How to find buyers for a ranch

[Alexis Morin]

Hi all-

I manage a breeding facility for horses. It’s on 132 acres of mostly pasture. There are 2 nice homes, 3 mobile homes, 2 small barns, 2 equipment sheds, 3 wells. 

The owner doesn’t want to list it. I’m looking for a private buyer and have it on some niche pages like horseproperties.net and land.com but these are drawing zero leads. I think the land would honestly be more valuable for investment rather than a breeding facility but I don’t know how to approach pivoting my marketing pitch away from horse people towards investors. Would love thoughts and ideas! 

Oh, they place is in Valley View TX, an hour north of downtown DFW.

Many thanks!

[KC Pake]

Quote from @Alexis Morin:

Hi all-

I manage a breeding facility for horses. It’s on 132 acres of mostly pasture. There are 2 nice homes, 3 mobile homes, 2 small barns, 2 equipment sheds, 3 wells. 

The owner doesn’t want to list it. I’m looking for a private buyer and have it on some niche pages like horseproperties.net and land.com but these are drawing zero leads. I think the land would honestly be more valuable for investment rather than a breeding facility but I don’t know how to approach pivoting my marketing pitch away from horse people towards investors. Would love thoughts and ideas! 

Oh, they place is in Valley View TX, an hour north of downtown DFW.

Many thanks!

Hi Alexis - 

Given the size and facilities of your property, it's clear that it has a lot of potential, both as a horse breeding facility and for other purposes. You've already listed on niche sites like horseproperties.net and land.com, which is a great start.

Highlight Versatility in Listings: When advertising the property, emphasize its versatility. Highlight the features that could appeal to a wider range of buyers, such as the size of the land, the existing homes, and infrastructure like the wells and sheds. This can attract buyers interested in agriculture, ranching, or even real estate development.

Utilize Social Media and Online Platforms: Don't underestimate the power of social media and online real estate platforms. Websites like Zillow, Trulia, and even Facebook Marketplace can reach a wide audience.

Engage with Real Estate Agents Specializing in Land and Investment Properties: Contact real estate agents who specialize in land and investment properties. They often have a network of potential buyers who might be interested in such a large and versatile property.

Explore Local Investment Groups and Real Estate Forums: Since the property is near DFW, there might be local investment groups or real estate forums interested in such opportunities. Engaging with these groups can provide valuable exposure.

Create a Virtual Tour: A virtual tour can help potential buyers from afar appreciate the scope and potential of the property.

Market to Different Industries: Think beyond the horse breeding industry. The property might be suitable for other agricultural ventures, eco-tourism, or even as a retreat center.

Offer Detailed Information: Provide detailed information about the property, including its potential for development or conversion to other uses. This can help investors understand the opportunity.

Consider Professional Property Valuation: Having a professional valuation that highlights the investment potential could add credibility and attract serious buyers.

Below are a few website options for your review:

These websites cater to a niche audience interested in agricultural, rural, and farm properties, and can be an effective way to reach potential buyers:

LandWatch: This is a popular site for listing and finding rural properties, including farms, ranches, and undeveloped land. It allows property owners to list directly and reaches a large audience interested in land investments.

Land And Farm: This website specializes in farms, ranches, hunting land, and other rural land for sale. It's a great place to list properties as it attracts buyers who are specifically interested in this type of real estate.

LoopNet: While known for commercial real estate, LoopNet also lists agricultural properties. It's a good option for reaching investors who might be interested in the potential of your land for non-agricultural development.

Craigslist: Although more general, Craigslist can be effective, especially for local exposure. It allows you to list properties for free and can be a good way to reach a local audience.

Zillow and Trulia: While these are more mainstream real estate websites, they do have sections for farms and ranches. They can provide significant exposure due to their popularity.

Lands of America: Part of the CoStar Realty Information, Inc. family, this site is dedicated to rural and agricultural properties, including farms, ranches, timberland, and more.

LandLeader: This is a marketing and real estate listing service that specializes in high-quality rural, farm, ranch, recreational, and timber properties.

Ranch World Ads: Focused specifically on ranch properties, this site can be a good place to list if your property has the infrastructure and potential to be used as a ranch.

Each of these websites has its own audience and reach, so you might want to consider listing your property on multiple platforms to maximize exposure. Remember to include detailed descriptions and high-quality photos to make your listing stand out.

Best of luck finding a buyer,

KC