Vacant Lot in a Tax Deed Sale - Is it worth clearing?

[Darcy Korringa]

So we're looking at a vacant lot that is zoned commercial and up for auction at a tax deed sale. Since we don't have much knowledge or experience in the commercial side of things, I'm wondering if it's worth it to put any kind of prep into the property.

There's a lot of stuff built around this lot, but the lot itself is just a bunch of trees that would need to be cleared away before there would be enough room to so much as pitch a tent.

When it comes to commercial property, is it worth the time and money to clear a lot before putting it up for sale? Would that help it to sell faster, or is it one of those things that commercial builders deal with so routinely that it doesn't even come into consideration before buying?

Is there anything else we could do to make a vacant commercial lot more attractive to potential buyers?