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Downsizing Your Land: Advice from Eddie Stone

Land means something different to everyone. For some, it’s a business. For others, it’s a place that holds a lifetime of memories. But for most folks I work with, it’s both. It’s also a lot to manage—mowing/bush hogging, road maintenance, repairs and upkeep of homes and cabins… the list goes on. And when life changes, or priorities shift, it’s worth asking: is holding onto that land still the right decision?

I’m Eddie Stone. I’ve been in the land and timber business for over 35 years. I’ve walked more tracts and sat at more kitchen tables with landowners than I can count. I’m not here to tell you what to do—I’m here to help you figure it out. And if selling is your decision, I’ll make sure you’re getting the most out of it.

Why Landowners Consider Selling: My Experiences

Many times, the heirs to a property have moved and keeping it just isn’t practical. They need a local advocate to manage the process. I recently sold a property for two brothers that had a lifetime of memories on the land, everything from hunting, fishing and camping out. Both had moved out of state and coming home to work on the property was getting harder and harder. They listed the property with me. For them, I negotiated an easement to the back land-locked 40 acres, hired a trapper to remove beavers, arranged for a contractor to haul rock on an eroded road and dam, and coordinated the bush hogging of the open areas. This ensured the property was shown in its best condition, reflecting the state the brothers remembered for much of their lives. A nice couple made the purchase and will be building their forever home.

I’ve also sold land for people who bought it as an investment. For example, I sold a tract on the Mulberry Fork for a couple who owned it for about 10 years. They bought it strictly as an investment, and when it came time to sell, they made a very nice profit. The buyers loved the river property, built a cabin, and now use it as a recreational tract with their grandchildren.

I had a client who owned several hundred acres. They and their children moved out of state, and the land, mostly in pine timber, was being managed by a local consulting forester. This meant the upkeep for the owners was minimal, aside from paying taxes. However, as their children became adults, they had no interest in the property. Though it was a difficult decision, my clients decided to sell. The property was sold in parcels and most of the buyers were purchasing for hunting. The couple that bought the largest parcel were moving to Alabama to build their forever home.

I sold a beautiful tract on the side of a mountain with incredible views. The owner had a pristine cabin and used the property as a music venue. Unfortunately, he became physically unable to keep up the property. Instead of allowing the property to deteriorate around him, he made the decision to sell. I was the fourth Realtor and found a couple who lived in an upscale neighborhood and had decided they wanted to downsize. They fell in love with the property, made the purchase, and moved into the one-bedroom cabin. He was self-employed and converted the outbuilding into an office. Their daughter is building a cabin on the property. And the last I heard, they were still inviting the previous owner to come out and enjoy the property.

My Services:

For various reasons, many people decide to sell their land. Maybe they can’t keep it up, have moved, or just want to use the money for other things. They’re often unsure where to begin, what to do, and worry about not getting a fair price. That’s where I come in. I help landowners understand their property’s value—whether it’s for timber, farming, development, or recreation—and connect it with real buyers ready to purchase.

Whatever your reason for selling, I can offer a process that enables you to sell with confidence. I use advanced mapping, drone footage, my long-term experience, and on-the-ground visits to show off your property’s value. I also use a full range of marketing tools, including: company websites, national paid websites, social media, YouTube, and an email newsletter specifically for land buyers.

If you’re ready to discuss what your land might be worth—or just want to know your options, you can call me directly at 205-837-4466.

Or click HERE to view Eddie’s video on how to sell your land for top dollar.

 

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Eddie Stone

Eddie Stone is an accomplished agent for Great Southern Land specializing in buying and selling land. An Alabama resident, Eddie has used his extensive knowledge to work and sell land in 15 counties surrounding the Birmingham Metro area. Eddie obtained a Master's Degree in Forest Business from Mississippi State University. For the next 20 years, he worked as a Registered Forester in the large corporate sector in both the procurement and land management arenas where he became an expert in land management, maximizing the biological growth of timber, determining the value of a timber tract, and maximizing its value for the landowner. In 1999, Eddie founded Forever Green, Inc.; a consultant forestry business that quickly became a leader in the local timber business. He went on to obtain a real estate license and join Great Southern Land as an Alabama land agent to further serve his clients' needs and provide full-scale, exceptional service. Eddie is also a Contractual Conservation Planner for the Georgia Alabama Land Trust. He prepares Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation Reports which includes technical writing, field inspections, GPS documentation, and GIS map preparation. Eddie's forestry expertise, coupled with being a REALTOR, has made him uniquely qualified to help clients navigate all aspects of buying and selling land.