Top Land Buyers in Wooded & Timberland

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

In the 2025 Virginia real estate market, the timeline to sell vacant land typically ranges from 6 to 12 months, though velocity varies significantly by region. In high-demand urban corridors like Northern Virginia (NoVA) or near Richmond, well-priced parcels often move in 3 to 6 months due to the ongoing "housing squeeze." Conversely, remote recreational or timberland tracts in the Blue Ridge Mountains or Southside Virginia can remain on the market for 12 to 18 months. Sellers should expect a standard 30-to-45-day due diligence window, during which buyers verify zoning compliance and conduct soil "perc" tests. Cash buyers in 2025 are frequently closing in 2 to 4 weeks, providing a faster alternative for sellers willing to accept a slight discount for speed.

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

Virginia is an attorney-optional but attorney-common state. While a title company can facilitate the closing, most Virginia transactions involve real estate attorneys for deed preparation and title review, with flat fees in 2025 ranging from $750 to $1,250. Total closing costs for sellers typically range from 7% to 10% of the sale price, including commissions.

Specific costs for 2025 include:

• Grantor’s Tax (State Transfer Tax): The seller customarily pays $1.00 per $1,000 (0.1%) of the sale price. Note: In the Northern Virginia (NVTA) and Hampton Roads (HRTAC) regions, an additional regional congestion fee of $0.15 per $100 ($1.50 per $1,000) often applies.
• Recordation Tax: While the $0.25 per $100 state tax is often a buyer's expense, it is frequently negotiated or split in rural land deals.
• Title Search & Service Fees: Sellers typically pay for the title search to ensure a "marketable title," averaging $400 to $700.
• Recording Fees: Generally a flat fee of approximately $25 to $50 for the deed recordation.

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

While a survey is not strictly mandated by the Code of Virginia for a deed transfer, it is a practical necessity in 2025 for most transactions. Title insurance companies increasingly require a Boundary Survey to remove "survey exceptions" from a policy, especially in the Piedmont and Appalachian regions where old "metes and bounds" descriptions (referencing trees or rock piles) are common. In 2025, a basic boundary survey for a standard lot costs $600 to $1,500, while large rural tracts or Data Center Infill 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 3 to 4 weeks.

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

The Virginia land market is forecast for steady, resilient growth through 2026. Data from late 2025 shows a 13.1% increase in sold dollar volume and a significant 25.3% jump in active listings, indicating a transition toward a more balanced market. While inventory is rising, the "inventory relief" is being met with high demand from buyers encouraged by mortgage rates settling in the low 6% range. The most significant trend is Industrial and Data Center development in the I-95 and I-81 corridors, which is creating a "ripple effect" and driving up the value of auxiliary residential land in surrounding rural counties.

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

Yes, but you must act before a Judicial Sale (Tax Sale) is confirmed. In Virginia, land is eligible for a judicial sale once taxes are delinquent for two years. Unlike "tax deed" states, Virginia uses a judicial process that can take 6 to 18 months. You have the right to redeem the property at any time prior to the auction date by paying all delinquent taxes, penalties, and legal costs. However, once the court confirms the sale after the auction, there is generally no right of redemption for the original owner.

For inherited property, Virginia probate law provides a "Power of Sale": if a valid will explicitly grants the executor the power to sell real estate, the sale can proceed without a specific court order, potentially saving 6 to 9 months of delays. This is a primary tool for clearing titles in cases of "Heirs Property" in rural Virginia, facilitating fast sales to Solar or Data Center developers.

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

The highest demand in the 2025 Virginia market is for Data Center Footprints and Utility-Scale Solar. Virginia remains the world's largest data center market, with over 40,000 acres currently dedicated to development. Developers are aggressively moving beyond "Data Center Alley" (Loudoun County) into Prince William, Culpeper, and Louisa counties. Additionally, Utility-Scale Solar (Agrivoltaics) is a dominant regional trend; the state is struggling to balance energy needs with local tensions, making "shovel-ready" solar sites near transmission lines highly valuable. In the residential sector, Multifamily Infill in Richmond and the Tidewater area remains a top choice for developers seeking to address the state's persistent housing shortage.