Winter 2015

MARKET
OUR 2016 LAND MARKET OUTLOOK SURVEY
The results are in from our 2016 Land Market Outlook survey. Nearly 1,000 land
buyers, sellers, and brokers sent in their assessment of the current and future of land
markets. Land buyers and sellers were in agreement for every question presented and remained optimistic as a whole towards the
future of land markets. The questions included the assessment of land values, both near-term and long-term, land inventory on the
market, and expected sales. These results have been broken out by state for more regional insight into buyer and seller differences. A
full report will be available for download soon, this is just a partial result set. Thank you to all who participated!
Just more than half of land buyers and sellers predict an
increase in land values over the next six months, with the
southern states seeing the most confidence and overlap.
Buyers foresee an increase up through most of the Midwest,
while land sellers are focused on the Southeast, Montana,
Idaho, and Nevada. Several states (in pink) have been
excluded from price increases either due to low numbers of
respondents, or split results. It is important to note that some
states may show both a projected increase and decrease in
values because of different opinions from buyers and sellers.
The land values of hunting properties in Michigan
have been basically flat for past three years. Have seen
increase in farm ground, but would think that will be
dropping soon due to lower commodity price.
-LAND BROKER FROM MICHIGAN
It was clear that the north was where price decreases in the
next six months were most likely to take place, although land
buyers and sellers didn’t agree on which states would see
the decrease. Arizona was the lone standout in the southern
US with both buyers and sellers agreeing on a near-term land
value decrease, and Louisiana favored to see a decrease by
buyers. This was the clearest line of distinction in the series,
even with the separation between groups.
With lower grain and livestock prices, I look for set back
in land values. I think this trend will continue for a year
or so. Could be a good buying opportunity.
-LAND SELLER FROM KANSAS
108
Beans aren’t $18 anymore. Corn isn’t $8 anymore.
This causes people to sober up a little. The return isn’t
what it was.
– LAND SELLER FROM ARKANSAS