What buyers look at first
- Water: wells, well tests, rights and any shared agreements.
- Access and easements: roads, gates, neighbors, utilities.
- Soils and planted acres: for vineyards, block layout, varieties, age of vines and contracts.
- Land use: zoning, Williamson Act contracts and county permits.
How I price land
Land does not have simple comparables, so I build the price from recent sales of similar parcels, then adjust for water, access and planted acres. You see the sales behind the number. Sample copy
Plan for the gain
If you have owned the property for decades, your gain is likely large. Before you accept an offer, look at your options: a 1031 exchange, a structured installment sale, or a cash sale. For some sellers, a lower price with a structured installment sale nets the same or more, and a buyer can reach it. Read the full guide, prepared with Hans Goldstein, EA.
General information, not tax or legal advice. Sample page.