How to sell inherited land, step by step

Inherited a piece of land you have no plans for? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to keep paying taxes on it or hand it to an agent who isn’t interested. Here’s how to sell it cleanly, without listing fees.

1. Confirm the land is really yours to sell

Before anything else, make sure the title is in your name (or the estate’s, with authority to sell). Depending on your state and whether there was a will or trust, this may mean finishing probate or recording a new deed. Pull the deed and confirm the legal owner — a title company or real-estate attorney can check this quickly and cheaply.

2. Check for back taxes or liens

Unused inherited land sometimes has unpaid property taxes or old liens attached. Your county treasurer/assessor can tell you the status. Clearing these (or disclosing them) up front avoids a deal falling apart later.

3. Find out what it’s roughly worth

You don’t need a formal appraisal to start. Look at what similar nearby parcels — same county, similar acreage — are listed and selling for. Price is the #1 thing land buyers compare, so a realistic number sells far faster than an optimistic one.

4. Know your selling options

A real-estate agent — most won’t take a low-priced raw parcel, and you’d owe a commission.
Traditional land boards — they charge a monthly or annual fee to keep your ad listed, whether or not anyone contacts you.
Pay-per-lead (free to list) — you list free and only pay when a verified buyer actually wants it. For one inherited parcel, this is almost always the cheapest, lowest-risk route.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Probate, title, and tax rules vary by state and situation — please get professional advice before you sell.

5. List it free and let buyers come to you

Create a free account and post the parcel — county/state, acreage, your asking price, and the APN or coordinates so buyers can map it. Add a photo or two if you have them.
A verified buyer asks to connect. We show your listing to people searching for land across the US.
You approve the lead for $14.90 (launch pricing; normally $25) and get their contact — no monthly fees, never more than $79/month per listing.
You deal with the buyer directly and close the sale. No commission.

Common questions

I inherited land I don’t want — what’s the easiest way to sell it?

Confirm the title is in your name, check for any back taxes or liens, get a rough sense of its value, then list it where land buyers are actually looking. The cheapest route is a pay-per-lead site: free to list, and you only pay when a verified buyer wants it — no agent and no monthly fees.

Do I need to finish probate before I can sell inherited land?

Usually the title needs to be legally in your name (or the estate’s, with authority to sell) before closing. The exact process depends on your state and whether there was a will or trust. Confirm the deed and title status before you list — a real estate attorney or title company can tell you quickly.

How much does it cost to list inherited land?

On AcreFinder it is free to list, and your listing stays up free. You only pay $14.90 (launch pricing) when a verified buyer asks to connect — with your approval each time, and never more than $79/month per listing. If no one is interested, it costs nothing.

Will I owe taxes when I sell inherited land?

Possibly, but inherited property often gets a “stepped-up” cost basis to its value at the time you inherited it, which can reduce capital-gains tax versus other sales. Rules vary and this is not tax advice — talk to a tax professional about your situation.

What if I’m not sure exactly where the land is?

Your county assessor or recorder’s office can give you the parcel number (APN), acreage, and legal description from the deed. With the APN or coordinates, buyers can see exactly where it is on a map — which makes it far easier to sell.

List your land free →