Real Estate Realities Newsletter
May 2025
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Smart Land Improvements That Boost Property Value
If you’re holding onto a vacant piece of land and thinking about selling, here’s some good news: with a few strategic improvements, you can significantly increase its value, without breaking the bank.
Whether your land is a rural retreat, a future homesite, or undeveloped acreage, buyers want property that’s ready for action. The more usable, accessible, and attractive your land is, the faster it’ll sell – and at a better price.
Here are ten proven improvements you can make to help your property stand out in today’s land market:
- Improve Accessibility
If buyers can’t easily get to your land, you’re starting at a disadvantage. Make sure there’s a clear entrance, driveway, or path to the property line. If the land is landlocked, it’s worth negotiating an easement. Brush clearing, gravel drives, or even just signage can make a big difference in how your land is perceived.
- Clear and Maintain the Land
A well-maintained property suggests it’s been cared for, and that matters to buyers. Remove trash, debris, fallen trees, or heavy overgrowth. Mow it down, trim back edges, and give it a tidy look. You want buyers to walk the land without fighting through brush or wondering what might be hiding beneath it.
- Install (or Prep for) Utilities
Full hookups aren’t always necessary, but showing buyers that utilities are available or nearby adds major value. This includes electric poles, water access (well or city), and septic or sewer options. If the land has no hookups, consider getting quotes from utility companies and including them in your listing. It makes the land feel ready to go.
- Tackle Drainage Issues
Standing water or soggy ground can be a big turn-off. Good drainage increases the usability and health of your land. Simple fixes like grading the land, installing French drains, or digging swales to direct water flow can prevent erosion and improve soil quality. Bonus: It also makes your land more appealing to builders.
- Enhance Curb Appeal
Just like a house, land can make a strong first impression. A trimmed entrance, clearly marked road frontage, and simple landscaping can go a long way. A few planted trees, gravel paths, or even a small fence can help buyers imagine what they could do with the space – and increase perceived value.
- Know Your Zoning and Land Use Options
Buyers love land with options. Research the current zoning on your property and consider if a change would open up new possibilities. For example, changing residential land to agricultural or mixed-use can increase interest. Share that information in your listing—it can be a game-changer for investors or developers.
- Highlight Unique Features
If your property includes a creek, pond, mature trees, mountain views, or open meadows, show them off. Take high-quality photos of those features and mention them early in your listing description. Buyers pay more for land that feels special, and natural features are some of your strongest selling points.
- Mark the Boundaries
Uncertainty around where a property begins and ends can make buyers hesitant. Invest in a survey or at least mark the corners with visible stakes, paint, or signs. A fence (even partial) adds structure and security—and lets buyers see the full scope of what they’re getting.
- Offer Flexible Financing
Many land buyers are ready to buy, but struggle to get traditional financing. Consider offering owner financing with simple terms. You’ll attract more interest and potentially earn more over time through interest payments. LandHub listings with owner financing often get more views and quicker responses.
- Create a Stand-Out Listing
All of these improvements won’t help if no one knows about them. Take great photos that showcase the land’s best features. Include maps, drone footage, and utility info if you have it. Write a listing description that speaks to the lifestyle or possibilities—recreation, farming, cabins, building a dream home, you name it. Then post it where buyers are already looking.
Summary
Improving your land doesn’t always mean pouring thousands of dollars into development. Often, small, thoughtful changes can dramatically increase your property’s appeal and sale price. Whether you’re selling next month or just exploring your options, taking steps now to prepare your land can pay off in a big way down the line.
Courtesy Landhub.com