How land development really works
From "is this even buildable?" to a recorded plat: zoning and entitlements, surveys, soil and perc testing, legal access and easements, utilities, roads, subdivision, and what each step tends to cost.
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Managing land you're holding
Timber, pasture and farm leases, hunting leases, agricultural and forestry tax programs, boundaries, liability, insurance, and the maintenance that keeps a property from quietly losing value.
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What to know before you sell land
How land is actually valued, your options (list it, sell direct, owner-finance, hold), what "as-is" really means, title and probate issues, and how to spot a buyer who isn't really a buyer.
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Land & taxes
Property taxes, agricultural exemptions, capital gains on a land sale, inherited land and stepped-up basis, installment sales, 1031 exchanges — with a capital gains calculator you can try in a minute.
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Easements, access & rights-of-way
Legal vs. physical access, the types of easements, what to do about a landlocked parcel, how utility and pipeline easements affect a property, and how to create a proper recorded easement.
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Wetlands, floodplain & soils
The three physical conditions that decide what land can be used for — how to check each with free tools, what the maps mean, and what can be done when there's a problem.
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Buying land: a due diligence checklist
Desk review, title, walking the land, surveys and tests, the purchase contract, closing safely, and the mistakes buyers make most often.
Read the guideInherited land & family property
Probate and title, multiple heirs and heirs' property, the stepped-up basis, and the options for keeping, dividing, or selling family land.
Read the guideQuestions we hear most
How do I find out what my land is worth?
Land is valued by comparing recent sales of similar parcels nearby — similar size, access, terrain, utilities, and use — then adjusting for what makes yours better or worse. County assessed values are usually not market values. Our selling guide walks through how buyers and appraisers actually do it.
Can I build on my land?
It depends on zoning, legal access, whether the soil will support a septic system (or sewer is available), floodplain and wetland status, and lot size minimums. The development guide explains how to check each of those before you spend money.
Will I owe taxes if I sell?
Usually yes, on the gain (sale price minus what you paid and what you've put in). Long-term gains get lower federal rates, inherited land gets a stepped-up basis, and some states tax gains lightly or not at all. Try the capital gains calculator for an estimate.
What if I inherited land with other family members?
You can still sell, but every owner (or the estate) has to sign. Probate may need to be opened or completed first. See title and probate issues.
Questions about a specific property?
Initial consultations are free. Call, email, or submit the property for a preliminary review.