Discover what today’s farmland buyers value beyond price and income, from productivity and data to optionality, stewardship, legacy and long-term Return on Life. Read more

See how stronger seller identity verification, title professionals and new fraud protections can help reduce real estate fraud before closing. Read more

Learn five practical ways landowners can monitor vacant land, use deed alerts, understand title lock services and respond to fraud. Read more

Part One of the REALTORS® Land Institute Safety Month Series. Learn the red flags of seller impersonation fraud and how land brokers can verify sellers, spot suspicious activity, and protect clients. Read more

The ALC community is filled with professionals who genuinely want to see one another succeed. They understand that no one has all the answers, and that helping another land broker become better ultimately serves more landowners. That's a mindset you don't find everywhere. It's a community marked by humility, curiosity, and a willingness to invest in one another. Read more

Do you dream of a place where you can watch the stars at night unencumbered by city lights? What about having a natural paradise literally in your backyard? You don’t have to save your entire life to have this kind of lifestyle. Consider land financing to help make your dream a reality. Read more

Pros and cons of buying hunting land next to public ground. Read more

Buying land can be a stressful process, especially for first-time buyers. For those thinking about buying a hunting property, it pays to know the ins and outs of finding and purchasing farmland. Read more

If you were to gauge the future of the land market solely by scrolling through social media or tuning into "expert" economic commentary, you might think you're standing at the edge of a cliff. If you talk to those who eat, sleep, and breathe land transactions, the tone is anything but doomsday. Here's what those inside the land market have to say. Read more

When someone dies and leaves behind land without a will or other legal document, it can result in a clouded property title. Essentially, it’s unclear who owns the land if no heirs are involved. Without a will, the state can decide who inherits what, often leading to disputes and disagreements. Read on to learn more about how to clear a clouded property title and transfer it to you. Read more

Let’s face it, buying or selling land real estate can be terrifying. Here are four reasons consumers can rely on an Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) to expertly guide them through the land transaction process. Read more

If you are a commercial real estate professional, understanding the nuances of commercial zoning laws can help you maintain compliance. It can also help you deliver more strategic investments and leverage your projects for higher returns. Here is what you should know about commercial zoning laws in the US. Read more

Subdividing land involves dividing a single piece of land into two or more parcels. In some cases, someone with a large farm might want to subdivide and sell smaller lots. Or a property developer might want to divide a 100-acre plot into 100 lots it can sell to residential buyers. Regardless of the intended outcome, you should know the basics of subdivision land development to help ensure you meet legal requirements and earn a profit from sales. Read more

As we enter April, or Earth Month, it’s a reminder that rural land offers an opportunity to reconnect with nature while contributing positively to the environment. Landowners and land professionals understand the privilege of owning a piece of earth; they are the ultimate land stewards. Our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and foresters have long worked to preserve natural habitats, promote biodiversity, and ensure that these spaces remain for future generations to enjoy. So, this Earth Month, let's celebrate how rural land investment aligns with the spirit of land stewardship and responsibility. Read more

The discussion at this year’s annual Midwest Agriculture Conference revolved around Midwest farmland ownership and why they own it. Over the years, row crop farmland in the Midwest has been viewed as an attractive investment for individual investors and institutional groups to diversify their portfolios. With a strong agricultural market the past couple of years, and an increase in buyers, here are a few of the changing factors related to investing in farmland. Read more

So, you’ve found your dream property, only to discover that it has a conservation easement on it. Or, that beautiful tract of land is just out of your budget, and your broker has suggested a conservation easement to bring it into financial reach. Whether you are considering purchasing property that already has a conservation easement (CE), or you’re weighing the benefits of placing a CE on land after you purchase, here are several considerations to help you make the best choice for your land and your family. Read more

Foreign investment in U.S. farmland continues to be a sensitive topic for many Americans, with concerns ranging from food security to national security. The global landscape has seen various countries and foreign individuals channeling their resources into American agriculture, raising questions about who is investing in U.S. farmland and the implications of such investments. Here's a look at which foreign entities are investing. Read more

Acquiring rural land can be an attractive path to building a custom home in a challenging market with low housing inventory. It offers other opportunities beyond homebuilding, like renting or crop sharing to farmers, starting a business, or leasing the land to hunters. Whatever your plan may be, here are three first steps to kick-start the land-buying process for newcomers. Read more

If you're lucky enough to inherit or purchase timberland, you've already made a great investment in your future. Timberland is a valuable asset that can provide a range of benefits, from recreation to timber harvesting, and even wildlife habitat conservation. Here's what to know if you're buying or inherited timberland. Read more

Recreational land, or rec land, is a versatile property type that can be used as an investment or simply for the pleasure of the landowner. Rec land can become an income source and means to build steady wealth if you plan ahead with a few things in mind. Read more

While there are no guarantees in farmland investments, investors can be aware of what property improvements and maintenance measures correlate positively with the value of their farm. This article will show you a few ways to add value to your property so you can maximize your ROI and get the best value for your farm. Read more

There are a few constants when it comes to farmland: Farmland is valuable, farmland is limited, and farmland is essential. Part One of this series will help you understand the process of establishing an appropriate price for farmland. Read more

As a landowner or prospective buyer of land, you have many options for how to handle your land asset. One less obvious choice is to consider conserving the property and enjoying the benefits, including tax incentives, associated with this unique property vision. Here is the basics on how they work and benefits for landowners and the public. Read more

With inflation rising, investors are seeking out inflation resistant asset classes to add to their portfolios. Farmland is an asset class that has consistently proven to be stable. Here are ways farmland can be used in asset allocation, and why it is a sound method of hedging against inflation. Read more

The formula lenders use to approve land loans is different from residential. Here's what borrowers should know before pre-approval for a land loan. Read more

This is part 1 of 2 from an article that originally appeared in the REALTORS® Land Institute’s Summer 2016 Terra Firma magazine. Read more

When you work with a qualified land real estate professional, such as an Accredited Land Consultant (ALC), the land professional can assist you in reaching your goals and objectives. Read more

The air is cleaner, fresher, the small town lifestyle of festivals, fiestas, parades and other fun and unique gifts of small town living abounds. Read more

Even if a piece of property seems perfect, there are a lot of questions you should ask before you take out that checkbook. There’s so much you need to know about a property that a seller might not tell you right away. Read more

We explore how you can make the most money off of buying raw land. Read more

Think you know everything about buying residential land real estate? Think again! We count down the top six mistakes made when buying land. Read more

Looking to find the perfect agent to help you buy, sell, or invest in a property? These five tips will help you find the right person for you. Read more

Not sure where to start finding the right real estate agent for you? Wendy Forthun, ALC, explains what you should keep a close eye out for. Read more

Curious about investing in agriculture, but worried that you don't know enough about the land industry to confidently invest? Read on. Read more

Thinking about buying waterfront property? These tips can help you make sure you are getting the best waterfront property for your money. Read more

America is a land of wide-open spaces. With all its natural wonders, how can you ever decide where to buy? What do you need to take into consideration? Read more

If you are buying or selling land, there are many reasons why you need a land agent for your transaction. Check out this post to see why! Read more

An ALC and land real estate pro shares the unique challenges of land transactions near the water, focusing on four main areas of consideration for anyone selling, buying, or investing in coastal properties. Read more

The industrial hemp industry is booming, especially as cannabis legalization continues to add new vistas of opportunity in a growing number of U.S. states. Finding just the right land on which to grow these crops, however, can prove challenging for farmers, real estate professionals, and investors. Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic convinced many people that they don't want to continue living in urban areas with high population densities. Millennials were already starting to move away from cities, but the pandemic piqued their interest and encouraged many to consider buying their first rural home. Read more

Buying land for building a home can be a great investment in your future! Make sure to read these tips and work with a qualified land professional. Read more

COVID-19 real estate trends show an increased interest in owning land away from crowded cities. The pandemic's effects on housing, work, and the economy have forced many people to reconsider their urban-centered lifestyles. Read more

Buying land forces you to make a lot of choices. Unfortunately, people who don’t have much experience buying land rarely know how to avoid common mistakes. And even experienced buyers can make mistakes. Check out these pitfalls to avoid so you can make informed decisions the next time you are in the market buying land. Read more

The idea of owning your own rural property is an appealing one, and can seem like the process can be fairly simple. But if you’re buying land, especially as first-time recreational land buyers, there are several conditions and circumstances you’ll want to be aware of so that you can make an informed decision and avoid costly mistakes. Read more

Farmers used to say, “If you are going to buy a farm, do it at the end of summer.” That simple country wisdom comes from years of dependence on the rhythms of Mother Nature. Experience had taught them that a farm--or any kind of land, really--will give you a better picture of its potential and the opportunities and challenges it poses at the end of the growing season but before frost. If you're looking at buying farm land, here are some things to look out for as the seasons change. Read more