How to Tell If a Farm Has Problems Before You Buy
To tell if a farm has problems, inspect soil quality, drainage, fencing, infrastructure, and review property records before purchasing. Look for signs like standing water, compacted soil, structural damage, or missing documentation. Catching these issues early can save buyers thousands of dollars in repairs and lost productivity. Buying farmland is one of the most significant […]
What Is Prime Farmland? A Guide for Land Buyers and Sellers
Prime farmland, as defined by the USDA, is land with the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, fiber, and forage crops. It features adequate moisture, fertile soil, good drainage, and minimal flooding risk—making it the most productive and valuable category of agricultural land. Farmland is not created equal. Some parcels […]
How Are CRP Payments Calculated? Understanding the New CRP Rental Rate Formula
If you own CRP land, you may wonder how USDA determines your CRP payments. The process has changed. USDA still uses local cash rent as a starting point. However, soil productivity can have a major effect on the final payment. Here is a simple look at how the system works. What Determines a CRP Payment? […]
How Strategic Marketing Affects Farmland Sales
Strategic marketing significantly improves farmland sales by increasing digital visibility, reaching qualified buyers through targeted outreach, and using market data to price land competitively. Landowners who combine modern marketing with traditional relationship-based approaches consistently see faster sales and stronger final prices. Selling farmland has never been as straightforward as planting a sign at the end […]
Understanding CSR2 Scores for Iowa Farmland
CSR2 scores measure the productivity of Iowa soils on a scale of 5 to 100. These scores play a major role in farmland values, cash rental rates, conservation programs, and lending decisions. Understanding your Score can help you make smarter decisions whether you’re buying, selling, renting, or managing Iowa farmland. If you into Iowa agriculture, […]
What Is a Landlocked Farm?
A landlocked farm is a parcel of agricultural land with no direct access to a public road. Instead, the property is surrounded by neighboring land, meaning the owner must cross someone else’s property to reach it. This creates unique legal, logistical, and operational challenges—especially in rural Iowa, where decades of land divisions have left many […]
Can You Own Land Without Owning the Mineral Rights?
Yes, you can legally own land without owning the mineral rights beneath it. This happens when mineral rights have been severed from surface rights through a prior sale or deed. It’s more common than most buyers realize—and it can significantly affect what you’re allowed to do with your property. Buying land feels straightforward. You sign […]
How Do You Know If a Land Offer Is Fair?
A fair land offer reflects current market conditions, comparable sales, soil quality, and location-specific demand. To evaluate one accurately, research recent comparable sales, understand your land’s unique attributes, and consult a specialist broker before accepting or rejecting any figure. You’ve received an offer on your land. Now what? That number on the page can feel […]
Why Long-Term Planning Is the Key to Smart Landownership
Long-term thinking in landownership builds generational wealth, supports environmental sustainability, and protects against market volatility. Landowners who adopt a patient, strategic mindset consistently outperform those who chase short-term gains—financially, legally, and ecologically. Most people who regret a land decision didn’t lack information. They lacked patience. The history of landownership is full of sellers who bailed […]
The Best Traits of Successful Landowners
Successful landowners share five key traits: a visionary mindset for long-term planning, sharp financial acumen, a commitment to sustainable land management, active community engagement, and a dedication to continuous learning. Mastering these traits helps maximize property value and ensures generational success. Owning land is a unique investment. Unlike residential property, rural or agricultural land requires […]