Build a Relationship of Trust!

Purchasing a hunting or farmland property is not like buying a house. It is a far more complex transaction, possibly similar to a business acquisition that you’ve made in the past. You will rely heavily upon your Hunting and Farmland Specialist's (Land Specialist) knowledge when buying a property. There are terms and concepts that will be foreign to you, but learning them is part of the fun. Throw into the mix the hunting and habitat component and the importance of finding a knowledgeable Land Specialist who shares your interests grows exponentially.

There are three characteristics to look for in a Land Specialist:

The first thing is simply finding someone you like. This will help ensure that it’s an enjoyable adventure. When you go online to do your preliminary research, pay as much attention to information on the Land Specialist as you do on the properties. Read their biographies and watch any videos that may be available. You will be sharing many hours in a truck with your Land Specialist, so you’ll either be thankful you hit it off or you’ll be dreading the next day of touring dirt.

The second important Land Specialist attribute is knowledge. If quality, big game hunting is a priority, your Land Specialist should be a knowledgeable hunter. Are they passionate, or just pretend, or never even been in a treestand? The best ground may be ‘off the radar’ but if you have a networked Land Specialist he will have the connections. Your Land Specialist also needs to understand dirt. Do they know water and mineral rights? Do they know what needs to be researched during due diligence? Can they recognize red flags? Do they understand the importance of a sustainable agricultural plan and the positive impact this can have on wildlife populations? Do they have experience solving the problems that will come up during the purchase process? Do they have a track record of negotiating good deals for their clients?

The third critical Land Specialist asset is trustworthiness. When you build a relationship of trust with a Land Specialist who is a passionate hunter and a knowledgeable farm professional, you will have an excellent likelihood of finding a property that will fit your interests and provide you, your family, and your friends years of enjoyable activities and memories. Trust is the key. Is your Land Specialist trying to sell you every piece of dirt he shows you or are they looking at every property through your eyes and only getting excited about a tract that fits your needs? Is he listening, paying attention to your reactions, and understanding the vital factors beyond hunting? If the rest of your family doesn’t want to be at the property, you won’t be spending much time there. Every land transaction has its issues. Does he tell you the good and the bad? Some you will be able to live with, some you may not.

After you do some research, call a Land Specialist that seems like a good candidate and discuss your intentions for securing a property. Once you’ve found and settled on a knowledgeable and trustworthy Land Specialist you like, stick with him. You’ll know you’ve found a good broker when he calls and tells you a property has come on the market and you need to get out as soon as possible to look at it. You will, because you trust his judgment!