Top Land Buyers in Wooded & Timberland

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

In the 2025 Florida land market, the timeline to sell vacant land ranges from 30 to 180 days depending on your chosen method of sale. Direct sales to cash investors are currently closing in approximately 30 to 45 days, while traditional listings with a real estate agent typically require 90 to 180 days. Market velocity is highly localized: high-transaction counties like Miami-Dade, Lee, and Orange offer the most liquidity, with urban lots moving in roughly 80 to 90 days. Conversely, remote acreage in the Panhandle or Big Bend region can stretch past 150 days. The primary delay factor in 2025 is the 30-to-60-day due diligence period required for buyers to verify environmental constraints, such as gopher tortoise habitats or wetland delineations.

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

Florida is a title company state, which generally keeps administrative costs lower than in mandatory attorney states. However, it is customary for sellers to pay for the owner’s title insurance policy and the state-mandated transfer taxes. Total closing costs for Florida land sellers in 2025 typically range from 6% to 10% of the sale price. While hiring an attorney is optional, legal counsel for land transactions is frequently used for complex deed transfers, with average hourly rates in 2025 sitting at $231 per hour.

Specific costs for 2025 include:

• Transfer Tax (Documentary Stamp Tax): The rate for all counties except Miami-Dade is $0.70 per $100 of the purchase price. In Miami-Dade County, the rate for vacant land is $1.05 per $100 (including a $0.45 surtax).
• Title Search and Lien Search: Expect to pay between $200 and $400 to verify there are no outstanding municipal code violations or utility assessments.
• Recording Fees: Generally cost approximately $77 to $150 to record the deed and associated affidavits.
• Settlement/Escrow Fees: Title companies typically charge a flat fee between $750 and $975.

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

While Florida law does not strictly mandate a survey for a private property transfer, it is almost universally required by lenders and title insurance companies in 2025 to remove "survey exceptions" from a policy. Without a recent survey, title insurance will not cover boundary disputes, which are common in Florida due to shifting fence lines and aging subdivision markers. In 2025, a basic boundary survey for a standard residential lot costs between $500 and $1,000. For large rural tracts or waterfront properties, costs can exceed $2,500. Providing an existing survey (conducted within the last 5–10 years) is a major selling point that can expedite the closing process by 2 to 3 weeks.

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

The Florida land market for 2026 is moving into a "healthy rebalancing" phase as inventory levels have risen to a 4.9-month supply. Prices are expected to stabilize or move sideways, with modest 1% to 3% growth in major metropolitan areas, while coastal/insurance-sensitive regions may see slight price corrections. The "lock-in" effect of previous years is easing, and mortgage rates are projected to settle in the mid-6% range, encouraging a 10% to 15% increase in transaction volume. Demand is shifting away from speculative retail buying toward Utility-Scale Solar and Industrial Logistics Infill, particularly along the I-4 and I-75 corridors.

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

Yes, you can sell land with back taxes, but you must act before a Tax Deed is issued. In Florida, property taxes become delinquent after one year, and after two years, the tax certificate holder can apply for a tax deed sale. The redemption period is generous: you can redeem the property up until the moment the clerk receives full payment for the tax deed from an auction winner. For inherited property, Florida offers a unique Lady Bird Deed (Enhanced Life Estate Deed) which allows for an immediate transfer of ownership upon death without the need for probate. If a property is already in probate, a "Power of Sale" clause in the will allows the executor to sell the land without a specific court license, potentially saving 4 to 6 months of legal delays—a critical advantage for Mitigation Banking or Solar Development acquisitions.

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

The highest demand in the 2025 Florida market is for Utility-Scale Solar Development and Industrial Infill. Driven by the state's expanding renewable energy goals, solar developers are aggressively seeking 100+ acre parcels of flat, cleared land near existing transmission lines, primarily in Central and North Florida. Additionally, Mitigation Banking is a massive regional trend; developers are paying premiums for environmentally sensitive lands that can be used to restore wetlands and generate offsets for major infrastructure projects. In the residential sector, Infill lots in high-growth corridors like Sumter, Pasco, and Polk counties remain the top choice for builders looking to meet the ongoing demand for workforce housing.