Top Land Buyers in Wooded & Timberland

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

In the current 2025 Oregon market, the average timeline to sell vacant land ranges from 6 to 12 months, though velocity varies significantly by land use and proximity to urban centers. Residential infill lots in the Portland Metro, Salem, and Bend corridors often move in 60 to 90 days due to persistent housing shortages and state-level "middle housing" mandates. Conversely, remote recreational or forestland parcels in Eastern Oregon or the Coast Range frequently require 12 to 24 months to find a buyer. The timeline is primarily driven by Oregon's strict Land Use Planning system; buyers typically require 45 to 90 days of due diligence to verify Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) status, wetland constraints, and water right availability, particularly in drought-sensitive basins.

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

Oregon is a title and escrow state, meaning neutral third-party escrow officers manage the closing process rather than mandatory attorneys. Sellers should expect total closing costs to range from 7% to 10% of the final sale price, with real estate commissions (averaging 5% to 6%) being the largest expense. Notably, Oregon is one of the few states with no state-level real estate transfer tax, with one major exception.

Specific costs for 2025 include:

• Washington County Transfer Tax: The only county-level transfer tax in Oregon is in Washington County, charged at $1.00 per $1,000 (0.1%) of the purchase price, customarily split 50/50 between buyer and seller.
• Title Insurance: It is customary in Oregon for the seller to pay for the Owner’s Title Policy, which typically costs 0.3% to 0.5% of the sale price.
• Escrow/Settlement Fee: Usually ranges from $450 to $900, often split between the buyer and seller.
• Recording Fees: Generally range from $100 to $200 for standard deed recordation across most counties.
• Attorney Fees: While optional, legal counsel for land partitions or 1031 exchanges typically averages $250 to $350 per hour in 2025.

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

A new survey is not strictly mandated by Oregon law for a deed transfer; however, Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 209.250) require that any survey performed by a licensed professional that sets a property corner must be filed with the County Surveyor. Practically, most title companies and lenders in 2025 require a Boundary Survey to remove "survey exceptions" from a policy, especially for large rural tracts where historical "metes and bounds" descriptions are common. In 2025, a basic survey for a residential lot costs $800 to $1,500, while large-scale Solar Infill or timberland sites can exceed $5,000. Providing an existing survey (conducted within the last 10 years) is a major selling point that can expedite the sale by 4 weeks.

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

The Oregon land market is forecast for steady, modest growth of 1% to 3% through late 2026. The market has shifted into a "balanced" state, as active inventory has recovered to approximately 3.5 months of supply. While high interest rates have tempered the rapid surges of 2021–2023, Oregon's HB 2001 (Middle Housing) and SB 1537 (Housing Infrastructure) continue to drive demand for residential infill. Market activity is currently strongest in Central Oregon (Bend/Redmond) and the Willamette Valley, where lifestyle-driven demand from "equity migrants" remains a powerful force despite broader economic cooling.

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

Yes, but you must act before the two-year redemption period ends. In Oregon, property is subject to foreclosure once taxes are three years delinquent (as of May 16th). Once the court grants a judgment of foreclosure, a two-year redemption period begins. During this window, the owner can redeem the property by paying all delinquent taxes, penalties, and a 5% penalty. Under Oregon HB 2089 (effective Sept 26, 2025), counties can no longer retain surplus equity from tax sales; any proceeds above the debt must now be returned to the former owner or reported as unclaimed property.

For inherited property, Oregon law allows for "Small Estate" affidavits for estates with real property valued under $200,000, allowing heirs to sell land after a 30-day waiting period without full probate. For larger estates, a "Power of Sale" granted in a will allows an executor to sell land without a specific court order, reducing the sale timeline from 12 months to roughly 90 days. This is a primary tool for clearing title for high-demand Solar or Industrial Infill projects.

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

The highest demand in the 2025 Oregon market is for Utility-Scale Solar and "Middle Housing" Infill. Driven by state clean energy mandates, developers are aggressively seeking large, flat parcels (often 1,000+ acres) in Morrow and Klamath counties for "solar-plus-storage" projects, frequently utilizing loopholes for "marginal" farmland. Additionally, Industrial Logistics Infill near the Port of Portland and I-5 corridor remains a top-tier asset class. In the residential sector, "Shovel-Ready" Infill lots that qualify for duplex or triplex development are the top choice for builders seeking to capitalize on new state density laws while bypassing the high cost of raw land infrastructure.