How Long Will It Take to Sell Land in Virginia in 2026?

Selling land in Virginia can take anywhere from a few weeks to many months. Your timeline depends on where the parcel sits, how it’s zoned, how it’s priced, and what buyers can realistically do with it. The good news: Virginia’s land market still shows clear demand signals—even as transaction volume has cooled from the peak—so sellers who prepare well and price strategically can move faster and protect value.

Snapshot: Virginia Land Market Conditions (2023–2024)

Virginia’s agricultural land market provides some of the clearest, most measurable indicators of pricing and buyer behavior.

• In 2023, the average price-per-acre for agricultural land in Virginia was $5,434, and the average tract size was 65.7 acres per sale, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.
• That same report estimated (via USDA NASS) Virginia agricultural land values at an average of $5,300 per acre in 2023, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023 (citing USDA NASS).
• Sales activity slowed: Virginia agricultural land sales totaled 1,461 transactions in 2023, a 32.3% decrease from 2,159 in 2022, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.
• For agricultural land tracts of 20 acres or more, statewide transaction volume declined by 32.2% in 2023, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.
• Price distribution matters when you’re setting expectations: in 2023, 76% of Virginia agricultural land sales were under $7,000/acre, 22% were $7,000–$13,000/acre, and 5.7% were over $13,000/acre, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.
• At the high end, only 29 agricultural parcels sold for over $15,000 per acre in 2023, down from 209 in 2022, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.
• Location still drives speed and price: the Northern District had the highest mean agricultural land value at $8,854 per acre in 2023, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.
• Looking into the most recent trendline, farm real estate values in Virginia increased 10.4% from 2023 to 2024, according to Morning Ag Clips - Lease Agreements Keep Farmers in Business, Ag Land in Production.

Scale also matters. As of December 31, 2023, Virginia has 25,340,160 total acres, including 18,789,439 acres of privately-held agricultural land, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Annual Report on Virginia Agricultural Land in Foreign Ownership. This large base of privately held land means buyers have options—so your parcel has to stand out on clarity, access, and price.

What Determines How Long It Takes to Sell Land in Virginia?

Land doesn’t sell like a house. Many parcels require extra buyer research (zoning, well/septic viability, easements, timber value, floodplain, road frontage), and that diligence affects timelines. These factors typically have the biggest impact:

1) Location and local demand

Parcels near growth corridors (Northern Virginia, Richmond suburbs, Charlottesville, Hampton Roads) often attract more qualified buyers. Rural parcels can still sell quickly, but they usually need sharper pricing and stronger documentation. The fact that the Northern District led the state at $8,854 per acre in mean agricultural value in 2023 highlights how dramatically region can influence both price and pace, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.

2) Parcel size and buyer pool

Smaller tracts tend to draw more individual buyers, while larger acreage can narrow the audience to investors, farmers, and experienced landowners. In 2023, the average agricultural land sale size was 65.7 acres, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023. If your parcel is well above or below local norms, expect marketing time to change accordingly.

3) Zoning, entitlements, and feasibility

Buyers pay for certainty. Clear zoning, a feasible building site, and documented utility options (power, well, septic) reduce perceived risk and shorten decision-making. Unclear land-use restrictions or unresolved access issues can stretch timelines.

4) Access, terrain, and usability

Road frontage, drivable entrances, and buildable topography move the needle. Land that needs new easements, major clearing, or expensive driveway work often sits longer unless priced to reflect those costs.

5) Pricing realism (and what the market is actually paying)

Pricing land correctly is the fastest way to reduce time on market. In 2023, 76% of agricultural land sales in Virginia closed under $7,000 per acre, while only 5.7% exceeded $13,000 per acre, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023. Even more telling: only 29 parcels sold for over $15,000 per acre in 2023 (down from 209 in 2022), per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023. If you price for a rare outcome, plan for a longer wait.

6) Lease status and buyer preferences

If your land is leased, that can either help (income-producing) or slow things down (access limits, tenant rights, or buyer restrictions). In Virginia, about 33% of all agricultural acreage was leased in 2022, according to Morning Ag Clips - Lease Agreements Keep Farmers in Business, Ag Land in Production (citing the Census of Agriculture). Clear lease documentation, terms, and transferability can prevent delays during negotiations and due diligence.

Typical Timeline to Sell Land in Virginia (Open Market)

Every deal differs, but most Virginia land sales follow a predictable sequence. Here’s a realistic, modern timeline many sellers experience when listing with an agent or broker.

Phase 1: Strategy and pricing (1–2 weeks)

• Confirm zoning, access, and any known restrictions or easements.
• Review comparable land sales and current competition.
• Decide whether to sell “as-is” or make targeted improvements (clearing, entrance work, debris removal).

Phase 2: Prep, documentation, and listing (1–4 weeks)

• Order (or locate) a survey; identify corners and boundaries.
• Gather title information and disclosures; clarify easements and right-of-way.
• Create strong marketing assets: maps, boundary overlays, drone photos, and a clear “highest and best use” description.
• List on the MLS and major land platforms; deploy signage and digital campaigns.

Phase 3: Marketing and offers (30–120+ days)

• Show the property and answer buyer questions about feasibility (septic, well, utilities, road access, zoning).
• Negotiate price, contingencies, and closing schedule.

In a slower activity environment—like the one reflected by the 32.3% year-over-year drop in agricultural land transactions in 2023—marketing time can expand if your parcel competes with many similar listings, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.

Phase 4: Due diligence and closing (30–60 days)

• Buyer completes inspections, feasibility studies, surveys, and financing steps (if applicable).
• Attorneys and title company finalize closing documents.
• Deed records and funds disburse.

Bottom line: 3–6 months is a common range

Many Virginia land sellers can still expect an average total timeline of roughly 3–6 months from listing to closing when the property is priced correctly and documentation is clean. Faster sales happen in high-demand pockets; longer timelines are common for remote parcels, unusual tracts, or listings priced above what recent sales support.

How to Sell Land Faster in Virginia (Without Giving It Away)

If speed matters, focus on reducing buyer uncertainty and friction.

• Anchor your price to real sales. Use local comps and the market’s demonstrated ranges. For context, the statewide average agricultural sale price was $5,434 per acre in 2023, while USDA NASS estimated an average value of $5,300 per acre, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.
• Pre-package due diligence. Surveys, easement clarity, soil/septic info (when available), and accurate maps reduce the back-and-forth that drags timelines out.
• Improve first access. A clean entrance, marked boundaries, and a drivable path to key areas can change how buyers perceive effort and cost.
• Market like a modern land listing. Use drone imagery, GIS overlays, and a description that clearly states what the land can be used for—and what it can’t.
• Be transparent about leases. With roughly 33% of Virginia agricultural acreage leased (2022), buyers often ask about tenant status early; provide terms upfront, per Morning Ag Clips - Lease Agreements Keep Farmers in Business, Ag Land in Production.
• Stay flexible on deal structure. Owner financing or a clean contingency framework can expand the buyer pool and shorten negotiation cycles.

Alternative Option: Selling to a Land Buying Company

If you prioritize speed and certainty over maximizing retail price, a land buying company can be a practical alternative. These buyers typically purchase “as-is,” can close quickly, and often eliminate showings and extended due diligence. The tradeoff is that offers usually reflect wholesale pricing rather than full market exposure.

Final Takeaways

Virginia land can sell quickly when you remove uncertainty, price based on real market behavior, and market aggressively to the right buyer profile. Recent data shows a market with strong long-term value signals—farm real estate values rose 10.4% from 2023 to 2024, per Morning Ag Clips - Lease Agreements Keep Farmers in Business, Ag Land in Production—but also a meaningful cooldown in activity, with 2023 agricultural land transactions down 32.3%, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023. In that environment, preparation and pricing discipline often decide whether your land sells in months—or lingers far longer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to sell land in Virginia?

Many sellers should plan for 3–6 months from listing to closing, assuming the land is priced competitively and has clear documentation. Hot locations can move faster; remote parcels or overpriced tracts can take much longer.

What market data should I use when pricing Virginia land?

Use nearby comparable sales first, then validate your expectations with broader indicators. In 2023, Virginia’s average agricultural sale price was $5,434 per acre and USDA NASS estimated an average value of $5,300 per acre, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.

Why do some Virginia land listings take longer than others?

Timelines usually stretch when buyers face uncertainty—zoning questions, septic feasibility, unclear easements, poor access, or pricing that doesn’t match recent sales. Market activity also matters: agricultural land transactions fell by 32.3% in 2023, per Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023.

Does land sell faster in Northern Virginia?

Often, yes—because demand is higher. The Northern District had the highest mean agricultural land value in the state at $8,854 per acre in 2023, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Publications - Agricultural Land Sales in Virginia, 2023, which reflects stronger pricing pressure and typically deeper buyer pools.

How much agricultural land is privately held in Virginia?

As of December 31, 2023, Virginia had 25,340,160 total acres, including 18,789,439 acres of privately-held agricultural land, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Annual Report on Virginia Agricultural Land in Foreign Ownership.

Is it faster to sell to a land buying company?

Usually, yes. Direct buyers can often close in weeks because they streamline showings, contingencies, and listing time. The tradeoff is convenience and speed versus maximizing open-market price.