How to Contact Developers to Buy My Commercial Land

Real estate developers can be contacted directly to buy your commercial land.

Real estate developers are constantly on the lookout to acquire parcels of commercial land. Their ability to develop and build the next retail mall, apartment complex or office building is dependent on their ability to find suitable commercial land. If you are an owner of a commercial land parcel, approach developers directly to solicit their interest in acquiring your site. If you are well-prepared and knowledgeable, developers will be receptive to you contacting them about the sale of your commercial land.

Things You'll Need

• Camera
• Business journal, newspaper or trade publication

Instructions

1. Call your local zoning department to obtain information about your property, including the property size, current zoning and permitted uses.

2. Take pictures of your property with a digital camera. These pictures should clearly show the terrain of the site, the adjacent properties and nearby roads and intersections.

3. Call local real estate brokers to obtain estimates of what your property might be worth. They can usually quickly provide you with an accurate value range.

4. Prepare a brochure that includes the relevant information on your property, pictures, maps and your proposed sale price. Professional-looking marketing materials can help give you a competitive advantage.

5. Find active real estate developers in the area. This information can be found in local newspapers, business journals and trade publications. Owners and tenants of nearby commercial properties can also be a good source of information on active developers that are looking to acquire land.

6. Deliver the marketing brochure you have prepared on your property to the developers you have targeted. Follow up with a phone call or face-to-face visit to discuss the specifics of your property and to gauge their interest.

Tips & Warnings

• Using a commercial real estate broker to market your land to developers will cost you a sales commission that will typically range between 5 and 7 percent of the sale price. Many brokers can provide valuable services that could potentially result in making you more money. These services include developer contacts, professional marketing, negotiation assistance and valuation expertise.

References

• Northwestern University: The Relative Performance of Real Estate Marketing Platforms
• Robert Irwin: A Successful Marketing Plan for Owners