If you are buying land real estate, you’ve probably heard of Accredited Land Consultants, commonly known as ALCs, before (and if you haven’t, then you definitely need to keep reading!). You might know them from their little gold pins or the three letters after their name. But do you know what actually separates ALCs from the thousands of other land consultants? Can they help you get a better property for a better price? Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to become an ALC and how working with one can help you buy land better.

If you are new to buying land real estate, here’s a quick summary of what an ALC is. An ALC is a land professional who has gone through a rigorous process of earning the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) Designation through the REALTORS® Land Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®. Becoming an ALC is hard work: you need to complete 104 hours of intense Land University (LANDU) courses through the REALTORS® Land Institute, have extensive experience and a history of successfully closed sales, as well as have your portfolio approved by the Accredited Land Consultant Designation Committee and RLI Board of Directors before you can wear that little gold pin. This may seem like a lot of work just to add three letters to the end of your name, but the experience and resources an agent gains from becoming an ALC is incredibly helpful to you as you go through the process of buying land real estate. Especially since land transactions require expertise outside of what a residential or commercial agent usually has under their belt.

One of the hardest parts about buying land real estate is dealing with the complex rules and regulations that are attached to the land. Titles attached to properties can be decades old and so complicated that people have to hire attorneys to sort them out. The boundaries of properties can change without the buyer even knowing. Between mineral rights, conservation easements, and deeded accesses, even the most experienced land buyer can be overwhelmed by it all – check out these tips for buying land.

That’s where an ALC comes in to ensure you have the whole picture before buying or selling a land property. Many of the courses required for the ALC Designation are about the most difficult aspects of buying land real estate (for example, Tax-Deferred 1031 Exchanges, Basics of Eminent Domain Law, and Mineral, Oil, and Property Rights). ALCs spent hours studying the details of these laws so that their clients are as informed as possible about the property they are buying or selling and the transaction as a whole.

Another common issue with buying land real estate is how rapidly things can change. Tax and property laws vary across the nation, while advancements in technology are coming out faster than ever before. Trying to stay up-to-date of the latest laws and technology can be exhausting and time-consuming.

ALCs can help. ALCs are connected to a network of other ALCs across the country with specializations in a wide variety of fields. This access to hundreds of other experienced ALCs will ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about the laws surrounding the property you want to buy. It also gives them a wider network of possible buyers for their clients’ properties.

Buying land real estate is a complicated process that requires years of training and a sharp eye for detail. Working with an ALC saves you time and energy while also giving you the experience, know-how, and network of other professionals that will help you get the best land for the best price.

To find an ALC near you, check out the REALTORS® Land Institute’s Find A Land Consultant tool.