Gather a tax bill, deed and any agreements about how the land is used. Then compare similar sales, choose how to find a buyer and read the whole offer. You can start with what you know and get help finding the rest.
Tell us about your land. There’s no obligation to accept an offer.
Start with what you know. These steps will help you get ready and choose the way to sell that fits you.
Write down the road, acres, property number and names on the deed. If you own several pieces, list which ones you want to sell. A map pin and directions help when there is no street address.
The Bates County Assessor’s Office handles real estate assessment and offers plat books. Ask that office about the tax record or map information if you’re unsure which land is shown. The tax value isn’t a guaranteed sale price.
The Recorder of Deeds keeps land records and records surveys and subdivision maps. Its page links to an online search that requires registration. You can also contact the office about the record or copy you need before choosing an online service.
The Recorder doesn’t perform title searches or land research for you. If the ownership history needs sorting out, ask an attorney or closing professional. You don’t need to solve every record question before talking with an agent or buyer.
Describe the road entrance and any gates. If the route crosses another property, share any written right to use it. A track you can see isn’t proof that a buyer has the same right to cross the land.
Tell buyers whether the ground is pasture, crops, woods or a mix. Share any farm, grazing or hunting agreement. Point out a pond, low wet area, steep ground or old building you know about.
Be clear about what the sale includes. Are a barn, stored equipment, fencing or several separate pieces part of the price? Write down items that will be removed. It’s easier to discuss these before an offer than just before closing.
Share known well, septic, water or power information and a few entrance and land photos. Don’t guess about future building use or connection costs. You don’t need to clear trees, replace every fence or order a new survey before asking about selling.
Ask a local land agent for recent completed sales of similar land. Compare acreage, road entrance, open ground, woods and included buildings. Keep small home lots apart from larger farming tracts. An asking price shows what someone wants, not what a buyer paid.
Choose the path that fits your time and how much work you want to take on. You can compare an offer without committing to a sale.
Check the property list and included items. Read the price, deposit, time for buyer checks and closing date. Ask what permits cancellation and how any existing farm or other use agreement would be handled.
Ask who pays each cost and what comes out of your payment. A loan balance, unpaid taxes or seller costs may reduce the money you receive. Get an estimate before deciding.
For a made-up example, an $80,000 offer with $6,000 in seller costs leaves $74,000 before other debts. A $78,000 offer with $1,000 in seller costs leaves $77,000. Compare the money you keep as well as the price and deadlines.
The land offer worksheet helps you put the terms together. These amounts explain the math, not a Bates County price estimate.
Ask who will handle closing, what papers they need and how payment will arrive. Closing finishes the sale through signed papers and payment. Read the final cost breakdown and have unclear terms explained before signing.
Share other owners’ names and any loan information early. If you’re handling inherited land or helping settle a loved one’s estate, bring the papers you already have. An attorney or closing professional can help work out who needs to sign and what else is needed.
Use our seller document checklist and Missouri seller guide for more help. If you’d like a direct offer to compare, tell Reelvest about your land. You stay in charge of the decision.
The office keeps recorded land documents, surveys and subdivision maps. Contact it about the record or copy you need. It doesn’t perform a title search for you.
The Recorder’s official page says its linked online search requires registration. Ask the office about copy options before choosing a service.
Share any agreement you have and explain the current use. Ask the buyer and closing professional how it would fit the sale.
You can begin with the land as it is. Show the current condition and ask whether repairs would help your sale before paying for them.
Local source links reviewed October 4, 2026.