Land for Sale in Minnesota

If you’re looking for land, whether for a residence, business, or farm, Minnesota is an optimal choice. Here, you’ll find diverse terrain ranging from rolling hills, deep forests, or even waterfalls and lakes, along with some of the most fertile soil in the country. As one of America’s top agricultural states and a population of 5.6 million, finding land for sale isn’t always easy, but it’s well worth the effort.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about acquiring land for sale in Minnesota. It will provide resources for finding “land for sale” postings in this state, what to expect from these postings and other relevant information about purchasing land in Minnesota that suits your needs and exceeds your expectations.

Finding Land for Sale in Minnesota

Minnesota is one of the largest states in landmass, but its relatively small population means a significant amount of land is available for the taking. Individuals interested in vast acreage who don’t mind setting up in a relatively isolated area will have the easiest time finding land in Minnesota.

However, if your goal is to obtain land from a previous owner, you might find yourself struggling to find postings, especially if you want something close to an urban area like Minneapolis or St Paul.

Luckily, there are many online resources where individuals can find Minnesota “land for sale” postings with relative ease, whether meant as farmland or for residential or commercial purposes. The top online resources we recommend for finding land for sale in Minnesota include:

Each of these reputable sources will connect interested buyers with Minnesota land sellers statewide. Although they differ slightly in their design, 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)

The level of in-depth information provided on each site is largely up to the individual who posted it. Some will only provide essential information such as cost, size, and location, while others will detail everything listed above and more.

It is not uncommon for sellers to also post a brief description of the land, describing 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.

Farmland for Sale in Minnesota

When it comes to farmland and agricultural production, Minnesota is one of the leading states in the nation. As of 2020, the state of Minnesota ranked 6^th in agriculture-producing States in terms of cash receipts, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This is partially thanks to the fact that 51 percent of the state’s land area is comprised of agricultural land, amassing a total of 26 million acres. As a result, Minnesota ranks 15^th in the list of States with the Most Land in Farms.

The most successful crops farmed here in abundance include:

Soybeans
Hay
Sugar beets
Wheat
Barley
Flaxseeds
Oats
Peas
Potatoes
Sweet corn

Of these crops, soybeans are the state’s top export with a value of $1.8 billion, which makes it an incredibly tempting crop for individuals interested in purchasing Minnesota farmland of their own.

When searching for farmland for sale in Minnesota, we recommend searching for postings on:

Land Watch
Land and Farm
Lands of America
Land Bin
Land Flip
Minnesota Department of Agriculture

These online sources, in particular, focus more on postings of large acreage meant for farmland or other agricultural or livestock-related purposes. If you didn’t find what you’re looking for here, our next suggestion would be Whitetail Properties.

Although this website specializes more in selling land used for hunting, a vast number of postings would be sufficient for farmland as well. You might even find several Whitetail Properties postings on the other sites we recommended above.

Land for Sale by Owner in Minnesota

When it comes to purchasing land in any state, the property listing details itself shouldn’t be the only defining factor of whether you purchase the land or not. Knowing what party is selling this property can play a significant role in this decision as well.

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

While it can be beneficial to purchase land for sale in Minnesota from a reputable real estate agency or The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), many prefer to purchase land from the owner.

Also known as “for sale by owner” (FSBO), this method of posting available land is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to sell privately. Buyers prefer purchasing land through this party because it allows them to avoid paying those pesky commissions that realtors will charge or any additional fees that usually come with sales through the government or other businesses/organizations.

Of course, the risk of purchasing land directly from the owner is you have 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.

Another wise step you can take is to purchase land FSBO through the sources we listed previously or on For Sale By Owner. Most sites will have a category or filter where you can choose who you want to purchase the land from (ex. the owner, on auction, through a realtor, etc.). Purchasing land posted on these sites provides a bit more credibility and will help ensure you don’t get cheated out of a private deal through an independent land sale.

Where is the Cheapest Land in Minnesota?

As a state, Minnesota isn’t the cheapest or most expensive place to live. However, the fact that it is one of the top agricultural producers in the nation means its land has a great deal of value, especially for farmers.

According to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Minnesota’s average farm real estate value in 2019 was $4,840 per acre. With that average in mind, the cheapest places to purchase land in Minnesota include:

Aitkin County
Beltrami County
Cass County
Clearwater County
Hubbard County
Itasca County
Lake of the Woods County
Norman County
Roseau County

Each of these counties contains land with an average acre value under $3,500, making them most likely to contain the cheapest land in the state. Most of them lie in the central northern region of the state, while the counties with the highest acre values, such as Washington, Scott, Hennepin, lie in the mid-south eastern region of the state.

If you’re interested in comparing the acre value of land in all Minnesota 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 Minnesota land to other regions.

How Much Does an Acre of Land Cost in Minnesota?

Putting a specific price tag on land in any region can be difficult due to the variety of factors that could affect its overall value. Land in one region could be optimal for farming, whereas land five miles away could be exceptionally poor. This will change how much some prices the land’s listing at, in addition to what you want the land for (ex., building a residence versus agricultural use).

There are no sources that state how much Minnesota land costs per acre statewide. The closest estimate you have of cost or value is the USDA’s average farm real estate value of $4,840 per acre.

As stated previously, there are counties in Minnesota where this value per acre is much lower, ranging closer to $2,700-$3,500 per acre, and there are somewhere the value is significantly higher, such as Hennepin with a value per acre of $10,383.

While that number might seem high, it is the only county with a five-figure value stamp. The rest are reasonably valued, and the vast majority or a lower than other states in the nation.

What is the Prettiest City in Minnesota?

Buying land in Minnesota doesn’t have to revolve around the best posting for agriculture or livestock. This state also has some breathtaking cities that owners might be interested in living in or nearby.

Of all the established cities in Minnesota, Ely is consistently ranked as the most charming and beautiful urban location in the state.

Although Ely won’t give you the classic city experience you’d get from Minneapolis or Saint Paul, this is arguable what people like most about the area. Those seeking adventure in nature and who enjoy experiencing a more rugged side of history have exceptional experiences in Ely.

The town was originally founded by fur traders thanks to the natural splendor that surrounds it. As a gateway community into the extensive Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, many visitors and residents will spend hours exploring nearby waterways, hiking trails, or even touring the nearby underground mines.

Winters here are especially gorgeous when the waterways freeze and feet of snow descend on the city, giving ice skaters, snowboarders, and cross-country skiers the wonderland of the dreams.

When all of the natural explorations are over, there are a series of mouth-watering eateries, insightful museums, and thrifty shopping centers to experience. We highly recommend stopping by the International Wolf Center, the Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum, or The Wilderness at Fortune Bay golf course when you visit.

Final Thoughts

One of the biggest challenges of purchasing land for sale in any state is knowing where to find it and what to expect from your buying experience. Hopefully, this article has helped answer both questions in addition to some questions you hadn’t considered, such as the average value of the land you’re likely to find and how FSBO postings can benefit you.

Next time you intend to purchase land in the North Star state, remember to use the online sources provided here like Land Watch and Lands of America to expedite the process and find the best land for the best value. If you’re searching for residential land, make sure you check out Property Shark, Realtor.com, or Zillow.com to purchase homes that have already been built and are available.

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