You love your kids. You’ve spent years raising them, teaching them life lessons, and making sure they don’t eat glue (or at least not too much of it). Now, as you consider selling your raw land, you might be thinking, “If I can’t get the price I want, I’ll just let my kids inherit it.”
Sounds like a solid plan, right? Well… maybe not. Before you go gifting your land to your unsuspecting offspring, here are 10 reasons why they might not be as thrilled as you think:
1. They Might Not Want It
I know—it’s shocking, but hear me out. Your kids might already have their hands full with mortgages, jobs, and keeping up with whatever social media trend is taking over this week. The idea of managing a piece of vacant land (which they’ve never even visited) might not be their idea of a great inheritance.
2. Surprise! Here’s a Property Tax Bill
While land ownership sounds great, property taxes don’t just disappear when you pass away. If your kids aren’t prepared for that annual tax bill, your thoughtful gift could feel more like a financial burden than a blessing.
3. They Have No Idea What to Do With It
Let’s be honest—how many times have your kids asked you for help with something simple, like changing a car tire or cooking something other than ramen? Now imagine them suddenly inheriting raw land. “So… what do I do with it?” is probably going to be their first question.
4. Selling It Later Might Be a Headache
Selling land is way easier when the owner is involved. You know the history, the boundaries, and why it’s valuable. When it gets passed down, your kids might struggle to sell it—especially if they have no clue about the market, the property details, or where they even put the deed.
5. Sibling Disputes Waiting to Happen
If you have more than one child, congratulations—you’ve just set up a potential family feud. One kid wants to sell, one wants to keep it, and suddenly Thanksgiving dinner is filled with passive-aggressive comments about “who actually deserves Mom and Dad’s land.”
6. Maintenance? What Maintenance?
Raw land isn’t exactly turnkey. Even if it’s just sitting there, someone has to make sure there aren’t illegal dump sites, squatters, or trees taking over access points. Guess who’s responsible for that? Yep, your kids.
7. Land Use Rules Could Change
What’s legal today may not be legal tomorrow. Your county might change zoning laws, increase restrictions, or require costly environmental studies. Your kids might inherit a piece of land that suddenly can’t be used for what you originally intended.
8. They’ll Have to Deal with the Paperwork
If your kids already complain about doing their taxes, they are really going to love navigating probate, deeds, title transfers, and all the other legal fun that comes with inheriting land. A headache for them, and an even bigger headache if they make mistakes.
9. “I Thought You Were Taking Care of It”
Inheriting land often turns into a game of hot potato. If multiple kids are involved, no one wants to be the one dealing with it. Cue years of ignored tax bills and arguments over who’s responsible.
10. You Could Just Sell It Now and Enjoy the Money
Instead of leaving your kids with a mystery parcel of responsibility, why not sell the land now and enjoy the benefits? You could use the money for travel, home upgrades, or an epic family vacation—giving your kids memories instead of unexpected land troubles.
Final Thoughts
Of course, if your kids are genuinely interested in the land, that’s great! But if you’re assuming they want it (without actually asking them), it might be worth reconsidering. Selling now lets you control the outcome and avoid putting an unexpected burden on your loved ones.
If you’re open to exploring an offer, we’d love to chat—no pressure, no obligations, just a conversation about how you can turn that land into cash instead of a future headache.
Reach out today and let’s see if we can find a win-win solution!
