Top Land Buyers in Residential Lots

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

In the current 2025 Louisiana market, the average timeline to sell vacant land is 6 to 12 months. Velocity is highly regionalized; infill lots in Baton Rouge or the Metairie/New Orleans suburbs often move within 90 to 120 days, while remote timberland or coastal marshland in Cameron or Plaquemines parishes may remain on the market for over 18 months. The timeline is frequently extended by Louisiana’s "Due Diligence" phase, which typically lasts 45 to 60 days as buyers investigate wetland delineations and oil/gas/mineral (OGM) rights, which are almost universally severed or reserved in the state. Sellers who provide a recent Clean Title Opinion and verify flood zone status can often reduce their time on market by 30%.

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

Louisiana is primarily a title company state, though transactions are frequently facilitated by Civil Law Notaries or attorneys who prepare the Act of Sale. While hiring an attorney is not legally mandated for all closings, it is the standard practice for ensuring a clear title chain, with average 2025 rates sitting at $235 per hour. Sellers typically pay between 6% and 9% of the sale price in total expenses, including commissions.

Specific costs for 2025 include:

• Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps: Louisiana is one of the few states with no state real estate transfer tax (0.00%). There are no documentary stamps required at the state level.
• Recording Fees: Generally range from $100 to $300 per parish, depending on the length of the Act of Sale and additional affidavits.
• Title Search & Insurance: Sellers customarily pay for the Owner’s Title Policy, which averages $0.50 to $1.00 per $1,000 of the purchase price.
• Parish-Specific Fees: Some parishes may charge small environmental or administrative "surcharges" ranging from $25 to $50.

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

While Louisiana state law does not strictly mandate a survey for every land transfer, it is almost impossible to secure Title Insurance without a Boundary Survey or a Survey Plat. In Louisiana’s low-lying and river-heavy terrain, a survey is critical to determine mean high-water lines and property elevations. In 2025, a standard boundary survey for a residential lot costs $500 to $1,500, while large-scale rural acreage or Mitigation Banking sites can exceed $4,000. Providing an existing survey (conducted within the last 10 years) is a major selling point that prevents deal-killing boundary disputes, which are a common trigger for litigation in the state's rural parishes.

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

The Louisiana land market is forecast to remain stable with localized growth through late 2026. While coastal land values are under pressure from rising insurance costs, Inland Industrial Infill land near the Mississippi River corridor remains highly sought after. The most significant trend is the "Solar Land Rush" in Northern and Central Louisiana, where flat agricultural land is being converted into utility-scale solar farms. Overall, land values are expected to grow by 1.2% to 2.5%. Inventory levels have normalized, shifting the market toward a balanced state where buyers have more leverage to demand Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and soil testing prior to closing.

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

Yes, but you must navigate Louisiana’s unique three-year tax redemption period. In Louisiana, if property taxes go unpaid, the state or local government holds a "tax sale." The property owner has 3 years from the date of recordation of the tax sale to redeem the property by paying the delinquent taxes, penalties, and 12% annual interest. If the property is considered "blighted" or abandoned, this redemption window can be shortened to 18 months.

For inherited property, Louisiana follows Succession law rather than standard probate. If a decedent’s will grants a "Power of Sale" to the executor (Independent Executor), the land can be sold without a specific court order for the license to sell, potentially saving 4 to 8 months of legal delays. This streamlined succession is frequently used to clear titles for Solar Development or Mitigation Banking projects that require rapid site acquisition. Top regional land uses driving quick title clearance currently include Coastal Mitigation Banking and Industrial Infill.

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

The highest demand in the 2025 Louisiana market is for Mitigation Banking and Utility-Scale Solar Development. Driven by the state's Coastal Master Plan and large-scale infrastructure projects, developers are paying a premium for ecologically significant lands that can be used to restore wetlands and generate environmental credits. Additionally, Industrial Logistics Infill near the Port of South Louisiana and the Port of New Orleans remains a top-tier asset class. In the residential sector, "shovel-ready" Infill lots in St. Tammany and Lafayette parishes are the top choice for builders looking to meet the ongoing demand for workforce housing outside of high-flood-risk zones.