Land staging-The magic of access

[Account Closed]

Land Staging-The magic of access

Not providing convenient access to the proposed house site(s) on a parcel of land is like trying to show a house with the door locked. This is one of the most important principals in land staging and overlooked by most owner/agents marketing land-provide convenient access. Providing access also forces us determine what the highest and best use is and where we should be leading the customers to exactly. There are five rules explained below:

Rule #1 Show the sweet spot(s). If the land has a great building site or two, you need to determine where that is and clear an area so the customer knows they have arrived. Putting a picnic table at the house site and clearing some views would be a big help. The sweet spot is primarily what you are selling.

Rule #2 provide a plan. The customer (and other brokers) need a plan to show them where they are. Customers want to orientate themselves. Would you go on a camping trip without a map?

Rule #3 Flag and mark important points. It’s very helpful to flag property lines, proposed house sites, and strategic points so guessing does not occur. Neon survey flagging is sold at hardware stores and carry a magic marker to write on the flagging what the point is.

Rule #4 Provide convenient access. The customer needs to be able to walk or drive to the sweet spot easily and safely. I always assume a female broker with a city couple will be driving a Lexus SUV to the sweet spot. This forces me to make the “broker drive†safe, easily navigable and free of branches and twigs that will scratch vehicles.

Rule #5 Don’t over do it. Don’t cut anymore trees than necessary, swerve around big trees and never put in a major drive as the new owner may want to change the location.

Remember, people buying land are not on a Lewis & Clark expedition and need to access the sweet spots easily, quickly and safely. Furthermore, other brokers will feel comfortable showing their clients. Providing convenient access will increase the chances of selling your land exponentially.