketed to the right audience, such as first-time land buyers or recreational users.
Q: Should I price my land differently for cash buyers?
A: Yes, cash buyers often expect a discount for fast closings. Offering a competitive price can attract these buyers and speed up your sale.
Ready to Sell Your Land Confidently?
Pricing your vacant land doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By using tools like Property Appraiser websites, platforms like Zillow and LandWatch, and professional resources like appraisers, you can develop a pricing strategy that meets market demand while maximizing your profit.
Looking for an easy and fast sale? SellTheLandNow.com connects you with professional buyers who provide competitive cash offers. Fill out our form today to receive offers from 12 trusted land buyers and take the first step toward a hassle-free sale!