Land for Sale | CR 265, Bruce MS
Land for Sale | CR 265, Bruce MS Read More »
Steven Sparks | Backwoods Land Company
From Quiet Corner to Market Square: Maximizing Your Land Sale Potential
Consider your land as an item on a store display. Opting for sale by owner is akin to setting up a small stall in a quiet corner – you might get a couple of interested passersby, but your reach is limited. However, with a land agent or broker, it’s like having a bustling market square at your disposal. We utilize our networks, targeted marketing, and industry connections to create a buzz around your land, attracting a wide range of potential buyers. How do you know what it’s really worth unless it’s exposed to the maximum amount of potential buyers?
Many will say, a thing is worth what someone will pay for it and that sounds reasonable – on the surface. But market value goes beyond a single offer or 2 or 3 if the property isn’t exposed to the market. Generally, market value is defined as the most probable price that a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, knowledgeably and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. One caveat is that a reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market. “Exposure in the open market” being key here.
For Sale by Owner Listings Often Leave Money on the Table
While an FSBO listing might technically meet the “reasonable time” requirement, the limited reach often translates to a smaller pool of buyers. This can lead to a final sale price that falls short of true market value. A land broker, on the other hand, can significantly increase your exposure through various channels, attracting a much wider group of buyers who are actively seeking land including local and out of state buyers. This open market competition is what truly reveals the market value of your land, ensuring you get the best possible price. Maximizing exposure can help create competition among buyers, ultimately maximizing the sale price of your land.
Therefore, working with a professional such as Backwoods Land Company who can facilitate broad exposure in the open market is by far the best way to achieve the true market value of your property. By partnering with us, you can rest assured that your land is seen by the right buyers, leading to a competitive bidding process that delivers the best possible outcome.
Don’t Settle for Less | Importance of Land Sale Exposure Read More »

The relationship between the value of a building and the land it sits on is a complex one. The appreciation of a building is not solely dependent on the appreciation of the land it sits on, but rather a combination of factors that include the condition and improvements made to the building, the economic conditions of the surrounding area, and, of course, the cost of land.
Is it possible for building to appreciate in value while the land it sits on remains stagnant? It may seem counterintuitive, but it is definitely possible. The key to understanding this phenomenon is to remember that a building’s value is determined by a variety of factors, not just the land it sits on.
For example, you could put a lot money into renovating and upgrading a building, only to find out the value of the land it sits on hasn’t moved an inch. Similarly, you could keep the building in tip-top shape, but the value of the land remains stagnant. Even more ironic, the economic conditions of the surrounding area could be booming, yet the land value remains unchanged. But despite all this, the value of the building still increases.
If the land is the only driver of home values over time, then why on earth is a new constructed single wide over 100k in many cases today? Inflated building costs due to insane demand, historically low interest rates and a shortage of affordable housing to name a few.
In some cases, the value of the building may be determined by factors that are not related to the land, such as the historical or architectural significance of the building, or the zoning and usage restrictions of the land.
One reason is that improvements made to the building, such as renovations or upgrades, can increase the value of the building. For example, if a property owner invests in modernizing the building, such as installing new appliances or updating the plumbing and electrical systems, it can make the building more attractive to potential buyers or tenants, leading to an increase in value.
Another reason is the condition of the building. A well maintained building with good quality construction interiors and exteriors can be more desirable to buyers and tenants, leading to an increase in value, even if the land value remains stagnant. This is especially true with a well maintained high quality home in an historical district or somewhere where say for example are dominated by Victorian, Colonial and Tudor style homes. A certain buyer pool for this type of home may pay a premium for the design and construction itself depending on trends in the area.
The value of the building may be determined by factors that are not related to the land, such as the historical or architectural significance of the building, or the zoning and usage restrictions of the land.
When it comes to be land be the main or one of the main drivers in the increase of some values, the building quality and condition means less and the land goes up, especially in areas with much population and economic growth. As land prices soar, builders may find themselves in a difficult spot, struggling to acquire land to build homes on. This, in turn, may lead to builders passing on the increased cost to buyers in the form of higher home prices. But don’t worry, the fun doesn’t stop there! Builders may also have to resort to constructing homes on smaller plots of land, leading to even higher construction costs per square foot, due to the diminishing returns. It’s like a never-ending cycle of joy!
Additionally, when the cost of building materials increases along with rising land values, it can also cause builders to pass on these costs to buyers in the form of higher home prices, making it more difficult for buyers to afford a new home, decreasing demand for new homes, and driving up home values. When land prices increase with stagnating home values along with stagnant demand for new construction, it can also make it less profitable for developers to build affordable housing, leading to a decrease in the supply of affordable housing and driving up the overall cost of housing.
Oh, inflation! The gift that keeps on giving! High inflation can lead to some truly delightful situations such as sky high interest rates and unaffordable rental income. Not to mention, it can cause prices to drop and the value of a building to decrease, like a cherry on top of a sundae. And let’s not forget the joy of rising land values driving up construction costs, making it even more challenging for builders to acquire land and construct new homes, leading to higher home prices. A party in your bank account!
We can’t simply look at the cost of the land and assume that it directly correlates to the value of the building on it. No, the appreciation of a building is not solely dependent on the appreciation of the land it sits on. It’s a combination of factors that must be considered. Most of the time with real estate, when finding factors that influence value, we ned up digging much deeper than we what saw on the surface. And that’s probably not just true when it comes to valuing buildings and land, but in all aspects of life!
If you would like to book an appointment or call or text to just to have a chat, call, text or email at (662) 523-4603 ssparks@wwebb.com. Also visit my appraisal blog @ Home – Encompass Realty Solutions to find out more about your real estate appraisal options.
Building Value vs Land Value: Can a Building Appreciate Independently? Read More »

There are many factors that come into play when forming a opinion of value of land. Whether it be a one-acre lot or a sprawling 500 acre land tract, all lots and tracts of land were created unequal.
This is a general overview that can applied to most types whether searching for recreational, farm, timber and other types of land.
OPEN LEGAL ACCESS
Landlocked property means that there is no current legal access to the property to a public road. If the property is landlocked, knock off at least 50% of value. However, it does not mean that there is no potential access to the property. There is always access! How costly depends on many factors. The most obvious being the location of the parcel to the nearest public road.
In the case below there is a public road very close from the outlined landlocked parcel. Cost should reasonable, depending on your area and other factors to be grantedan easement in this situation. There is no such thing as ‘no access’, rather ‘no access currently’ as you will be able to gain access through a granted easement. For someone willing to endure the time and expense, there are potiental profits in landllocked parcels.
In the case below there is a public road very close from the outlined landlocked parcel of land. Depending on adjacent landowner puchback, costs should be reasonable to obtain easement access.

What about this one?

Hopefully, someone, the adjoining vacant landowner AND one of the parcels with homes will grant access. If not, then this could potentially be much more complicated and costly.
Besides being landlocked, some of the potential factors or value drivers when considering purchasing a piece of land is the legal access. Is there access to a public road? Is it legal? Is there an easement? Is it legal?
Many other factors can influence land value, however, access, especially no current access, is one of the most obvious. Financing may be difficult as well. Maintenance agreements for home construction, legal access and other issues pertaining to land access is some things to consider when searching for land to purchase.
TOPOGRAPHY
Topography plays a key role in determining land value. If you have tract of land near ongoing residential development that is hilly, rugged or sloped etc., the cost to develop would be substantially higher than one that is generally level. Although in some areas, building into rugged rocky land is a sought-after aesthetic feature.
One of the most renowned architects of our time, Frank Lloyd Wright inspired generations of home architects, builders and designers that incorporated the blending the structure into the environment. The result is some of the most awe-inspiring buildings you will ever see, such as this one.
SHAPE
The shape of the land can a have a huge impact on value. Consider the below property shapes.
The top land shape would likely be the more valuable to the typical prudent buyer due to layout of the land. There is frontage that lends itself to development due the lsyout of the first property. It has what could be considered and extra lot abutting the rut while the second property (bottom) would likely have very little potential within the typical rediential neighborhood.

For a 100 acre property with 20 year merchantable timber stands, shape can coincide with ingress and egress, interior road systems as well as frontage to a pubic road. If the interim use is for timber investment and the future use is possible development, then shape can much of a factor in the buying decision of timberland.
Shape can make the difference between a profitable land investment and a poor one. Investigating potential uses that can be derived from the shape of the land can earn dividends.
LOCATION & SIZE
Location is an obvious factor in choosing a piece of land. A 500 acre tract of land near town where development is occurring may have high development potential while the same tract 15 miles outside of town may be more suitable for cropland, cattle and other farming operations.
A 40 acre tract 15 miles outside of the city may be suited for a hobby farm or hunting land. Maybe a place for family and friends to gather and congregate. Or maybe just a place to fish, hunt, trail ride and/or to pass along to a future generation.
Value per acre will generally decrease the larger the tract of land you are purchasing due to diminished returns or utility.
The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal defines “diminishing utility” as “the concept that the consumption of each succeeding unit of economic good yields less satisfaction than the preceding unit. Marginal utility discussed in the Dictionary of Real Estate, is the additional satisfaction or benefit (utility) that a consumer derives from buying an additional unit of a commodity or service. The concept implies that the utility or benefit to a consumer of an additional unit of a product is inversely related to the number of units of that product he already owns. The more the land the less per acre would pay vs. a smaller similar tract on average.
WILDLIFE
A diverse array of vegetation, transitions in topography, water sources such as streams or creeks, sanctuaries and cover, lends itself for support for of wide spectrum of wildlife and are ideal for buyers of recreational property for hunting purposes. Rock outcroppings are also typically an attractive feature for buyers of land for wildlife purpose and for aesthetic value.
ZONING
Zoning can be an important factor in determining land value. What kind of restrictions exist within the zoning district? Some agricultural zoning districts limit the density of agricultural uses. Many limit the type and size of structures built upon the land. They are typically not limited to residential uses and included churches, schools, feed stores, kennels, hospitals, offices and other general commercial or special uses.
SOIL TYPE
Bedrock and sand are some of the best soil types to build structures on. One of the qualities that these two soils have in common that make them good choices for building is that they are good for allowing water to drain away from a building.
Loamy soils are good for building and is also ideal for growing crops such as wheat and vegetables such as cotton. Loamy soils make up a large portion of the North and Central Mississippi area.
Clay soils on other hand, are generally the worst type of soil to build on. When clay is moist it becomes pliable, making it easier to move. when this happens, it puts a great deal of pressure on a foundation, causing them to crack.
GUIDE TO LAND BUYING Read More »