Is it time to sell your rural property? If you own an acreage in or around the Calgary area, this is a great time to sell. There is an influx of newcomers from across Canada and the world into the west, and many are choosing Alberta as the place to call home. More than ever before buyers are considering rural living for the lifestyle it offers and remote working is making that possible. These families are seeking every kind of country living experience from secluded sprawling ranches to community living in small rural enclaves. There is a buyer for your little slice of paradise. The key is marketing your property to ensure that your acreage is the next sale in the rural market.
Marketing Your Acreage
There are some unique challenges to marketing an acreage for sale. Unlike a home for sale in the city, a For Sale sign and an open house don’t attract the same kind of attention. The smartest first step to selling your acreage is to partner with a Realtor® experienced in selling rural properties. An acreage expert will bring insight on pricing, connections within a network of buyers and other realtors® in the market for rural properties, and a solid marketing strategy to position your acreage favourably for sale. Here are some important considerations when selling a rural property.
Time
Patience is a virtue when it comes to selling a rural property. Although the market for acreages is growing, it still tends to move a lot slower than properties in urban areas. Buyers seeking acreage living often have very specific criteria for the property they want. Some are looking for undeveloped land where they can build the home of their dreams, some are looking for an acreage with a home and abundant space to plant crops or raise livestock, some are seeking a recreational property or weekend getaway, and still others want to live within a rural community development. The ideal buyer is out there, but it could take some extra time to find them.
Pricing
Determining the best price to list your acreage can be tricky. Typically the price of a home for sale is determined with a comparative market analysis; an evaluation of similar properties nearby that have recently sold. When your property for sale is an acreage, it is likely that there is nothing exactly like it to compare to. This is one area where a Realtor® becomes invaluable. Your agent can factor in considerations such as property access, zoning, future land use, nearby infrastructure, site improvements, and property buildings and dwellings to arrive at an accurate market value for your acreage.
Know Your Buyer
Understanding your buyers will help determine the marketing possibilities for your acreage. The MLS® is always a useful tool to reach potential buyers, but when you are marketing a rural property it can pay to get creative in your advertising strategies. If you are selling an acreage close to a lake or ski mountain consider advertising in publications that target the weekend warriors. If your acreage boasts rich and fertile soil, consider ads on websites that focus on homesteading or permaculture. If your rural property is all sprawling pastures and rolling hills, consider highlighting your property in online communities that reach the equestrian enthusiasts.
Prepare Your Property
Whenever you are selling a property, urban or rural, it is crucial to present it at its very best. If your acreage has a home, make any minor repairs, declutter, and clean. If you have outbuildings, make sure they are not in disrepair and present them in a way that indicates their ideal use (feature a workshop with tools and workbenches, stage a shed with gardening supplies). It is also important to ensure that the infrastructure and systems of your acreage are in good condition; service your septic system and fill ruts in your road or driveway.
Highlight The Amenities-Create An Experience
Buyers of rural properties are seeking a specific experience or lifestyle. Highlight the unique amenities of your property. If one of the best things about your acreage is the lake access, place a couple of Adirondack chairs and a cooler with beverages at the end of the dock to invite buyers to sit and enjoy. If your property is perfect for equestrian families, consider offering a horseback tour to potential buyers. If sprawling vistas and breathtaking sunsets are what drew you to the property, open the windows and schedule viewings at dusk. Understanding the unique appeal of your property and creating an opportunity for buyers to fall in love is a great marketing strategy.
If you are a buyer interested in exploring rural living, here are some of the
Acreages For Sale currently listed in Bearspaw, Springbank, and Elbow Valley. And learn more about buying rural property by reading Important Considerations When Buying An Acreage.
Sell Your Acreage With An Expert Calgary Realtor®
It is a great time to sell your rural property in and around the Calgary region. There are many buyers seeking the slower pace and gracious lifestyle that acreage living can afford them. If you are ready to sell your acreage, partner with a Realtor® who understands the complexities of buying and selling in the rural real estate market. The Eklund Group is an expert real estate team with extensive experience buying and selling acreages throughout southern Alberta. Understanding the unique features that make your acreage special and highlighting the appeals of acreage living to potential buyers is key to ensuring that your rural property sells quickly and for top dollar.
The Tanya Eklund Group is a dynamic, full-service team with extensive knowledge of the entire real estate market of Calgary and the surrounding area. We have cultivated a network of buyers, sellers, and support players so we can guide you through every step of the process with the most skilled professionals. And we are masterful negotiators ensuring that every offer is fair and favourable for our clients. Reach out to our team at (403) 863-7434 or through our contact form and let’s talk about what home means to you.