As a professional in an industry that crosses many sectors, I meet a variety of clients. Some corporate, some private. Some old, some young. Some white-collar, some blue-collar. Some that own tracts for financial purposes, some that own them for recreation and enjoyment. But no matter the group, at some point or another, the topic of cutting timber arises.

Many landowners often wonder what the best way to make their property more attractive/appealing is before selling it. They want to clearcut the timber on their tract and then sell – which is fine to do… if it’s priced accordingly. But this is something that very rarely happens.

Here are three different ways you can make your clearcut timber tract more appealing so you can get the most out of the sale:

Option 1: Replant!

Replanting timber on a tract is going to cost extra, for sure. This extra cost, however, increases the property’s selling appeal as it then becomes an investment to any buyer. Over time, results from replanting will yield consistent planted trees with proper management that look aesthetically pleasing. These results will outperform those that are achieved from naturally regenerating forestland. And you will make more selling the tract (even after adding capital back to the tract) since the legwork has already been done. The buyer can then sit back and watch their property appreciate after purchasing.

Option 2: Develop Recreationally

As the land market continues to improve and the American Dream still lives on, more and more buyers are looking for that perfect property for a weekend getaway. And some just want to be able to tell their friends that they’re “going to the farm” this weekend. Turning your timber tract into a recreational property not only allows landowners the chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but it also adds tremendous value to the land. Adding a small dove field or a small duck impoundment, creating trails that lead to a few deer blinds overlooking food plots, or building a small cabin on your property will increase the value of your property by more than what each of these additions cost.

Option 3: Price Accordingly!

One of the largest obstacles selling cutover is the asking price. If you haven’t done either of the previous options, the asking price should reflect the product being sold. If a car dealer offered you a 2001 Toyota Camry for the price of a Lamborghini, you would laugh! That is a buyer’s reaction when cutover is priced too high. If you price the tract dirt cheap (no pun intended as that is its actual value), the first two options are still in play for the buyer! You can then invest that sales amount elsewhere for your return.

At National Land Realty, any of our agents are glad to lend a professional opinion when it comes to which route you should go when selling your clearcut timber tract. Because after all, We Know Land.