10 Ways to Sell Your Land Faster in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's land market has seen significant changes in recent years, presenting both opportunities and challenges for landowners looking to sell. According to the USDA's Land Values 2023 Summary, the average value of farm real estate in Wisconsin increased by 9.9% from 2022 to 2023, reaching $5,500 per acre. This upward trend in land values, coupled with the state's diverse landscape of forests, farmland, and waterfront properties, has created a dynamic market for raw land sales. However, with an average time on market of 180 days for rural land listings in the Midwest, sellers need effective strategies to stand out in a competitive environment. By implementing the following ten techniques, landowners can potentially accelerate their sales process and maximize their property's appeal to potential buyers in the Badger State.

10 Tips to Sell Your Land Faster in Wisconsin

Get Your Property Details in Order

Before listing your land, take time to get all the specifics in order. Having property details handy allows you to accurately market your land and answer buyer questions.

Important info includes:

• Exact acreage. Buyers will fact check this. Overestimating acreage could make them walk away.
• Full legal description. This lengthy description precisely identifies property boundaries.
• Property survey. Banks often require a survey when financing land deals. Do this upfront to avoid closing delays.
• Titles and deeds. Gather ownership documentation proving your right to sell the land.
• Property easements or right-of-ways. Disclose any existing access rights to the land by utilities, government or other parties.
• Tax details. Have property tax ID numbers and annual tax estimates available.
• Special property amenities. Note any equipment or infrastructure (wells, fencing, etc.) that adds value.

Price Your Property To Sell

Overpricing is one of the biggest mistakes Wisconsin land sellers make. With hundreds of thousands of rural acres for sale in Wisconsin, overpriced land just won’t move.

• Start with a Comparative Market Analysis from a real estate agent. Recent land sales in the county give an accurate picture of current local land values.
• List at or slightly below market average. Don’t expect to set a new high bar in the current market.
• Consider discounted pricing for less desirable tracts that lack access, have unfarmable soil or sit in flood plains. Development potential can override some drawbacks.
• Weigh offers promptly and avoid getting emotionally attached to a certain sale price. The market sets the price.

Select the Best Real Estate Agent for Rural Land

A good agent markets specifically to land buyers, not just general real estate consumers.

• Search for brokers who focus specifically on farms, recreational land and rural real estate. Their targeted buyer network gives better exposure.
• Look for certification such as Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) which requires special land expertise, experience and ethics.
• Ask about their rural land marketing plan beyond standard MLS listings and lawn signs. Do they have unique access to qualified land buyers? How do they tap into those buyer networks?

Utilize Targeted Land Marketing Strategies

MLS, Zillow and public online listings reach limited land buyers. Just sticking a For Sale sign on your land won’t cut it either. You need targeted marketing directly reaching the most likely buyers.

• Invest in professional signage placed along well-traveled local routes where allowed. Interested buyers will note the phone numbers.
• List with niche land selling sites like Lands of America to reach serious land shoppers.
• Advertise in specialty publications focused on rural lifestyle interests like farming, ranching, forestry and hunting recreational lands. Their readers are prime prospects.
  Consider auction listing sites which create total transparency on buyer interest and bidding wars to drive prices up.

Highlight X Factors Attracting Buyers

Land buyers have diverse interests driving their purchase decision. Understand what motivates different niche buyers.

For example, emphasize:

• Development potential for future house sites, commercial buildings or even community development.
• Quality wildlife or habitat for hunting recreational properties.
• Farming potential based on soil quality, drainage, and access to irrigation.
• Scenic views and other geographic detail of interest to “lifestyle” land buyers wanting to live in the country.
• Privacy and seclusion for those seeking their own retreat away from crowded cities.

Prepare Your Land for Showings

First impressions matter when selling land. Your property needs to look appealing when potential buyers come view it.

• Mow access paths and clear walking trails to key areas prospects will want to view up close.
• Clean up any brush, debris or eyesores that detract from natural beauty and build out visions.
• Stage the property by building a firepit with seats, placing a temporary tiny house or starting fencing in one area. This sparks ideas of what they could do with the land.
• For wooded acreage, consider selective thinning or trimming by forestry crews to open it up and show off soaring mature trees.

Provide Proof of Clear Title

Nothing kills a land deal faster than title problems. Pre-empt headaches by having clear title confirmed before listing your Wisconsin property.

• Research property history to confirm no one else has right of ownership tied to your land.
• Order title insurance or professional title searches by legal counsel. This protects buyers from inheriting outstanding claims against the property later.
• Review title exceptions and confirm whether minor utility or access easements transfer with the sale.
• Pay off any loans, back taxes or liens on the land to provide a free-and-clear title at closing. Buyers won’t finalize sales until you clear title issues.

Consider Owner Financing For Qualified Buyers

Not all buyers can qualify for traditional property loans and 20-30% down payments. Expand your buyer pool by offering owner financing.

• Seller financed deals allow buyers to make lower down payments, skipping high fees of traditional bank loans. You collect interest as well as the property sale amount.
• Work with a real estate attorney to structure responsible repayment terms and protections for you as the financing owner.
• Look for buyers with solid credit history and income even if they lack funds for a large down payment. Carefully screen applicants for ability to handle monthly payments.
• Be upfront about approval criteria and complete background checks before finalizing a contract.

Weigh Advantages of Land Contracts

Land contracts allow buyers to purchase properties over longer terms until the full price is paid. This also expands qualified buyers.

• Land contracts break payments into smaller chunks spread over 5-10 years or whatever term you accept.
• Contracts allow buyers to take possession and start building on the land after smaller down payments around 20%.
• Each installment payment builds more ownership equity until final payment transfers full deed and title.
• Work with real estate attorneys to structure agreements protecting your rights if buyers fail to make payments.

Consider Creative Listing Options

Alternative sale methods like auctions, lease-to-own and fractional sales also work well for certain land plots and buyer situations.

• Auction sites like Bid4Assets allow government entities, banks and individuals to list property for online bidding wars. Higher transparency often drives prices above market.
• Lease-to-own agreements let buyers lease the property for several years while simultaneously building “credits” from lease fees that ultimately go towards the full purchase amount.
• Fractional sales allow multiple buyers to purchase a portion of larger land parcels. This offers an affordable way for small investors to tap into land ownership.

Unloading vacant land takes patience and persistence. But following these targeted selling strategies tailored for Wisconsin streamlines the process so you can move your property faster. Selling land is not easy, so consider options like Land Boss that will purchase properties directly with cash saving you major hassles. But if going the selling route, these tips will help you successfully close a deal without getting stuck with an unused property dragging on for years.

Final Thoughts

Selling vacant land presents unique challenges compared to traditional home sales. Without structures and occupants to showcase, land can linger on the market for years if not priced and promoted properly. Following these 10 targeted selling strategies tailored for Wisconsin cuts through the complexity to reach motivated buyers more quickly. Focus on accurate pricing, niche marketing directly to land buyers, and leveraging creative terms to expand your buyer pool. Preparing land for showings, proving clear title, and highlighting the property’s best attributes also helps attract buyers faster to your Wisconsin acreage or parcel. With the right approach, you can successfully sell your rural holdings in a reasonable time frame. For those seeking to unload land hassle-free, companies like Land Boss purchase properties directly for cash allowing you to move on without the sales burdens. But for sellers willing to invest some time and effort, these expert tips will guide you through closing a winning land deal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What's the fastest way to sell my Wisconsin land? 

The fastest way is typically to accurately price your land at or slightly below comparable market value. Overpricing leads properties to sit unsold for years before sellers realize they must reduce. Also utilize targeted marketing and listing sites that reach the most serious land buyers.

Should I get my land surveyed before selling in Wisconsin? 

Yes, having an official surveyed plat completed upfront prevents title issues down the road. Many banks financing buyers require surveys to lend. Taking care of this early keeps your deal on track to close faster.

Is owner financing risky when selling my Wisconsin farmland? 

There are risks if financing terms aren't structured properly with a real estate attorney's help. Require sizeable down payments of 25% or more. Thoroughly vet buyers’ credit, income and ability to handle payments. Build in protections like title liens so you can reclaim land if payments stop.

What are the steps to sell inherited property in Wisconsin? 

First, file proper probate court paperwork to transfer the title and deed into your name as official inheriting owner. Pay any outstanding taxes. Gather all property details. Clear any ownership disputes amongst heirs. Then move forward with pricing, listings and a realtor experienced in selling inherited lands.

Should I consider offers from real estate investors or companies when selling land in Wisconsin? 

Yes, investors and land companies can make solid offers since they buy properties sight unseen. They have cash on hand and allow you to close faster without sales hassles. Still weigh options against listing prices to ensure reasonable compensation. Don't assume cash offers are necessarily low bids.

‍