Market insights from the field.

The first quarter of 2026 closed with entitled land in the Sun Belt trading at premiums not seen since 2021, while raw acreage in secondary markets softened. As we move into Q2, three dynamics are reshaping where capital is flowing: rate stabilization, builder land pipeline depletion, and a meaningful uptick in motivated seller activity. Here is what we are watching.

Land valuation is not the same as residential appraisal. Most sellers and many brokers misunderstand how comparables are selected, adjusted, and weighted. This piece explains the methodology we use, why the nearest sale is not always the most relevant, and what questions to ask any buyer who presents you with an offer.

Despite persistent mortgage rate pressure on end-buyer demand, national and regional builders continue to compete aggressively for entitled land in high-growth corridors. We examine the supply-demand dynamics driving this divergence and what it means for sellers who are evaluating timing.

Many landowners wait for full entitlement before selling, assuming it maximizes value. Available market data suggests the opposite is often true and explains why sophisticated sellers increasingly prefer pre-entitlement exits.

Estate sales represent a disproportionate share of distressed land transactions not because of pricing, but because of title complexity. We outline the most common issues and how to resolve them before they delay closing.

In Atlanta, Charlotte, and Orlando, builders are increasingly willing to pay premiums for infill lots that would have been overlooked five years ago. We explore the demographic and regulatory forces behind this shift.