When selling your land, it’s important to have the most trusted advisors supporting you and helping you get the most out of your sale. However, this may be easier than it sounds. You could find a broker fairly easily, but without the proper research as to their qualifications and experience in selling rural property, you could be stuck with someone who isn’t right for you or your property.
Selling a piece of land is sometimes the largest transaction owners will make in their lives. Likewise, prospective buyers want to know that they are getting their money’s worth when they put their name on the dotted line to take over ownership of the property. That’s why having a land broker who is knowledgeable of the business and has the necessary accreditation is key to a seamless sale.
What to know in advance
A capable land broker will be well-versed in all aspects of selling your land, and will always put the interests of their client before their own. According to Brian Smith of Mossy Oak Properties of the Heartland, one red flag regarding this is if brokers are more concerned with talking down their competitors as opposed to helping you sell your property.
At the end of the day, all that matters is that the deal is closed in accordance with the law and your property is transferred over to a new owner. If a broker doesn’t seem up to the duty, then it could be better to turn elsewhere.
For the most part, you will know ahead of time just how valuable a broker can be, and choosing the right one to assist you is largely a matter of knowing who to contact and who to trust.
“[A broker’s] reputation and integrity will always precede them,” said Smith. “Their reputation will always step forward.”
Brokers won’t get very far in their careers if they have a history of shortselling clients and being disingenuous. If you think there might be a problem working with a certain broker, then you should probably trust your instincts.
Taking a broker’s advice
If you’re in the market for a broker to help you in your sale, then brokers should be able to bring something to the table that immediately benefits your prospects.
For instance, Smith indicated brokers at Mossy Oak Properties have a large database of contacts in addition to pointers that can help you out from the start. As an example, knowing the type of land up for sale and the surrounding area is key to pricing your land within the right range.
“Location is one of the biggest factors in determining the value of any piece of property,” said Smith.
Further, some of the more important factors specific to location that can increase the listing price include:
- proximity to a metropolitan area
- accessibility throughout the property
- close to a river or lake
Additionally, Smith suggested trail cameras and proven histories of trophy whitetails can also directly lead to a higher listing price. Capable brokers will also be able to point out possible issues that may impact the sale of the property, such as title issues.
Making the call
If you’ve factored in all the equations to securing the best deal for your property, then the completion of that deal will come down to the fine print in the details. A land specialist at Mossy Oak Properties can also help in this regard because they have the experience and the background knowledge to know a good deal when they see it.
When asked what kind of accreditation a broker should have, Smith replied: “Most definitely the Mossy Oak Properties land specialist training certification.”
When selling your land, it’s vital that you don’t leave your property decisions in the hands of someone who doesn’t have your best interest in mind, or doesn’t have a proven track record as a capable land specialist. Choosing a broker who is not capable could prove to be very costly. Getting a deal that is fair to you and provides you with a profitable return on your investment should be the ultimate goal. Settling for less will only hurt your future financial prospects.
Contact a Mossy Oak Properties land specialist today for the best results.
