Next Steps for Handling Inherited Land in West Virginia in 2026

You’ve just inherited land in West Virginia—an exciting gift that can also feel like a lot to manage. The best next step is simple: get clarity on what you own, what it can legally and practically be used for, and what outcomes matter most to you (legacy, income, conservation, or a clean exit).

Why West Virginia land matters right now

West Virginia is the Mountain State for a reason: forests, headwater streams, and outdoor recreation define both the landscape and the opportunity. About 79% of West Virginia is covered in forests, according to AcreTrader (citing the West Virginia Department of Agriculture). That forested character isn’t just scenic—it connects directly to land value, stewardship choices, and income potential.

West Virginia also plays a measurable role in Chesapeake Bay watershed conservation. In 2024, the state planted 45 acres of community trees in the watershed, contributing to a total of 5,743 acres planted across all jurisdictions, according to the Chesapeake Bay Program. That same year, West Virginia also planted 13 miles of forest buffers as part of watershed-wide efforts, per the Chesapeake Bay Program.

Those actions matter because trees deliver real economic value. Trees in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including West Virginia, provide over $15.3 billion in annual benefits by lessening air pollution, reducing stormwater runoff, and sequestering carbon (2025 estimates), according to the Chesapeake Bay Program State of Chesapeake Forests Storymap (2025 update).

Start here: confirm what you inherited (and what comes with it)

Before you plan anything—selling, building, leasing, or conserving—gather the facts. These steps reduce risk and prevent costly surprises.

1. Find the deed and property identifiers. Collect the deed, tax map/parcel number, survey (if available), and any prior title policy.
2. Check taxes, liens, and assessments. Confirm whether property taxes are current and whether any liens, HOA obligations, or municipal charges exist.
3. Verify access and boundaries. Determine if the land has legal road access and whether boundaries are clearly marked or disputed.
4. Review zoning and land-use rules. Zoning dictates what you can build or operate, from homes to cabins to commercial uses.
5. Clarify mineral and timber rights. In West Virginia, surface rights and subsurface rights can be separated—know what you actually own.
6. Identify environmental constraints. Streams, wetlands, steep slopes, and buffer requirements can shape what’s feasible and what permits you’ll need.

Understand the land’s “best use” in today’s market

Land value and utility vary dramatically by county, topography, access, utilities, and allowable uses. For context, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that in 2022, the average value of farm real estate in West Virginia was $2,780 per acre. Your parcel could be higher or lower depending on its characteristics and how buyers in your area use land (recreation, timber, farming, homesites, or mixed use).

Option 1: Keep the land and build a plan around your goals

If you want to hold the property, treat it like a long-term asset. Decide what you want it to do for you: provide a retreat, generate income, protect family heritage, or preserve habitat.

Create a home, cabin, or legacy property

• Build deliberately. Confirm utilities, septic feasibility, driveway permits, and whether the parcel sits in a floodplain or steep-slope area.
• Keep it in the family. Consider a trust, LLC, or clear heir plan to prevent future title fragmentation.

If your goal is simply to own a piece of West Virginia, you can still make it easier to manage by documenting boundaries, access, and rights now—before memories fade and paperwork gets scattered.

Lease the land for recreation or tourism

Outdoor recreation remains a strong economic driver in the state. In FY23, visitors to West Virginia State Parks and Forests spent an estimated $482.97 million in the state, according to the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. That activity also generated $27.92 million in state and local tax revenues in FY23, per the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.

Depending on location and access, you may be able to earn income by:

• Leasing hunting rights (with written rules, insurance, and clear boundaries)
• Allowing camping or trails via permit or membership models
• Exploring eco-tourism (guided wildlife experiences, glamping, or educational uses)

Use the property for timber and forest management

With so much forest cover, timber and forest stewardship can be both practical and profitable. Work with a consulting forester to create a management plan, schedule selective harvests, and protect long-term value.

Forest management is also a major regional land-use pattern. Nearly a third (30.5%) of the Monongahela National Forest region in West Virginia is actively managed for biodiversity protection and natural resource extraction, according to the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD), Penn State (2025 report). In Tucker County within the Monongahela region, that figure rises to 49%, per the NERCRD, Penn State (2025 report). Those numbers reflect how common “working lands” strategies are—balancing conservation and extraction rather than treating them as opposites.

Farm it, graze it, or lease it

If your parcel has workable soils or pasture potential, you can farm directly or lease it to local operators. Even if you’re not interested in farming, a lease can help cover taxes and maintenance while keeping the land productive.

Option 2: Conserve it (and potentially reduce taxes)

If your land includes streams or forested corridors, conservation can deliver both ecological and financial benefits. For example, West Virginia achieved 75.59% streamside forest buffer coverage in riparian areas—204,034 acres out of 269,915 acres—in 2021–2022, according to Chesapeake Bay Program High-Resolution Land Use/Land Cover Data (2025 update). At the same time, West Virginia experienced a net loss of 2,018 acres of riparian forest between 2013–2014 and 2021–2022, per the Chesapeake Bay Program High-Resolution Land Use/Land Cover Data (2025 update).

That combination—strong existing buffer coverage plus measurable loss—makes stewardship decisions on private land especially relevant. Depending on your situation, you can explore:

• Conservation easements (often tied to tax benefits and permanent restrictions)
• Riparian buffer projects to stabilize streambanks and improve habitat
• Cost-share and incentive programs through state and federal partners

Option 3: Sell the land (traditional listing vs. faster alternatives)

Selling can make sense if the land doesn’t fit your life, requires ongoing upkeep, or creates tax and liability concerns. Just know that land often takes longer to sell than a house because financing, due diligence, access questions, and buyer demand vary widely by parcel.

If you sell on the open market

• Price it with local comparables. Land values can swing dramatically by county, road frontage, utilities, and buildability.
• Get a professional opinion of value. Appraisals and broker price opinions can help you avoid leaving money on the table.
• Market it like land. Buyers want maps, timber info, topo, access details, and clear photos—not just a street address.
• Plan for a longer timeline. Many parcels take months to years to sell depending on location and constraints.

If you want a simpler sale, consider a land-buying company

If speed and certainty matter most, you can sell directly to a company that specializes in land. For example, Land Boss describes itself as a cash land buyer and notes it has been operating for 5 years with over 100 land deals completed. In exchange for convenience, these buyers often purchase at a discount compared to a fully marketed retail sale.

The main advantages are straightforward:

• Faster closings with fewer showings and less back-and-forth
• Cash purchases that reduce financing fall-through risk
• As-is transactions without repairs, cleanup, or improvements

Legal and ownership checklist (don’t skip this)

Inherited land can come with hidden complications. A West Virginia real estate or estate attorney can help you resolve issues before they delay a sale or derail your plans.

• Probate and proper transfer so the deed matches the true owner
• Title defects such as missing heirs, unclear boundaries, or old liens
• Easements and rights-of-way affecting access, utilities, or neighbor use
• Mineral, gas, and timber rights and whether they were severed historically

Make a decision you’ll feel good about

Inheriting land in West Virginia gives you real choices: keep it, improve it, lease it, conserve it, or sell it. Start by confirming the basics (title, taxes, access, and rights), then match the property’s best use to your goals.

Whether you’re protecting stream buffers, planning a cabin, creating recreation income, or pursuing a clean sale, your land is more than a parcel on a map. It’s a working part of West Virginia’s economy, ecology, and heritage—and your next move shapes what it becomes.