Selling Commercial Land in Georgia (The Easy Way)

As one of the fastest growing states for both businesses and population over the past decade, Georgia presents prime opportunities to capitalize on high demand for commercial real estate space. Driven by major corporate relocations, small business incubators and regional developers planning large mixed-use projects, vacant commercially-zoned land plots now generate fierce bidding wars that signify robust ROI potential for owners listing strategically. This guide covers streamlined best practices to start cashing in through selling\ commercial land holdings in Georgia’s hot CRE marketplace the easy way.

Getting Started Prep 

Before even listing land for sale, critical prep work must happen to determine what is available and address any encumbrances that could negatively impact value. Tracking down official deeds, title statements, accurate boundary surveys and tax documentation provides baseline understanding of the raw land itself.

Walking the property also allows firsthand visibility checking for easements, right-of-way access points, intrusions and any apparent flaws. Document all exact measurements and geography thoroughly during the process. Identify availability of standard utilities nearby. Taking time upfront to fully understand the land’s strengths and weaknesses makes listing and sales transactions smoother later.

Appraisals Establish Value Framework 

Seeking professional appraisals represents the next vital step for owners of commercial land in Georgia seeking to establish fair market value pricing when selling. Qualified commercial valuation experts weigh the tract’s specific zoning designation, adjacencies, shape, roadway frontage and access plus other attributes against previous comparable land sales in arriving at FMV ranges.

Get multiple opinions to avoid undervaluing holdings. Franchised national appraisal firms with local market insights often provide sound guidance for reasonable fees. Just be sure the assigned appraiser focuses specifically on vacant commercial land instead of chiefly handling improved property valuations. The difference in raw land analysis skills and judgement proves substantial. With a credible appraisal report in hand covering both methodologies and assumptions, pricing gets anchored firmly.

Smart Commercial Land Pricing Strategies

One main pricing dilemma facing those selling commercial land revolves around allowing reasonable upside margin for future buying investors and developers to still achieve adequate returns for their eventual projects constructed. Appraisals clearly help set upper limits. But intelligent sellers price slightly below actual desired sales targets initially with room for buyer negotiation to foster serious bid interest beyond just tire kicking.

Also consider carved-out pricing on land segments based on zoning differentiators or sought-after visibility such as premium corner access locations that enhance worth dramatically for future retail buildings. Bulk acreage allowing larger projects merits higher rates accordingly. Just avoid overly complex parcel structures subdivided too granularly. Simplicity and assembly potential attracts favorable bids.

MLS Listing Importance

Gaining maximum digital visibility among serious prospective buyers relies heavily on securing listing placement on Georgia’s centralized Multiple Listing Services (MLS) platforms. The state’s MLS compiles and syndicates listings across dozens of affiliated websites that commercial investors browse intently while underwriting deal flow opportunities.

Engaging an adept commercial real estate broker to list land holdings properly ensures HTML data fields get completed for maximum exposure online. But vet broker expertise upfront through interviews assessing experience with vacant land specifically. Not all CRE agents deploy the necessary marketing tools like drone photography, video tours and email blasts to generate interest effectively. Get guarantees on listing exposure services in writing before officially signing agreements.

Expanded Marketing Outlets 

In addition to MLS placement reaching interested brokerage clients already equity hunting daily, today’s CRE transactions require going much further deploying digital visibility through various channels. Owners selling land directly themselves especially need self-generated lead sources paying to advertise across relevant Internet platforms frequented by prospective dealmakers searching for promising projects.

Useful outlets include Google/Facebook paid search ads targeted locally, dedicated land sales landing page websites optimized for SEO discovery, and print publications like industry CRE magazines. Budget at least several thousand dollars for a multifaceted campaign employable simultaneously as the listing launches for amplified awareness. This expands potential buyer conversations exponentially.

Patience Required for Lowball Offers

A natural aspect of the commercial land sales process generating frustration among motivated sellers involves entertaining lowball offers well under listing prices from long shot buyers hoping to score distressed bargains. Most owners bristle instantly at bids containing any hint of disrespect or wholesale vulture tactics. But reflexively dismissing them outright risks leaving real money behind.

Remember that specialized CRE investors seek higher return thresholds buying cheaper so conditional offers dependent upon approvals may still provide acceptable exits if structured creatively. Counteroffering spread payments over time or retaining small interest percentages boosts position. Open discussion around addressing impediments blocking acceptance often reveals workable middle grounds increasing consideration potential.

Maximizing Value Through Logical Lot Assemblages 

For owners struggling to sell individual commercial land tracts alone, teaming with neighboring holders to combine multiple parcels into larger singular opportunities dramatically enhances marketability to end user developers. Square footage prices depend partly on continuous frontage size and usable shape. But fractional tracts get viewed as leftovers initially despite zoning desirability.

Packaging contiguous lots requiring cooperation between separate sellers does add deal complexity. Yet the projects possible on consolidated acreage generates newfound urgency from investors. Syncing up closing timelines keeps transactions on track once under contract. But build in contingencies guarding against a domino effect if one piece drops out of the assembly before funding. Get all contract ducks in a row first.

Closing Deals Smoothly 

With necessary listing preparation achieved, an intensive marketing campaign deployed and buyer conversations yielding negotiated offers to purchase the commercial land, the last major step entails navigating the transaction process smoothly utilizing qualified real estate attorneys. Don’t be penny wise but pound foolish skimping on expert legal guidance.

Attorneys ensure all required sale disclosures get signed appropriately while facilitating title conveyances, tax payments, deed filings, resolution of any contingencies and overall timeline coordination across the finishing stretch. Leave no room for last minute surprises stalling progress right before the goal line. Let seasoned counsel quarterback negotiations across closure.

For those seeking to sell Georgia commercial land faster to an established company ready to pay fair cash value upfront without requiring listings or complicated sales processes drawn out over many months, contacting a reputable land buyer like LandBoss gets deals done on your timeline. We provide free evaluations on viable tracts for direct purchase matching motivated seller priorities now.

With Georgia sustaining incredible business growth projections over this decade, commercial land holders have a prime chance to seize advantageous market timing converting unused vacant assets into substantial liquidity fueling other ventures or priorities. Just follow key steps outlined here for ensuring maximum value gets achieved by taking the necessary steps making deals happen smoother and at top dollar thresholds. Call us to discuss options if ready to sell for cash without hassles!

Final Thoughts

With Georgia experiencing immense business expansion and infrastructure development, the demand for commercially-designated land plots keeps accelerating. Savvy owners who thoroughly prepare raw tracts for sale, obtain accurate pricing guidance through appraisals, and extensively market availability to regional developers and investors get rewarded with bidding wars and top dollar sale closure. By packaging smaller contiguous parcels together, values increase substantially as well. Let experienced real estate attorneys smoothly negotiate deals to ensure full protections. Follow these best practices for converting your unused Georgia commercial land into significant payouts in 2023’s active marketplace. The easy exit pathway awaits right now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What areas of Georgia currently show the hottest demand for commercial land tracts?

Metro regions like Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Macon and Columbus report the strongest demand from buyers and builders of mixed-use and retail projects listed for vacant commercial land plots presently. These cities anchor surrounding area growth as well.

What percentage of commercial land value gets attributed to roadway frontage?

Industry valuation guidance suggests approximately 30-40% of potential commercial land pricing gets influenced by frontage size, traffic counts, curb appeal visibility and ease of ingress/egress access points when appraising parcels and assessing bids.

How long should commercial land listings run before price reductions?

Typically 6 months provides adequate time for commercial listings to circulate across industry databases where investors search for acquisition opportunities. But if no viable buyer conversations result within 90 days, pricing likely exceeds justifiable returns or other issues exist hampering deals. React accordingly.

What steps validate buyer funding ability on commercial land deals?

Smart sellers confirm investors have financing capability before finalizing contracts by requiring proof of overall capital backing deals, requesting lender pre-approval letters early in the offer process and personally validating financial wherewithal. Don’t assume all interest and bids signal high probability closure capacity.

What contingency clauses favor sellers on Georgia commercial land sales?

Beyond standard inspections, ATTOM recommendations for safeguarding land sales include additional contingencies like buyer zoning confirmation within assessment windows, stipulations around parcel assemblage sizes remaining intact for projects promised, and requiring short termination remediation efforts protecting seller interest if deals unravel before recording. Add key clauses vetted by legal counsel for optimal protections navigating the unpredictable journey inherent to commercial real estate transactions from initial offer letters to funded acquisitions.

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