Aw, c'mon, really?
No. Well, sort of, yes.
Actually, staging principles can apply to presenting vacant land for sale. They would serve the seller well. In fact, anyone selling a sizable lot should take these points to heart.
1. The buyer needs to see what you're selling. 
i.e POST the perimeter, or at the very least ribbon the thing.
I have trailed all over 22 acre lots, 9 acres, 3, 8 today and I'm exhausted. But I couldn't see what I was being shown. Without at least that pink nylon ribbon surveyors use, one tree looked very much like another; there was no way to assess the potential.
2. De-Clutter: Why do farmers leave broken machinery, abandoned carivans, old tires just lying around?
C'mon, it makes the place look awful, literally a dump. City Slickers are moving to the rolling hills in droves with their laptops and internet connections. They don't find rusted out stuff charming - it looks like a hazard at best and a law suit more likely.
3. Focal Points: The Hunter's Stake Out, up a tree, camouflaged with a bit of old shower curtain?
Bad.
4. Architectural Character: Falling down barns and moss covered silos?
Great... but rope off all entries. Termites make those floors mighty unsafe.
5. Light, location, space: If you're selling the views, make sure a buyer can see them. Plough out a track so they can get to the top of the knoll and see what's what - especially the horizon.
Here ends the lesson. Now, please open your hymnals to 453 and join me as 'We Plough the Fields and Scatter' ...
Forgive my forthright comments, but seriously, folks: the market's marshmallowing at least until Spring. You wanna sell something? Make the effort to present it so at least buyers can see it!
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I had never thought about staging land. It makes sense.
Juliet, I have some vacant land in Colorado. The only thing there are tumbleweeds. How would you go about staging that?
Maybe renting a horse or two to place in a field may help also or have someone hide behind a tree and release pheasants when buyers come by! This might just work
The title of your post got my attention. Great tips for sellers and agents.
Well, Craig, I did wonder about the "flock" of wild turkeys as I rolled up one hillside this morning!
Now Terry, as long as you can see the perimeter and there's nothing odd, falling apart or decrepid on the site, there's not much more one can do.
I'm not suggesting anyone STAGE a piece of vacant property - I'm simply saying apply the principles. Keep it clear, make sure you can see the edges and what's in between.
I have listed and sold all types of vacant land. My favorite developer drives a 6' long piece of 3/8" rebar into the ground next to the survey pin. He then slides a 10' piece of 1/2" white pvc pipe over that. You can see each corner from a mile away.
Biggest thing to remember is if you can't find it you can't sell it.
If your sellers get an A-2 prior to listing-great, but around here we go by the +/- acres (if its a large piece) and use the deed as a guide for the boundaries. Sometimes that 'big oak tree' or farmer Joe's barn is long gone so it can get tricky! lol
Dilapidated barns and old vehicles sitting and rusting are part of the landscape around here. :)
How about burying some money and giving the buyer a map to find the treasure.
KC - that's a great way of putting it, and what a good idea to seriously mark the corners. there's someone that's likely very successful.
Now, Jennifer, the whole plot is a treasure! Ya know, I think it's worth paying for the land to be staked out. Better than accepting $14K per acres for something you're asking $20K. Kind of a wide margin, no?
I say.. plant some corn, add a cute scarecrow... and a For Sale sign. As long as the property is cleaned up and the lines are defined.....sounds like it is prepared for sale to me :)
I have 4 pieces of land in "The Hill Country" of Texas I'm going to sale. Hadn't thought of staging them!
Covenants probably wouldn't allow it, but a wreath for Christmas would look nice, and eye catching too!
Juliet - You are a genius! Jason Crouch might ought to consider flying you down to Austin to help stage some of that land in the Hill Country!
Jackie
Hi Juliet,
Here in my neighborhood dominated part of CT (house every 1/2 to 3/4 acre) I think of how to get Realtors/builders to stage their vacant land as well. Every morning as I drive to the school, there are signs for acre plots just plopped an inch from the curb. There is no place for potentials to pull off the road...they sit on the road with their hazards on!
I always thought that they should carve out a parking spot, clear a walkway into the land, and anchor both sides of it with potted somethings that will do well. You know...make the buyers want and BE ABLE to pull up at anytime without getting smacked from behind by the schoolbus! Such are vacant lands in my neighborhood!
Maggie
LOL When are we going to spread the love of staging to north pole?!
Cheers,
Cindy
Is it for sale?
Now THERE's an opportunity!
OMG..
The first picture is great... I'm still laughing.. great message
Met Dilsiz
www.fnd.net
Juliet -- I have been involved in one land sale so my experience is limited. But after reading your post here and then reflecting back to that one experience, it's very clear to me that you have displayed wisdom and good advice.
The buyer, after looking at vast amount of acreage to build, did settle on a piece that had the best visibility, he could easily walk from corner to corner, and the land held no undesirable "junk" needing to be removed!
Thx for posting this to the newbies -- gold star at "Real World of home staging for newbies"
Juliet - Great post! There is always alot of acreage in our area for sale. Gives us something to consider.
Thanks!
"Forgive my forthright comments, but seriously, folks: the market's marshmallowing at least until Spring. You wanna sell something? Make the effort to present it so at least buyers can see it!"
I say we build a fire and roast those marshmallows - good post!