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Need to sell timberland with no road access

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PegoMan

New member
I'm in the state of Washington. I have a general question that I would sincerely appreciate some advice/suggestions. First of all I apologize for the long-winded question.

I live in WA state and own a forty acre parcel of land in the state of Louisiana with a stand of pine timber that can be harvested with an appraisal of $32,000 to $35,000. This is based on current timber prices. The main obstacle I have is that the parcel is landlocked with no access to a road though any harvesting can be done with temporary access. I need to sell for reasons of age, health etc. I listed it last summer with a realtor at a moderate price, but received no interest due to the road access problem. I am considering contacting the property owner who owns the adjoining property with an offer. It would be very easy and inexpensive for him to create access to a major paved road having the properties combined. This would enhance the value considerably.

In order to “sweeten the pot” I am considering offering the property to him at $70,000 cash or $80,000 and I carry the mortgage at a below market interest. I haven’t researched normal term lengths for bare land financing or standard down payments. I am willing to make those very attractive also. I really need to receive some sort of return on this land.

He could sell the timber now and list the bare land or he could list it now with the timber. Either way the value would increases considerably with road access to $100,000 to $125,000 minimum.

I do not know my tax liabilities, but we are on social security with yearly income of approximately $36,000. If I have a large tax liability then I will go with selling the timber and leave well enough alone. Any ideas and/or suggestions very appreciated.
 
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FlyingRon

Senior Member
As for taxes, you'll have to explain how you came to own this land. Unless you owe money on this land, you shouldn't have any "tax liabilities" that aren't going to be covered by the sales proceeds. It's just a matter of how MUCH tax you have to pay from the proceeds. Selling the land will not affect your social security (assuming we're talking about retirement payments).

My suggestion would be to talk to a real estate lawyer in Louisiana. He can make the offer to the adjacent property owner and you'll want him handling the sale contracts, etc... anyhow.
 

PegoMan

New member
Thanks for your reply. I obtained half of the property from an inheritance and purchased the other half from my sister who inherited her half. I have contact info for an attorney in the area that I trust and will contact him for his ideas. Thanks for the info and suggestions.
 

FlyingRon

Senior Member
Your basis is therefore two parts. Half of it is the value of that half on the date the person who willed it to you died. The basis on the other half is how much you paid your sister for her half (presuming that it was something reasonable). You owe capital gains tax on the difference between that and what you sell it for. Federally, this will be a long term gain which you're on the cusp between a 0% and 15% tax rate. Currently Washington State doesn't tax such gains at all (thought there's been legislation proposed to reestablish it).
 

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