Selling land in Florida on your own is possible, but it usually takes time, organization, and patience. This guide walks through the do-it-yourself process so you understand what’s involved before deciding whether selling land by owner (FSBO) is the right path for you.
The good news is that most of the documents you need to sell land in Florida can be found online for free.
If you want a broader overview of the entire FSBO process, this step-by-step guide explains how to sell land by owner from start to finish.
If you would rather skip marketing, buyer outreach, and months of waiting, you can also see how sellers choose to sell land in Florida by submitting one property form and hearing directly from professional land investors.
1. Parcel Number
The most important piece of information about the land you want to sell in Florida is the parcel number.
Every property in Florida has one. That includes retail buildings, residential homes, vacant lots, rural acreage, and recreational land.
A parcel number can tell you:
- The size of the property in acres
- A map showing the property boundaries
- The legal owner names
- The assessed value of the property
In Florida, parcel numbers are assigned at the county level.
Each county has a government office called the Property Appraiser, whose job is to track and assess every parcel within the county. The Property Appraiser assigns a parcel number (sometimes called a Parcel ID) that uniquely identifies each property.
Examples:
- Okeechobee County:
1-09-34-33-0A00-00023-K000 - Broward County (Parcel ID):
504210020050
You will need your parcel number to sell land in Florida.
Every Florida county allows the public to look up parcel numbers online for free.
To find yours:
- Confirm the county where the property is located
- Search online for “[County Name] Property Appraiser”
- Look for links labeled “Search Records” or “Search Real Property”
Key takeaway:
You can’t sell land in Florida without the parcel number. It defines the property, verifies ownership, and is required for contracts, title work, and closing.
2. The Deed
In Florida, deeds and other official property records are maintained by the Clerk of Court, another county-level office.
One advantage of selling land in Florida is that most counties make deed records available online at no cost.
You can also search statewide records here:
https://www.myfloridacounty.com/ori/index.do
Most deeds recorded after 1990 are easy to find online.
When reviewing your deed, pay close attention to how ownership is listed. This is a legal document and accuracy matters.
If one or more owners listed on the deed has passed away, the property may need to go through probate before it can be sold. Probate can take months and cost thousands of dollars in legal fees.
However, Florida law allows ownership to transfer automatically to surviving owners if the deed includes specific language, such as:
- “Joint Tenancy With Right of Survivorship”
- “Husband and Wife”
If one of these clauses appears on the deed, the deceased owner’s interest typically transfers to the surviving owner without probate.
Key takeaway:
Your deed determines who has the legal right to sell the land. Before moving forward, confirm that the ownership names are accurate and understand whether probate is required. Issues at the deed level are one of the most common reasons Florida land sales get delayed or fail.
This content is informational only. We are not attorneys and are not providing legal advice.
3. Purchase and Sale Agreement
A Purchase and Sale Agreement is the contract between you and your buyer.
While agents and attorneys often use long contracts, a Purchase and Sale Agreement can be simple and fit on a single page.
You do not need an attorney to draft one, and most title companies will accept a straightforward agreement.
A signed Purchase and Sale Agreement is required for a title company to begin its work.
At a minimum, it should include:
- Parcel number
- Names of current property owners (as shown on the deed)
- Names and mailing addresses of buyers
- Purchase price
- Target closing date
- Who pays closing costs
- Who pays property taxes
- Any earnest money deposit
Key Items Explained
Parcel Number
Write it exactly as it appears on the Property Appraiser’s website.
Owner Names
Match the deed exactly. Even small discrepancies can delay closing.
Closing Date
Most Florida title companies need one to three weeks. Including language like “or within a reasonable time” allows flexibility if title work takes longer.
Purchase Price
The gross amount agreed upon before closing costs and taxes are deducted.
Closing Costs
Closing costs typically include title fees, recording taxes, and title insurance. These can be:
- Paid by the buyer
- Paid by the seller
- Split between both parties
Property Taxes
Past-due taxes are typically paid by the seller and can be deducted from proceeds at closing. Current-year taxes are negotiated between buyer and seller and prorated based on the closing date.
Once both parties sign the agreement, it’s time to select a title company.
Key takeaway:
A Florida land sale does not require a complicated contract, but it does require a clear one. A simple, accurate Purchase and Sale Agreement gives the title company what it needs to move the transaction forward and prevents misunderstandings between buyer and seller.
Working With a Title Company in Florida
Florida does not require a real estate attorney for most land transactions. Title companies handle the majority of closings.
A title company:
- Verifies ownership
- Identifies liens or issues
- Handles escrow
- Records the deed
- Ensures funds are properly distributed
Typical cost ranges from $600 to $1,000, depending on purchase price.
It is often best to work with a title company located in the same county as the property, as they are familiar with local records and procedures.
Key takeaway:
In Florida, title companies handle most land transactions. Choosing a local title company early helps uncover ownership issues, liens, or tax problems before they slow down or derail the sale.
How to Sell Land in Florida: What to Expect
Selling land on your own in Florida works best for owners who are comfortable with:
- Longer timelines
- Pricing uncertainty
- Buyer follow-up and negotiation
- Contracts and paperwork coordination
Even well-priced land can take months to sell, and buyers may fall through late in the process.
If that sounds like more work than you want to take on, many sellers choose a simpler route.
You can compare options by submitting one form and seeing how professional investors approach selling land in Florida without listing, marketing, or ongoing outreach.
Key takeaway:
Selling land on your own often means longer timelines, more uncertainty, and more hands-on work. Understanding these tradeoffs upfront helps you decide whether FSBO is worth the effort or if a simpler selling option makes more sense.
