Land for Sale in Maryland
Most people go to Maryland for its abundance of waterways and breathtaking coastlines, many of which border the state’s largest and most popular cities. Despite its impressive water area of 2,698 square miles and relatively small state area overall, there is always land for sale in this state; the trick is using the best resources to find it.
This article will discuss how you can find land for sale in Maryland using the best online sources and who you should purchase it from. We’ll also prepare you for purchasing land here by answering frequently asked questions regarding the average cost per acre of Maryland land, what to expect when searching for land postings, and even which areas are best if you prioritize a beautiful area or cheap acreage.
Finding Land for Sale in Maryland
So, you’ve decided you want to purchase land in the Free State, whether it’s commercial, residential, or farm/agricultural land. Regardless of your intentions for the property, we guarantee you’ll find optimal land here, thanks to the thousands of acres of Maryland land that is put up for sale year-round.
Of course, deciding to purchase Maryland land is the easy part; now, you have to go and find it. This can be a significant challenge, particularly if it’s your first time trying to find legitimate property postings to purchase. Thankfully, we have a list of the most renowned online sources you can use for this exact purpose.
When searching for land for sale in the state of Maryland, we recommend using the following online resources:
These reputable sources will connect interested buyers with Maryland land sellers state-wide. Each of these websites is designed differently, but buyers can expect to find the same information on each regarding the land postings:
- Location (region, county, city)
- Availability
- Size (measured by the acre)
- Property type (residential, commercial, farm, hunting, etc.)
- Cost (per acre or overall)
- Sale type (by the owner, auction, third party)
- Presence of structures (residential home, barn, etc.)
- Size and features of property structures
- Additional property features (ex. fences, nearby waterways, wells)
In addition to these descriptors, most sellers describe the land that might describe the state of its structures, the typical climate in that region, what crops are successfully grown on this land, and any other information they deem relevant.
It is important to note that some sellers will be more specific and in-depth with their postings than others. Some might give you every detail they can think of about the land in order to entice you to purchase it, while others will stick to listing the essentials such as cost, size, and relative location.
Farm Land for Sale in Maryland
Maryland might not be as large as other states in terms of total area, but it still packs a decent punch in agricultural production for the nation.
Here, over 31% of the state’s total land area is considered farmland, with an estimated total of 12,429 farms and an average size of 160 acres. With those statistics, it’s no surprise that agriculture is the number 1 commercial industry in Maryland, as demonstrated by the 350,000+ jobs it has produced for the state.
Amongst these vast acres of farmland, you’ll find a diverse production of crops and livestock in abundance. Livestock and poultry alone account for 61% of Maryland’s total agricultural sales, making farmland dedicated to these animals a hot commodity in the state.
In addition to animals, you’ll find various plants are successfully grown in Maryland soil, including:
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Hay
- Wheat
- Barely
- Tobacco
- Tomatoes
The other agricultural staple of this state that sets it apart from others is its significant production of greenhouse and nursery products such as flowers, ornamental shrubs, and even young fruit trees. Therefore, if you intend to purchase land in this state, it might be worth your while to search for properties that would allow you to enter this line of business.
If you’re looking for property in Maryland, you can dedicate it to agricultural or livestock pursuits. Then you can utilize any of the resources listed above. Each will provide you with countless listings to choose from all over the state. We highly recommend Land Watch, Land and Farm, and Lands of America for anyone buying farmland for the first time or wants a website with hundreds to thousands of options.
Land for Sale by Owner in Maryland
One of the most common filters or categories you’ll find on land postings is a descriptor of who is selling the property. This is very important as it can dictate a great deal about your purchasing experience, most notably how much you will spend, who you’re communicating with, and how quickly you can close on your property.
Typically, property for sale is posted by:
- Loan Officers (Bank, Mortgage Company)
- The state or government (ex. The Bureau of Land Management)
- Real estate agencies
- The current owner
If you’re purchasing land in Maryland for the first time and have little background knowledge about the process, you’ll probably want to consult with a professional or go through a real estate agency or loan office so they can take you step-by-step through the process.
However, if you already have some background knowledge on how this works, purchasing the land directly from the owner is the way to go.
Also known as “for sale by owner” (FSBO), this entails that the individual who currently owns the land is selling it themselves without the influence of a third party. There are a number of benefits of purchasing land that is FSBO, such as reduced costs and speed of purchase.
This method of purchasing property is undoubtedly the quickest and cheapest way since it allows buyers to avoid paying commissions or additional fees common with realtors or other businesses/organizations. It is also a much more personal experience for the buyer since they communicate directly with the person who owns the land and wants to sell it versus a company with ulterior motives to profit.
Of course, the risk of purchasing land directly from the owner is less legal protection for the transaction. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure all paperwork is in order, both parties have legal representation (ex. lawyers), and the land has been inspected before moving forward with a purchase.
If you want a source exclusively dedicated to purchasing land from the owner directly, we recommend using For Sale By Owner. While most postings here are residential homes, there are some with vast acreage you can find. Otherwise, you can use any of the resources listed previously and use the FSBO filter.
Where is the Cheapest Land in Maryland?
Buying land is almost never cheap, especially if you need hundreds of acres for your agriculture or livestock. However, there are definitely counties within the state of Maryland where you can find and purchase land for significantly less than the rest of the state and even the country.
The cheapest and most affordable counties in Maryland to live and purchase land include:
- Arbutus County
- Somerset County
- Bel Air County
- Brunswick County
- Easton County
- Glenarden County
- White Marsh County
Each of these counties contains land that is listed well below the average cost per acre of the state as a whole. Of course, you’ll want to make sure the state of the land, particularly its soil, will suit your needs before purchasing it for a cheap price.
If you’re interested in comparing the acre value of land in all Maryland counties, we recommend using AcreValue in your search. This source specializes in farmland and will provide full reports of a region’s soils, climate, crop rotations, taxes, interest rates, and more. Even better, it does this for nearly every county nationwide if you want to compare your Maryland land to other regions.
How Much Does an Acre of Land Cost in Maryland?
Unfortunately, if you’re looking for really cheap land, you aren’t going to find it in Maryland. Instead, you’re better off heading over to Montana, where it’s currently estimated at $808 per acre.
In Maryland, the average cost of farmland per acre is currently listed at $6,584, placing it in fifth place for states with the highest cost per acre of farmland. Preceding Maryland on this list is Delaware with $7,580 per acre, Arizona with $8,026 per acre, and California with $9,340. The slot of first place goes to New Jersey with $12,930 per acre.
Thankfully, where Maryland shines in terms of land cost is in farmland rental rates. While most people prefer to own the rights to their own land, it is not uncommon for farmers to rent acreage instead for a significantly reduced rate.
In Maryland, you can rent land for an average cost of $79 per acre, which is cheaper than the national average of $129 (a price that has increased significantly from the $69 it was in 2001). It is also much cheaper than California, which ranks number one as the state with the most expensive rate for farmland rental at $317 per acre.
So, if you find that land in Maryland is too expensive, even despite looking in the cheapest counties, it might be worth your while to see if there is land available for rent that you can utilize until you have enough to purchase property of your own.
What is the Prettiest City in Maryland?
Farmland isn’t everything, and when it comes to the state of Maryland, it would be an absolute crime not to even consider purchasing land in its most stunning locations. While there are a fair share of charming towns in Maryland, if you’re looking for a beautiful city, there’s really only one place that trumps them all.
Ellicott City is avidly renowned as the prettiest city in Maryland and one of the best places to live and visit within the entire state. Founded in 1772, this city is the perfect blend of modernity and history, most notably seen in the city’s architecture.
One reason why Ellicott City is so gorgeous is because residents have gone to great lengths to preserve the region’s history rather than replace it with modern trends. Here, you can visit America’s oldest railway station to date and walk amongst hundreds of 18th and 19th-century buildings on Main Street.
Of course, amongst these momentous landmarks are a series of boutiques, restaurants, museums, and clubs where you can relax, be entertained and enjoy the city’s distinct culture.
Final Thoughts
Finding land for sale in Maryland doesn’t have to seem like an impossible task. With the resources mentioned here, you can find acres upon acres of land for sale, and you can use filters to ensure it fits your exact specifications. While the land in this state isn’t necessarily cheap by any means, there are ways you can acquire it for reduced rates by searching for postings in the cheapest counties or opting to rent land first.
Remember that there are countless benefits to skipping the middle man and purchasing land directly from the seller, and keep your eyes peeled for postings in Ellicott City. Not all of the best Maryland land is found in the rural plains. Some of the most beautiful postings will be in the prettiest city of the state.