Looking to sell vacant land in the mountains of Western North Carolina, but don’t know where to start? We get it – selling land isn’t the same as selling a home, so you might be confused as to what steps to take. That’s where the team at Freestone Properties comes in. As WNC locals, we’re very familiar with the area, and we have a wide variety of active land listings at all times. We’ve helped many people market and sell vacant mountain land over the years, so we’ve compiled some guidelines below on how to improve the value of a piece of land, along with a list of steps to follow as you prepare to sell.
First things first: What Adds the Most Value to Vacant Land?
Before you start marketing your property, it’s important to be aware of features that add value to vacant land. Here are three of the most desirable attributes that can raise your property’s value:
1. Easy access to the property
Accessibility is key. For larger tracts not in a subdivision or neighborhood, it’s important for the access to be clear and obvious to buyers. A functional gate and a well-defined road or trail that is free from fallen branches and debris will make a good first impression on buyers who come to tour your property. The smoother their experience, the better!
Clearing safe pathways throughout your property will increase its value.
2. Clearly marked boundary lines
It’s crucial to have your land’s boundaries clearly marked with flags so that buyers know exactly what they’ll get if they decide to purchase. Any uncertainty on the boundary lines can create doubt in a buyer’s mind (especially if there could be potential disputes with neighbors). If you aren’t certain of your property’s boundaries, hire a surveyor (more on that below).
3. Special aspects that make your property stand out
As you might expect, the more unique and desirable aspects of your property, the higher the value. If your land includes a picturesque stream, a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a small waterfall, or other natural highlights, you can expect to receive more for your property than you would otherwise. Do you own a waterfront lot with access to Lake James or Lake Lure? Your land will be highly valuable to those dreaming of building a lake house. If your land is a potential recreation area that could be used for hunting, well-kept deer stands and food plots can add value.
4. Location, Topography, and Views
In the Asheville market, most land sales are in residential subdivisions. The factors that typically have the greatest effect on value are the location of the neighborhood, the topography of the lot, and the view potential. Neighborhoods with easy access to Asheville (or other downtown communities), or with lots of amenities command a higher price. The next feature that increases value is the topography of the lot. Gently sloped or level lots are much easier (and less expensive) to build on than lots with steep slope. However, steeper lots are more likely to have better long-range views, and also better control of those views. The “holy grail” of lots are the ones with great views and gentle slope. Of course, these lots are scarce and sell for premium prices.
What Causes Low Land Value?
Just as there are things that can increase your property value, there are things that can drag its value down. These include:
- Trails that have washed away over time, making them difficult to traverse
- Roads with potholes, debris and fallen branches
- Trash and broken equipment strewn throughout the property
- Overgrown grassy areas
- Fences and gates in disrepair
Keep in mind that today’s buyers are commonly looking for land where this isn’t a lot of work to be done to get the land ready for construction, other than typical site grading. Take some time to prepare your property. By cleaning it up and ensuring it’s ready for its next owner, you should see a financial return in the final sale price.
Ensure there’s room for a buyer and their agent to park and enter your property with no hassle.
Preparing to Sell Your Vacant Land in NC
Now that you know how to increase your land’s value, you can prepare to sell your land with the following steps:
1. Consider your land’s potential uses.
Knowing how your land may be used is key to marketing it correctly. Consider your property’s topology, size and shape, the neighboring land, the surrounding area, and the natural resources on the property. We can usually classify land buyers in Western NC into four main groups: investors (who may buy and hold land for a few years or more), developers, those looking for a place to build a home, and those looking for recreational property for hunting and fishing. This list isn’t exclusive, however; depending on your land, you may attract buyers with less common intentions. For instance, if you have a plot with open, grassy fields, you might sell your property to those looking to establish a small farm.
Your land’s new tenants might be of the four-legged variety.
2. Contact an experienced real estate agent.
Even though you aren’t selling a home, it’s still in your best interest to work with an experienced real estate agent when selling. An agent will help you accurately price your property in relation to the local market, ensuring you receive the best possible price for your land. When it comes to marketing and showing a piece of land, an agent’s experience and connections are invaluable. Here at Freestone Properties, our agents regularly work with clients looking to sell land, and we would love to work with you, too.
One of our favorite things to do with land clients is to strategize on how to maximize the value of a parcel. Sometimes this can be something fairly simple like trimming some trees or bush-hogging an old roughed-in driveway to make the land easy to walk on. Other times, we might consult with the local municipality to see if we can subdivide the land into multiple parcels. This strategy sometimes works with existing homes as well, if the parcel is large enough to “cut off” a section to be sold separately. Many land owners are surprised to find out what smaller lots sell for in the Asheville area.
3. Get a survey.
As previously mentioned, having your land surveyed is crucial. A survey will define your property’s boundaries, as well as any easements or encroachments that may exist. In addition to this, many buyers will need survey information in order to get a loan to buy your property. At the very least, it makes it much easier for a buyer (and a buyer’s agent) to really know what they are looking at when touring your land. It can also make the lot closing take place much sooner. Since it could make or break a sale, hiring a reputable surveyor is a worthwhile investment.
A survey will give buyers a clear picture of your land’s boundaries.
4. Take high-quality photos.
Buyers, especially those who aren’t located in the WNC area, will want to see comprehensive photos of your land before coming to visit. As agents, we always stress the importance of high-quality images when listing land. We recommend photos throughout your property, being sure to highlight any notable features that will make your land stand out. We like to include approximate property lines and some photos of neighborhood amenities, if applicable.
Connect with Our Team to Sell Your Land for Sale in NC
Selling your land doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With some preparation and consideration – and the help of a knowledgeable agent – you can sell your vacant land quickly and for the right price. Whether you have a clear idea of your property’s future use, or you have no idea what your land is suited for, we’re here to help.
