Compare the terms of a land offer
The offer price is one term among several.
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Term | Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price and deposit | When is money delivered and held? | A number alone is not a closing |
| Diligence and exit | When can the buyer cancel? | A long option may tie up the land |
| Assignment | Can the buyer transfer the contract? | You should know who may end up closing |
| Costs and title | Who pays, and what must be cleared? | Your net amount may differ from the offer |
Is an unsolicited land offer automatically a scam?
No. A mailed or emailed offer may be a genuine proposal, a low preliminary number, or something you should decline. Verify the sender independently and ask for a complete written agreement. A company name on a postcard is not a title examination or proof of funds.
Compare the offer against recent relevant sales and your own sale alternatives. If the buyer has not inspected the property or reviewed title, ask which conditions could change the price.
How do you vet the buyer and the paperwork?
Look for a real business identity, reachable contact details, and a closing provider you can verify independently. Read cancellation rights, assignment provisions, deadlines, and who chooses the title company. Take unfamiliar clauses to your own attorney.
Avoid signing a deed outside a documented closing or paying an upfront release or processing fee to receive a buyer’s money. Verify payment instructions by calling a number you obtained yourself, not one in a changed email. The FTC warns that wire transfers are hard to reverse.
Sources: Federal Trade Commission, what to know before wiring money · Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, verify closing wire instructions independently
What if the offer seems too low or too urgent?
Ask how the buyer reached the price and whether it can change after diligence. You can seek more opinions, list the land, make a counteroffer, or decline. A deadline in a letter is the buyer’s proposed term, not proof that your options disappear tomorrow.
If title, taxes, or inheritance issues make the deal complicated, address them with your own qualified adviser. A buyer should be able to explain the closing process without making you guess where the money goes.
Sources: Federal Trade Commission, what to know before wiring money
Frequently asked questions
Why did I receive a letter about my land?
Property ownership records can be public, so buyers may contact owners directly. A letter is an invitation to evaluate terms, not proof that the stated price is market value.
Can the buyer lower the price later?
That depends on the contract and its diligence terms. Read when either party can change terms or cancel before you sign.
What does an assignable land contract mean?
It can allow a buyer to transfer contract rights to another party. Ask an attorney to explain the provision and decide whether it fits your goals.
Should I use the buyer’s title company?
You can discuss providers and the contract’s choice of closing agent. Verify any provider independently and seek your own legal advice when terms are unclear.
Sources and further reading
- Federal Trade Commission, what to know before wiring money
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, verify closing wire instructions independently
General information only. Local rules and individual title or tax facts require a qualified professional.