Find a tax bill or deed and make a short list of what you want to sell. Gather the papers you have, compare prices and choose how to find buyers. An agent, selling yourself and a direct offer are choices to consider. Missing papers can be worked through as you get started.
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.
Start with a recent tax bill, deed or old survey. Write down the parcel number, acres if known and nearest road. A parcel number is the county’s number for a piece of land.
List the pieces you want to sell and any buildings, fences or other items included. Say if you want to keep part. A single tax bill may not answer every question about what is in the sale.
Think about your goal. Is the best price most important, or do you want less work or a sale around a certain date? Compare choices with that goal in mind. If you live far away, start with the papers and dated photos you have at home.
The Richland County Land Information page links its public map and parcel records. A parcel record can help you find the right piece and its tax details. It is different from a copy of the deed.
Use the parcel number on your tax bill or deed if you have one. Check the location, road and acres before using a record. An owner’s mailing address may be different from the land’s location. Empty land may have no street address.
The county’s Land Information contacts page lists the Real Property Lister at 608-647-3334. Call if you need help finding the right record. Have your paper handy and explain which land you mean.
A map helps you get oriented. It does not settle an unclear boundary or prove a right to cross a neighbor’s land. If the paper and map seem to disagree, keep the question on your list and ask for help before promising a buyer a specific line or route.
Gather your deed, tax bills, survey, loan details and any lease or written road agreement. A survey is a measured drawing of the boundaries. Keep any rules or fees that came with a lot.
The Richland County Register of Deeds keeps recorded land papers, including deeds and mortgages. Call 608-647-3011 about a missing deed. Have names, an approximate purchase year and any document number or book and page ready.
Ask how to get the copy you need and what it costs. The office lists 181 West Seminary Street, Room 3, in Richland Center. Its page also links online document access. Online copies may have fees, so check before paying. If you only need one paper, ask the office for the simplest way to get it.
The county Land Information page also links a Plat of Survey Map. If you are looking for an old survey, ask whether a copy is available for your piece. Don’t assume every piece has a recorded survey.
A deed copy is not a full check of ownership, loans and other claims. If you’re handling inherited land or helping settle a loved one’s estate, gather what you have. Ask a title company or real estate attorney who needs to sign and which papers are missing.
Our land seller document checklist can help. Keep private family and loan papers out of a public ad.
Give buyers a short description from facts you know. Add dated photos, directions and the best way to arrange a visit. Mark details you still need to check.
If the land has pasture, crop ground and woods, describe each part. Note steep or wet stretches, gates and fences you know about. A buyer may care about how much ground is easy to reach as well as the total acres.
If someone farms, grazes animals or cuts hay on your land, keep the agreement handy. Tell the person helping with the sale about the current use, payments and any planned work. Ask how it affects when a buyer can take over. Don’t promise the land will be empty by a certain date before checking.
If a hunting or other use agreement is in place, keep that too. Say how you reach the land and share a written road agreement if you have one. A track on a map does not prove a right to use it.
Say which connections work on the land now. A nearby power line is different from a working connection. Before a visit, explain who can give permission to enter and who can unlock a gate.
Ask a local land agent or appraiser for recent completed sales that buyers would compare with yours. Ask how the prices were checked and what that help costs.
Match similar size, ground, road access and included items. Open ground with an easy way in can be a poor match for steep woods reached by a shared route. A farm sale with a home or buildings is different from empty land.
Keep each sale’s price, date, acres and included items together. If several pieces sold in one deal, check the whole deal before assigning a price to one piece. Count it once even if several websites show it.
An ad shows an asking price, not proof of what was paid. A tax value is different too. If good matches are scarce, ask for a range and the reasons behind it. Our land value guide explains more price factors.
Use an agent: A land agent can help with pricing, ads, showings and offers. Ask about the fee, listing length and recent work with land like yours.
Sell yourself: You handle the ad, questions, visits and offers. You may still need help with the agreement and closing.
Compare a direct offer: A direct buyer may give you another choice without listing the land. Check the price and terms against your goals. You can say no.
Before arranging a visit, explain how to reach the land and who can give permission to enter. Keep private records out of the listing. Share needed papers with the people helping with the sale.
Get the offer and terms in writing. Check the right pieces of land are included. Ask who pays closing costs, any agent fee and other charges. Ask how a loan or unpaid taxes will be paid.
A higher price may leave you with less money if you pay more costs. For example, $30,000 less $2,000 in costs leaves $28,000 before a loan or tax balance. That is made-up math, not a price for your land.
Read the target date and what lets the buyer cancel or ask for a lower price. Ask who holds the deposit and what happens to it. Use our land offer worksheet to compare offers side by side.
If you’d like a direct offer to compare, tell Reelvest about your land. You decide whether an offer fits.
Ask who will handle closing—the final papers and payment. Have that person explain the land description, owners who must sign, costs and money you would receive.
Ask how any lease, road agreement or rules that came with the lot affect the sale papers. If a name or boundary is unclear, get help before signing. A target date does not mean all the checks are finished.
Confirm payment instructions with the closing office using a phone number you already trust. Keep copies of the signed agreement and final papers. Our Wisconsin land seller guide gives more general steps.
No. Start with the location and papers you have. Ask for help with missing information while comparing selling choices.
The county Land Information page links parcel records and the public map. Use your parcel number if you have it. Ask the Real Property Lister for help at 608-647-3334.
No. A parcel record helps identify the land and tax details. The Register of Deeds keeps recorded land papers. Call 608-647-3011 about a deed copy.
Start by calling the Register of Deeds about the paper you need and its cost. The office also links online document access, where copies may have fees.
Keep the agreement and explain the current use. Ask how it affects the sale and when a buyer can take over before promising a date.
Gather what you have. Ask a title company or real estate attorney who needs to sign and which papers are missing.
No. Use these steps with an agent, your own buyer or a direct offer. You can ask Reelvest for an offer to compare if you want.
Local source links reviewed October 7, 2026.