By Chase Dodson, Farm Manager and Real Estate Salesperson
We’re in the peak of the growing season, and that makes this one of the best opportunities for landowners to start thinking ahead. For some, that means preparing for a fall sale. For others, it’s the right time to open up the conversation on 2027 lease arrangements and management options.
Big decisions deserve the right timing.
Why Now Is the Right Time
Crops are up, and pastures are green. The land simply looks better right now than it will in October. For landowners considering a fall sale, this is the window to get marketing photos taken and to document the property’s condition, improvements, and overall quality while it’s on full display. Wait until after harvest, and that opportunity is gone for the year.
Getting ahead of the process matters. Lining up physical inspections, gathering property details, and starting the conversation about goals now translates directly into more control over pricing, stronger marketing exposure, and better positioning once buyer interest peaks later this fall
It’s Also Time to Think About 2027
For landowners who aren’t ready to sell, this is a good time to start thinking about lease arrangements heading into next year: renewing an existing lease, adjusting terms, or looking into management options for the first time. Tight margins on the crop production side and high incomes on the cattle side lead to lease adjustments to be fair to both sides. In the event of verbal farm leases, if notification is not given prior to September 1, tenants can claim holdover rights, and you could be unable to negotiate new terms or change tenants. This could adversely affect your ability to sell or receive fair market rent. Early conversations mean more thoughtful planning, and they give both landowners and tenants time to work through details before the pressure of a new season sets in.
I’ve spent over a decade in farm and ranch sales and land management, and the biggest factor in a good outcome is almost always how early the planning starts. That’s true whether we’re talking about a full sale, a partial transition, or structuring a lease for the year ahead.
A Relationship-First Approach
Every landowner’s situation is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. A few are ready to list this fall. Others just want to know what a lease or management arrangement could look like before they commit to anything. Both are good reasons to talk now rather than in December
If you’re thinking about your land goals heading into 2027, let’s start the conversation.
