Should I keep or sell my vacant land?
The short answer
Keep it if you have a real plan for it, like building, farming, hunting or passing it to family, and the yearly costs are easy to carry. Consider selling if you don't use it, don't plan to, and are paying property taxes and upkeep every year without getting anything back. Selling turns an ongoing expense into cash you can use now.
By Esther & Luke Mbongo, owners of Good Shepherd Land Co. · Updated November 5, 2026
The real cost of holding land
Vacant land doesn't cost much day to day, but the costs add up over the years:
- Property taxes, every year, and they can go up after reappraisals
- Upkeep, such as mowing, clearing, fencing, or code violations if the land is in town
- Liability if someone is hurt on the land, and the cost of insurance
- HOA or road fees, for some lots
- Your time and attention, especially if you live far away
Good reasons to keep it
- You plan to build, farm, hunt or camp on it
- It has family meaning and someone wants it
- It's in a growing area and you can afford to wait
- It earns income, for example from a farm lease or timber
Signs it may be time to sell
- You haven't visited in years, or have never seen it
- You inherited it and no one in the family wants it
- Back taxes are building up (see what happens if you have back taxes on land)
- You'd rather have the money for something else, like debt, a home or retirement
Questions to ask yourself
- Will I use this land in the next five years?
- What does it cost me each year, including my time?
- What would I do with the money if I sold it?
- Would anyone in my family want it, and have I asked?
There's no wrong answer. Knowing what your land could sell for makes the decision easier, and finding out is free.
Find out what your land could sell for
Get a no-obligation cash offer in about 48 hours. Then you can decide with real numbers, with no pressure either way.
Related
- How much is my land worth?
- How do I sell land I inherited in Tennessee?
- What happens if I have back taxes on land?
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every property and family situation is different. For advice about your situation, talk with a real estate attorney.