Top Land Buyers in Residential Lots

How long does it typically take to sell vacant land in California?

In the current 2025 market, selling vacant land in California typically takes 6 to 12 months. In high-demand coastal counties like Los Angeles or San Diego, infill lots in established neighborhoods may find a buyer in 3 to 6 months, while remote "off-grid" acreage in the High Desert or Sierras often remains on the market for 180 to 210 days or longer. The timeline is heavily influenced by the rigorous California "Due Diligence" period, which often spans 60 to 90 days as buyers investigate environmental constraints (CEQA), water rights, and local zoning overlays. To expedite a sale, landowners should secure a "Will Serve" letter from local utilities, as the current 10% increase in inventory has made buyers more selective regarding infrastructure availability.

What are the common closing costs for land sellers in California?

California is a title company state, where escrow officers manage the transaction. Sellers can expect to pay between 6% and 10% of the sale price in total costs, which is significantly higher than neighboring states due to high property values and localized transfer taxes. While California is not an attorney closing state, many sellers in complex commercial transactions hire counsel at rates averaging $350 to $500 per hour.

Specific costs for 2025 include:

• Transfer Tax: The base state/county rate is $1.10 per $1,000 ($0.55 per $500) of the sale price. However, "charter cities" like Oakland and Berkeley charge significantly more, with rates reaching as high as $15 to $25 per $1,000.
• Measure ULA (Los Angeles Only): For high-value land sales in the City of Los Angeles, an additional tax of 4% applies to sales over $5.3 million, and 5.5% for sales over $10.6 million (effective July 1, 2025).
• Title Insurance & Escrow Fees: Sellers customarily pay for the Owner’s Title Policy, which typically costs 0.5% to 1% of the sale price.
• Recording Fees: Generally range from $75 to $150, depending on the number of documents and county-specific surcharges.

Do I need a survey to sell my land in California?

California law does not strictly mandate a survey for every land transfer, but it is highly recommended to fulfill the state's stringent Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) requirements. In 2025, title companies frequently insist on a Record of Survey or ALTA Survey to remove "boundary and encroachment" exceptions from a title policy, especially for large rural tracts where markers may be 75+ years old. A professional boundary survey in California typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on terrain and proximity to established monuments. Failure to disclose known boundary discrepancies can lead to post-sale litigation, making a certified survey one of the best "insurance policies" a California seller can provide.

How is the land market trending in California for the next 12 months?

The California land market is entering a "stabilization phase" through late 2026. Following an essentially flat 2025, land values are forecast to rise by a modest 1% to 3.6%, with the median price projected to hit a new record of $905,000 for parcels suitable for residential development. Active listings are expected to increase by nearly 10%, providing a healthier balance after years of chronic under-supply. The market is increasingly dominated by Utility-Scale Solar and Industrial Infill demand, as the state moves toward its 2045 clean energy goals. Interest rates are expected to settle near 6.0%, which will likely bring back "buy-and-hold" investors who sat out the higher-rate environment of 2024.

Can I sell land in California if I have back taxes or title issues?

Yes, you can sell land with back taxes in California, but you must act before the five-year redemption period expires. Property in California becomes "tax-defaulted" after one year of non-payment; however, the county tax collector cannot sell the property at auction until it has been in default for five years (or three years if it has a nuisance abatement lien). Your right to redeem the property by paying all back taxes and 1.5% monthly interest ceases at 5:00 p.m. on the last business day prior to the tax sale.

For probate matters, California allows a "Power of Sale" if explicitly granted in the decedent's will, allowing the executor to sell the land without a specific court license to sell. If the property is valued under $184,500 (2025 threshold), a Small Estate Affidavit can be used to bypass formal probate entirely. These mechanisms are frequently used to clear title for Mitigation Banking or Solar Development projects that require rapid site acquisition.

What is the most in-demand type of land in California right now?

The highest demand in the 2025 California market is for Utility-Scale Solar Development and Industrial Logistics Infill. Driven by the "Solar for All" program and the state's 100% clean electricity mandate, solar-ready land in Kern, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties is experiencing a 400% surge in search volume. Developers are aggressively seeking flat, non-wetland acreage near existing high-voltage transmission lines, often offering ground leases ranging from $800 to $1,500 per acre annually. Additionally, Mitigation Banking is a massive regional driver in the Central Valley, where land is being converted from water-stressed agricultural use into environmental credits to offset the impact of massive infrastructure and housing projects elsewhere in the state.