How to Sell Land by Owner
Selling land yourself (For Sale By Owner or FSBO) saves scribe fees but requires more effort. Here's how to do it successfully:
1. Price It Right
Research comparable sales nearby
Get a professional valuation (£300-£600)
Check Land Registry data for recent transactions
Consider legal auction guide prices
Price 5-10% below similar properties to attract buyers
2. Prepare Your Documentation
Title deeds proving ownership
Title plan showing boundaries
Access rights documentation
Planning history (if applicable)
Any surveys or reports
Site plans and measurements
3. Create a Strong Listing
Photos: Show boundaries, access points, views
Description: Size, planning status, potential uses
Measurements: Accurate dimensions in acres/hectares
Location: Nearby amenities, transport links
Legal: Mention access rights, covenants
4. Choose Your Platforms
Free: Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Nextdoor
Paid: Rightmove (£100-£300), OnTheMarket (£100-£200)
Specialized: Landlister, Plotfinder (£50-£200)
Social media: Instagram, LinkedIn posts
For Sale board: Local visibility
5. Handle Enquiries Professionally
Respond within 24 hours
Be honest about any issues
Arrange site visits efficiently
Provide requested information promptly
Negotiate fairly and clearly
6. Manage Viewings
Be available and prepared
Show boundaries clearly
Answer questions honestly
Follow up after visits
Ask for feedback
7. Negotiate Offers
Get offers in writing
Understand terms and conditions
Negotiate price and completion date
Don't accept first offer if too low
Consider buyer financing
8. Instruct a Solicitor
Choose an experienced land conveyancer
Agree fees upfront (£800-£1,500)
Provide all documentation quickly
Respond to queries promptly
Understand the process timeline
9. Complete the Sale
Exchange contracts with deposit
Complete searches (buyer pays)
Transfer funds through solicitor
Sign transfer documents
Register change of ownership
Tips for Success:
Be realistic about time commitment
Professional photos worth the investment
Clear communication prevents issues
Don't skip legal advice
Consider hybrid option: list yourself but use solicitor
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Overpricing prevents interest
Poor photos turn buyers away
Slow response loses buyers
Not using a solicitor is risky
Unrealistic expectations delay sales
With preparation and diligence, selling by owner can save £1,000-£5,000 in agent fees while maintaining control over the process.
How to Sell Land by Owner
Selling land yourself (For Sale By Owner or FSBO) saves scribe fees but requires more effort. Here's how to do it successfully:
1. Price It Right
- Research comparable sales nearby
- Get a professional valuation (£300-£600)
- Check Land Registry data for recent transactions
- Consider legal auction guide prices
- Price 5-10% below similar properties to attract buyers
2. Prepare Your Documentation
- Title deeds proving ownership
- Title plan showing boundaries
- Access rights documentation
- Planning history (if applicable)
- Any surveys or reports
- Site plans and measurements
3. Create a Strong Listing
- Photos: Show boundaries, access points, views
- Description: Size, planning status, potential uses
- Measurements: Accurate dimensions in acres/hectares
- Location: Nearby amenities, transport links
- Legal: Mention access rights, covenants
4. Choose Your Platforms
- Free: Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Nextdoor
- Paid: Rightmove (£100-£300), OnTheMarket (£100-£200)
- Specialized: Landlister, Plotfinder (£50-£200)
- Social media: Instagram, LinkedIn posts
- For Sale board: Local visibility
5. Handle Enquiries Professionally
- Respond within 24 hours
- Be honest about any issues
- Arrange site visits efficiently
- Provide requested information promptly
- Negotiate fairly and clearly
6. Manage Viewings
- Be available and prepared
- Show boundaries clearly
- Answer questions honestly
- Follow up after visits
- Ask for feedback
7. Negotiate Offers
- Get offers in writing
- Understand terms and conditions
- Negotiate price and completion date
- Don't accept first offer if too low
- Consider buyer financing
8. Instruct a Solicitor
- Choose an experienced land conveyancer
- Agree fees upfront (£800-£1,500)
- Provide all documentation quickly
- Respond to queries promptly
- Understand the process timeline
9. Complete the Sale
- Exchange contracts with deposit
- Complete searches (buyer pays)
- Transfer funds through solicitor
- Sign transfer documents
- Register change of ownership
Tips for Success:
- Be realistic about time commitment
- Professional photos worth the investment
- Clear communication prevents issues
- Don't skip legal advice
- Consider hybrid option: list yourself but use solicitor
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Overpricing prevents interest
- Poor photos turn buyers away
- Slow response loses buyers
- Not using a solicitor is risky
- Unrealistic expectations delay sales
With preparation and diligence, selling by owner can save £1,000-£5,000 in agent fees while maintaining control over the process.