Article 6 — How Long Does It Take to Sell Land in South Louisiana? 

One of the first questions I hear from landowners who are thinking about selling is: 

“How long do you think it will take to sell?” 

It's a perfectly reasonable question. 

If you're selling a house, you may have a general expectation of how the process works. 

Land can be different. 

A property may sell quickly because the right buyer has been looking for exactly that type of tract. 

Another property may take considerably longer because the buyer pool is smaller, the property is unusual, the price is ambitious, or there are issues that need to be resolved. 

After 22 years of selling land, I've learned that there isn't a single “normal” selling time for land. 

Why Land Can Take Longer to Sell 

The biggest reason is simple: 

Land buyers are often buying a very specific opportunity. 

A house buyer may be able to choose among hundreds of homes that meet their basic requirements. 

A land buyer may be looking for: 

▪️20–50 acres  

▪️In a particular parish  

▪️Within a particular driving distance  

▪️With road frontage  

▪️With certain recreational characteristics  

▪️With timber  

▪️With development potential  

▪️With particular access  

▪️At a particular price  

The narrower the buyer's requirements, the smaller the potential buyer pool. 

And finding the right buyer can take time. 

Price Is One of the Biggest Factors 

There's an old saying in real estate: 

The market determines value. 

That's especially important with land. If a property is priced significantly above what comparable properties and current buyer demand support, it may sit. 

And sitting on the market can create its own problems. 

Buyers may begin to wonder: “What's wrong with it?” 

Sometimes nothing is wrong. The property may simply be priced incorrectly. 

That's why establishing a realistic asking price at the beginning can be so important. 

But the Lowest Price Isn't Always the Answer 

There's an equal and opposite mistake. 

A seller may think: “If I price it low, it'll sell immediately.” 

Maybe. 

But the goal shouldn't simply be to sell quickly. 

The goal is generally to sell on terms and at a price that make sense for the seller while attracting serious buyers. 

That requires understanding the market. 

Marketing Matters 

A land listing isn't simply a place to put an address and acreage. 

A good land marketing program should answer the questions buyers are likely to have. 

▪️Where is the property? 

▪️How do you access it? 

▪️What does it look like? 

▪️What are the surrounding properties? 

▪️What are its potential uses? 

▪️What are its limitations? 

▪️Are there timber resources? 

▪️What about recreational value? 

▪️Are utilities nearby? 

What does the buyer need to know before scheduling a visit? The more effectively the property is presented, the greater the chance of reaching the right buyer. 

Exposure Matters 

Another misconception is that putting a property in one place online means it has been fully marketed. 

▪️Land buyers don't all shop in the same place. 

▪️Some search through real estate websites. 

▪️Some work directly with agents. 

▪️Some watch properties in areas where they already own land. 

▪️Some are looking for investment opportunities. 

▪️Some may be neighboring landowners. 

▪️Some may discover a property through targeted advertising or social media. 

The challenge is to put the property in front of the people most likely to buy it. 

The Type of Property Matters 

A small tract near a growing community may have a much larger potential buyer pool than a very large, remote tract. 

A recreational property may attract a specialized audience. 

A development tract may require a buyer with substantial financial capacity. 

A timber tract may attract a different group altogether. 

So when someone asks: “How long will it take to sell?” 

I first want to know: “What kind of property are we talking about?” 

Due Diligence Can Take Time 

Even after a buyer makes an offer, the transaction may not close immediately. 

Land buyers may want to investigate: 

▪️Boundaries  

▪️Access  

▪️Flood information  

▪️Wetlands  

▪️Utilities  

▪️Zoning or land-use considerations  

▪️Traffic 

▪️Mineral or other property interests  

▪️Taxes  

▪️Ownership  

▪️Development potential  

▪️Other matters specific to the property  

This isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, thorough due diligence can protect both buyer and seller. 

The key is to understand that finding a buyer and closing a land transaction are two different milestones. 

Problems Discovered Early Are Easier to Address 

One of the best reasons to prepare a property before listing is that it gives you an opportunity to identify potential problems. 

Suppose there is an old disputed access issue. 

Or a question about the ownership. 

Or an outdated survey. 

Or a discrepancy involving size. 

Or a question about a previous structure. 

If you discover the issue after receiving an offer, you may be dealing with it under pressure. 

If you identify it before marketing, you have much more time to understand the situation. 

What I've Learned in Selling Lots, Acreage and Large Parcels 

I've learned not to make promises about selling time that I can't guarantee. Instead, I try to help sellers understand the factors that influence the timeline. 

A property that is properly positioned, appropriately priced and marketed to the right buyers has a much better chance of producing meaningful interest. 

But selling land is not like stocking a vending machine. 

You can't put in an asking price and expect a guaranteed result by a particular date. 

The right buyer still has to exist, be found, and that buyer has to recognize the opportunity.  
 
At Move Realty, we put a lot of effort into preliminary assessment of the “highest and best use” of any property we market. We know we cannot just put up a sign and wait. We pride ourselves in matching buyers to properties, and we understand that we must see plans through the process to reach the mutual goals or the seller and buyer.  

So, How Long Should You Expect? 

The honest answer is:  It depends. 

It depends on the property. 

It depends on the price. 

It depends on buyer demand. 

It depends on the marketing. 

It depends on the location. 

It depends on the property's characteristics. 

And sometimes it depends on something as simple as whether the right buyer happens to be looking when your property comes on the market. 

What I can tell you is that a good land-selling strategy should begin with realistic expectations rather than an arbitrary promise about how quickly a property will sell. 

The Bottom Line 

If you're considering selling your South Louisiana land, don't ask only: 

“How quickly can I sell it?” 

Also ask: 

“What can I do before and during the listing to give my property the best opportunity to attract the right buyer?” 

That question puts the focus where it belongs—on preparation, pricing, marketing and understanding the market. 

And those are things a seller can actually influence. 

Come back to the blog in two days for the next stage of this Land Seller Series: “Should I Sell My Land Myself or Hire a Land Specialist?” Once you understand your property's value, its potential buyers and the likely selling timeline, the next question becomes: Who should represent you when it's time to put the property on the market? 

Researched and shared by: 

Randall C. (Randy) Anderson, REALTOR®/Agent 
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