Inheriting land can feel like an unexpected gift — until you realize you’re also inheriting property taxes, potential maintenance responsibilities, and complex decisions about what to do next. For many families, inherited vacant land sits unused for years, quietly accumulating costs while the family debates what to do.
First: Understand What You Actually Own
Before making any decisions, it’s important to understand exactly what you’ve inherited. Start by locating the deed and confirming the property boundaries, acreage, and legal description. You’ll also want to check:
- Whether there are any back taxes owed on the property.
- Whether the title is clear or whether there are liens or encumbrances.
- Whether multiple heirs share ownership (which can complicate decisions).
- What the zoning and any deed restrictions say about permitted uses.
Option 1: Keep the Land as an Investment
If the land is in a growth area and you can comfortably absorb the carrying costs, holding may be worth considering. Well-located land in growing markets across the South has appreciated significantly over the past decade.
Not sure whether the carrying costs are worth it? Read our guide on the hidden costs of holding vacant land before making your decision.
Option 2: List It With a Realtor
You can list inherited land with a traditional real estate agent, but be prepared for a process that may take longer than expected. Vacant land is notoriously slow to sell on the MLS — the buyer pool for raw land is smaller than for homes, and agents who specialize in land are harder to find. Agent commissions of 6–10% can also significantly reduce your net proceeds.
Option 3: Sell Directly to a Land Buyer
For many heirs, the fastest and cleanest solution is to sell directly to a professional land buyer like Bailey Buys:
- No listings, no showings, no waiting for a buyer to appear.
- No agent commissions — you keep more of the proceeds.
- We work through any title issues or back taxes at closing.
- Closing through a licensed title company is legal, secure, and properly documented.
- Timeline is flexible — we work around your family situation.
Learn more about how the Bailey Buys selling process works from start to finish.
Bailey Buys regularly assists heirs with land that has title complications, back taxes, or multiple co-owners. We have experience navigating exactly these situations — so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
What If There Are Multiple Heirs?
One of the most common complications in inherited land transactions is co-ownership among siblings or other family members. When multiple heirs share ownership, every decision requires agreement from all parties. At Bailey Buys, we are experienced in working with multi-heir situations — we can communicate with all parties and work at whatever pace the family needs.
What About Back Taxes?
Back property taxes are common in inherited land situations. The good news is that they do not have to be paid out of pocket before you sell. In most cases, they are satisfied at closing from the sale proceeds. A title company will identify any outstanding taxes and ensure they are paid before the deed transfers.
Get a Free Offer on Your Inherited Land | BaileyBuys.com | 214.890.6159
