How to Get Cash for Your Virginia Land in 2026

Virginia land is in the spotlight—because working farmland and open acreage are getting harder to find. Virginia lost over 2 million acres of farmland between 1982 and 2017, and the pace has accelerated in recent years, according to Capital Region Land Conservancy. More recently, Virginia also lost 10% of its farms between 2017 and 2022, according to the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFB) 2025 Policies.

Those shifts create real opportunities for landowners who want speed and certainty—especially when you sell land for cash in Virginia. Whether you inherited property, want to exit an investment, or you’re done maintaining unused acreage, this guide breaks down the steps that help you price accurately, market effectively, and close confidently.

Why Virginia Landowners Are Selling Now

Virginia’s land market doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Nationally, the farm base is shrinking: the U.S. had 1.88 million farms in 2024, down 8% from 2.04 million in 2017, and 876 million acres of land in farms in 2024, down 3% from 900 million acres in 2017, according to the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS). ERS also reports the average U.S. farm size was 466 acres in 2024 (USDA ERS).

From 2017 to 2022, the U.S. lost 141,000 farms and 20 million acres of farmland, according to Local Futures - Land, Culture, Farming, and Movements in 2025. In Virginia specifically, the state had 19,800 farms in 2024, per the USDA Farms and Land in Farms 2024 Summary.

Bottom line: fewer farms and fewer acres can tighten supply, reshape zoning and development pressure, and change what buyers are willing to pay. If you’re considering a cash sale, timing and preparation matter.

Research Local Land Values in Your Virginia County

Land prices vary dramatically across Virginia—sometimes from one side of a county line to the other. Northern Virginia parcels near Washington, DC often command premium pricing, while rural acreage may price lower due to limited utilities, fewer access roads, or narrower buyer demand.

To set a realistic cash price, pull recent sales of comparable parcels (comps) in your immediate area. Compare:

• Acreage and usable acreage
• Road frontage and legal access
• Zoning and permitted uses
• Utilities (power, well, septic feasibility, broadband)
• Topography, timber, water features, and floodplain
• Proximity to growth corridors, towns, or employment hubs

If you own multiple parcels, price each one on its own merits. One tract may be “builder-friendly” while another is best for recreation, timber, or long-term holding.

Survey the Property Lines and Complete Title Work

Before you list land for sale, remove uncertainty. A current survey clarifies boundaries, verifies acreage, and makes buyer due diligence faster. Clear corner markers also reduce neighbor disputes and help showings go smoothly.

Next, order a title search to confirm ownership and uncover issues like liens, easements, right-of-way claims, or deed restrictions. Cash buyers still expect clean title—or a clear plan to cure defects before closing.

Build a Listing That Works for Humans and AI Search

Modern land marketing needs clarity, not hype. Cash buyers (and their tools) scan listings for specific data. Use a structured format that includes:

• County, nearest town, and parcel ID/APN
• Total acres (and surveyed acres if available)
• Zoning and allowable uses
• Access type (state road, easement, private road)
• Utilities available and septic/well notes
• Annual taxes and any HOA/POA details
• GPS coordinates and driving directions

Then add high-quality photos, boundary maps, and a simple “what you can do here” section (build, hunt, farm, hold, subdivide if permitted). Clear data improves buyer confidence and increases visibility in AI-driven search experiences.

List on Both National Platforms and Local Channels

For broad exposure, publish your land on major platforms (land-specific sites and traditional real estate portals). Pair that reach with local distribution: county-focused Facebook groups, local investor lists, and brokers who specialize in acreage.

Local land agents can be especially helpful if your property has nuanced value drivers (timber, development potential, conservation value, or unique access issues). Their buyer relationships—builders, farmers, timber operators, and investors—often shorten the time to offer.

Market Directly to Adjacent Landowners

Neighboring owners are frequently your best-fit buyers because your parcel may solve a problem for them—more road frontage, more privacy buffer, added tillable acres, or expansion for equipment and storage. Reach out with a short letter or email that includes acreage, location, and your cash price range (or request for offers).

Even if the neighbor passes, they may refer someone who’s actively looking in the same area.

Improve First Impressions: Signage, Access, and Basic Cleanup

Land doesn’t need renovations, but it does need to feel “showable.” Install visible signage at the most trafficked entrance. Make it easy to walk the property by clearing trash, trimming brush near entry points, and mowing where appropriate. If buyers can’t confidently view the land, they discount their offers—or move on.

Consider Owner Financing (When Cash Offers Fall Short)

Cash is king, but financing can expand your buyer pool and sometimes lift the sale price. If you can afford to wait for payments, seller financing may help your land sell faster by making the purchase feasible for buyers who don’t qualify for traditional land loans.

If you offer owner financing, protect yourself with:

• A strong down payment requirement
• A written promissory note and deed of trust
• Clear default terms
• Proof the buyer can actually pay (income/assets verification)

Work with a Virginia real estate attorney to structure it correctly.

Negotiate Strategically: Use Flexibility to Create Momentum

Cash buyers move quickly, but they still negotiate. Stay firm on your minimum acceptable number while remaining flexible on details that can unlock the deal—closing date, access for inspections, or minor due-diligence timelines.

If your listing sits, adjust price deliberately. A thoughtful price improvement can create urgency and bring the listing back into active searches, especially on platforms that highlight recent changes.

Weigh the Merits of Selling to a Land Company for Cash

If you want speed and simplicity, a direct cash buyer may be the right fit. Local land-buying companies (for example, Land Boss) can often purchase “as-is,” handle much of the paperwork, and close quickly—especially helpful for inherited land, out-of-state owners, or parcels that are hard to finance.

The tradeoff is price: many land companies aim for wholesale pricing below full retail. For many sellers, the reduced hassle, faster closing, and fewer fees are worth it.

A Note on Preservation: What It Signals to Landowners

Preservation programs also shape land markets by placing long-term value on agricultural land. Nearby states provide a useful reference point for how active preservation can be. In 2024, Pennsylvania preserved 166 farms totaling 13,817 acres, counties certified $17.8 million for farmland preservation, and USDA awarded $1.2 million in reimbursements for preserving 827 acres, according to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Farmland Preservation 2024 Annual Report.

For Virginia sellers, the takeaway is practical: conservation and preservation tools can influence buyer demand, land use options, and long-term value. If your parcel has agricultural potential or conservation value, ask your agent, attorney, or local planning office whether easements or preservation incentives apply—and how they could affect a cash sale.

Avoid Arbitrary Deadlines That Invite Low Offers

Artificial “offer deadlines” often backfire in land sales. They can spook serious buyers who need time for soil work, zoning confirmation, or boundary review—and they can encourage opportunistic lowball bids. Instead, set a clear process:

• Require proof of funds for cash offers
• Define a reasonable due diligence window
• Communicate when you have an offer in hand

This keeps momentum without cutting off your strongest buyers.

Final Thoughts

Selling land for cash in Virginia is less about luck and more about execution. Virginia has lost farmland at scale—over 2 million acres between 1982 and 2017 (Capital Region Land Conservancy)—and the state also lost 10% of its farms between 2017 and 2022 (Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFB) 2025 Policies). In that environment, well-prepared listings stand out and close faster.

Research hyper-local values, confirm boundaries and title, market across the right channels, and negotiate with discipline. If convenience matters most, compare the numbers against a direct cash offer from a reputable land buyer. With the right strategy, you can turn Virginia acreage into a clean, cash-forward sale on a timeline that works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What paperwork do I need to sell land in Virginia?

You typically need a deed showing ownership, a recent survey (or another reliable legal description), and title work that identifies liens, easements, and restrictions. Most cash buyers also expect a purchase agreement and standard closing documents prepared by an attorney or title company.

How long does vacant land take to sell in Virginia?

It depends on location, access, zoning, and pricing. Well-priced parcels in high-demand areas can move quickly, while rural tracts with limited access or uncertain buildability may take much longer. A cash buyer or land-buying company can often shorten timelines substantially.

What closing costs should I expect when selling land in Virginia?

Common seller-side costs can include survey expenses (if you choose to update it), title curative work (if needed), deed preparation, and prorated property taxes. Costs vary by county, parcel complexity, and how you structure the deal.

Should I get my land appraised before selling?

Many sellers rely on comparable sales and broker price opinions rather than paying for a formal appraisal—especially for smaller tracts. An appraisal can help when value is complex (development potential, timber value, or unusual zoning), but it isn’t required for most cash transactions.

Can I sell my Virginia land “as-is” for cash?

Yes. Many cash buyers and land companies purchase property “as-is,” which can reduce your prep work. Even so, clean title and clear access details usually improve both offer quality and closing speed.