Nobody wakes up in the morning and says: “I hope I get some junk mail today!”
But, here we are. You opened your mailbox and there sits a letter with a unsolicted offer to buy your vacant land.
You’ve never heard of the person or company that sent you a letter: sell land.
And, the letter says something vauge like: “I was searching the public records and found your property interesting…”
It’s kind of…odd.
At the very least, this unsolicited offer to buy your land is a quick reminder that you own something of value (that you are paying taxes on) and that someone out there wants to give you money for it.
Take a minute to consider – do you want to sell your land?
For some property owners the answer is a hard ‘no.’
These people may have grand plans for their vacant land. Or, may be actively using their land for camping, hunting or other recreation.
Other vacant land owners may be in a different situation.
They may have had a recent life event where they could use the extra cash.
Or, they simply are done with paying property taxes for a piece of property they no longer have a use for.
Consider this unsolicited letter as a reminder that you own vacant land that someone wants to buy.
Here are 5 ways to respond to this unsolicited offer…
1. Do Nothing
Pretty simple. Throw the letter away.
These land investors that send you these offers don’t want to waste their time and money sending you more and more mail.
2. Ask to be Removed from the List
If receiving these irk you then you can ask the person or company that sent you the letter to remove your information from their mailing list.
Check the letter for an email address or phone number.
Most of these letters will include some sort of reference number. Include that reference number when contacting the company. This will make it easier for the company to remove your mailing address from their marketing lists.
3. Ask the Property Appraiser to Hide Your Information
The land investor most likely got your mailing address from public records.
There are local government entities that maintain the list of all property owners for a given area for the purpose of collecting property taxes.
In most states, it’s the county (or parish) that’s responsible for assessing and collecting property taxes.
However, in some states, this is done at city or township level.
Check the property tax bill for your vacant land. Call the tax collector and ask if your mailing address can be hidden from the public records. You will want contact the property assessor (sometimes called propety appraiser) as well.
Here’s a how-to video on researching the property records to find your property’s information.
4. Call Them Back
Yes, you can safely sell your land to a land buying company you’ve never heard of.
Read our tips to sell your land online, without a real estate agent.
Most of these land investment companies are mom and pop outfits working out of their home office.
These investors can be a great resource to learn more about the value of your vacant land.
5. Get More Offers to Buy Your Land
If you’ve decided now is the time to sell your vacant land then consider filling out our form.
We’ll send your property’s information to 12 different land buyers. You could get a better cash offer than the one you received in the mail.
To reach even more potentital buyers check out our list of websites to sell your land for free.
What to Do If You Receive an Unsolicited Offer to Purchase Your Land
Discovering an unsolicited offer to buy your land in your mailbox can be unexpected and even unsettling. These offers often come from land investors or companies you’ve never heard of, using vague language like, “I came across your property in public records and found it interesting.”
While it might feel odd, such an offer serves as a reminder that your land holds value and that someone out there is willing to pay for it. This could be the perfect opportunity to evaluate whether you’re interested in selling or prefer to hold onto your property.
Here’s how you can respond to an unsolicited land offer.
Consider Your Goals
Before deciding how to respond, reflect on your plans for the property.
- If you actively use your land for camping, hunting, or recreation—or have future plans for it—you may choose not to sell.
- If the property no longer serves a purpose for you, or if you could benefit from the cash, it might be worth exploring the offer further.
Options for Responding
Ignore the Letter
The simplest approach is to do nothing. Toss the letter in the trash, and the sender will likely stop contacting you after a while.
Request Removal from the Mailing List
If these offers annoy you, contact the sender and request that your information be removed from their mailing list. Most letters include contact details such as an email address or phone number, along with a reference number. Providing this reference number can help them locate your record and stop future mailings.
Explore Options to Make Your Information Private
Land investors often gather your information from public property records maintained by local tax authorities.
- Call your county or city tax collector and ask if your mailing address can be removed from the publicly accessible database.
- Contact your property appraiser or assessor’s office to see if your ownership information can be made less visible.
If You’re Considering Selling
Call the Sender for More Details
You can safely engage with land buyers, even if they’re unfamiliar to you. Many of these companies are small, family-run operations with a focus on purchasing land for investment purposes.
- Use this opportunity to learn more about your property’s value.
- Check their reputation and ask for references or testimonials if you’re unsure about their legitimacy.
Seek Additional Offers
If you decide to sell, don’t settle for the first unsolicited offer. By filling out a form with your property details, you can reach multiple buyers and potentially receive more competitive cash offers.
- Explore free platforms to list your property online and maximize visibility.
- Read guides on how to sell land online safely and efficiently.
Final Thoughts
An unsolicited offer to purchase your land can be a convenient reminder of its value. Whether you choose to sell or keep it, consider the options available to you. If you’re ready to sell, take the time to explore additional offers and make an informed decision that aligns with your financial goals and property plans.
Fill out our form to connect with a network of interested land buyers who can help you sell your land quickly and hassle-free.