How to Sell Land by Owner: A Step-by-Step FSBO Guide
Updated September 2026 by Cooper and Jennifer Best, Best Land Holdings.
Selling land yourself, often called "for sale by owner" or FSBO, can save a real estate commission. It also means you do the pricing, marketing, negotiating and paperwork. Here is how to do it well, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost owners time and money.
Step 1: Price it from real sales
Look up recently sold land in your county with similar acreage, access and utilities. County records, online land marketplaces and a local title company can help. The tax assessed value is rarely a good guide. Read how vacant land is priced.
Step 2: Get your documents together
You will need the deed, parcel number, legal description, tax status and any survey or plat. The full list is in documents needed to sell land.
Step 3: Market the land
- List on land-focused marketplaces and general real estate sites that accept owner listings.
- Put a clear sign at the road with a phone number.
- Tell neighboring owners. Adjacent landowners are often the most motivated buyers.
- Use photos, a boundary map, and a plain description of access, utilities and zoning.
Step 4: Screen buyers and negotiate
Ask how the buyer will pay. Cash buyers close faster; buyers needing a land loan may take longer or fall through. Put any agreement in writing with a purchase and sale agreement, including price, earnest money, closing date and contingencies.
Step 5: Close with a professional
Even without an agent, use a licensed title company or real estate attorney to handle the closing. They check title, prepare or review the deed, collect the funds and record the sale. This protects you and the buyer. Be careful of anyone who wants you to sign a deed before receiving funds through a closing agent; see how to avoid land selling scams.
Costs to plan for
By owner, you typically pay for marketing, part or all of the closing costs depending on local custom, any transfer taxes, and your own time. Budget for a survey if a buyer requires one.
The alternative: a direct sale
If you would rather skip listing and showings, you can sell directly to a land buyer. We make a written offer, usually within 48 hours, pay the normal closing costs and close through a licensed title company. It is still a sale by owner with no agent, just without the marketing. Compare the options in selling land without a realtor.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to sell land by owner?
It depends on the state. Some states customarily close with an attorney; others use title companies. Either way, a professional closing agent is strongly recommended.
Who pays closing costs in a FSBO land sale?
It is negotiable and varies by local custom. When you sell to us, we pay the normal closing costs.
Where can I list land for sale by owner?
Land-specific marketplaces, general real estate sites that accept owner listings, a road sign, and letters to neighboring owners are the most common.
Related guides
Get a real number for your land
Call or text 720-807-7989 with your county and parcel number, or request a written cash offer. You will get a written offer, usually within 48 hours, with the comparable sales and details behind it. There is no cost and no obligation.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules vary by state and county; confirm your situation with a local attorney, title company or tax professional.