55 Questions Buyers Ask When Shopping for a Farm

When a client hires me to sell their farm or hunting property, I believe it's important to learn as much as possible about that farm. We live in a world of information sharing and educated buyers are diligent when sizing-up a potential investment.

This is a list of common questions that buyers ask me when they inquire about farmland or a hunting property. In order for me to professionally represent my seller client, it's important that I know the answers or know where to locate them. I hope you find the list helpful as a memory jogger.

1. How many acres is the farm?
2. How many acres are tillable or actually farmed?
3. What’s the topography? Is it steep, rolling, flat?
4. What kind of soil does it have? NCCPI Rating?
5. Does the seller have a yield history to share?
6. If no, then what do you think average yields are, corn and soybeans?
7. Has the farm been grid sampled?
8. Does it flood? How often?
9. Is the owner farming it or is it leased to a farming?
10. Is the farmer local?
11. How long has the farmer farmed it?
12. How long has the current owner owned it?
13. Is it terraced and/or tiled?
14. Is there much erosion?
15. How many years are remaining on the existing row crop lease?
16. What are the terms of the cash rent lease?
17. How much do you think it should rent for (cash rent for row crop)?
18. When is the cash rent paid? All up front or split payment?
19. Is the lease written or verbal?
20. Does it have a hunting lease? Terms?
21. Can the lease be terminated early?
22. Does it have any harvestable timber?
23. Do you have deer pictures? Turkey?
24. Does it have established food plots?
25. Has timber ever been harvested?
26. Are any acres enrolled in CRP?
27. How much does the CRP pay annually?
28. What type of CRP is it?
29. Is the CRP in compliance?
30. Can the CRP be renewed?
31. How many years are left on the CRP contract?
32. What is the owner responsibility regarding CRP maintenance?
33. Can I talk to the FSA office about the CRP contract?
34. Does it have a pond and/or creek?
35. Are the ponds stocked?
36. How deep are the ponds?
37. What’s the condition of fence?
38. What’s the grazing ratio per animal unit?
39. Are there timber or pasture acres that can be converted to row crop?
40. Are there improvements: buildings, feed lot, corral, etc.?
41. How much are the annual property taxes?
42. Are there any additional levee or ditch district taxes?
43. Is the property levee protected?
44. Is the levee privately maintained or part of a levee district?
45. Is there public water and electric?
46. Does it have a well?
47. What are the closest grain outlets?
48. Is there any grain storage on site?
49. What’s the crop rotation history?
50. What stays with the farm, e.g., gates, corral, deer stands?
51. Has the property been surveyed? Will it be?
52. Will the seller consider owner financing?
53. Is there any chance the seller would rent it for hunting while it’s listed?
54. What are the building restrictions?
55. Is the price negotiable?

Author: Dennis Prussman

Dennis specializes in marketing Missouri land. His background includes 30 plus years of Internet marketing with a focus on real estate advertising. During this period he has developed relationships with buyers and sellers from across the country. His targeted advertising formula is meant to reach local, regional, and nationwide owners/operators and investors. Dennis believes when selling a farm, large or small, you have one opportunity to maximize it's full potential. For this reason, it's important to reach-out to as many buyer prospects as possible. Dennis is committed to professional client service and attention to detail. Local and out of state references available upon request.