Craigslist can be a great platform for reaching land buyers—especially if you’re selling for-sale-by-owner. With the right approach, it’s free, fast, and surprisingly effective.
Let’s break down the pros, cons, and exact steps to make your land listing on Craigslist successful.
High-traffic platform with local buyer reach
Includes a real estate – by owner section
No listing fees—totally free to post
Often used by investors, developers, and recreational land buyers
High visibility in local markets
Free to post as many listings as needed
Simple and fast to publish and update
Many non-serious inquiries or spam messages
Buyers expect discounts and often lowball offers
Needs regular reposting to stay visible
Include at least 6–10 clear images: overhead, boundaries, road access, nearby landmarks, and any unique features (like ponds, trees, or views).
Research comparable land in your area. Avoid overpricing, especially if you want faster traction.
To protect your privacy, use a Google Voice number or a dedicated line for buyer inquiries.
Go to craigslist.org and sign up for a free account. This lets you edit, renew, and manage your listings easily.
Select:
“for sale by owner”
Then “real estate – by owner”
Example Title: "2.5 Acres in Lehigh Acres – Zoned Residential – No HOA"
Description tips:
Include parcel number, lot size, zoning, access, and utility info
Mention use cases like “mobile home OK” or “great for RV or off-grid”
Add clear directions and nearby landmarks
Include:
Acreage
Zoning
Parcel ID
Utilities
Access info
HOA or tax details (if relevant)
Avoid blurry, dark, or irrelevant images. Aerial photos with boundary outlines work best.
Use email and phone contact (Google Voice recommended). Add the map location—even if approximate.
Double-check your ad before posting. Listings usually go live immediately.
Repost every 2–5 days depending on your local Craigslist rules
Post during evening or weekend hours for more visibility
Use calendar reminders or tools like Trello/Google Tasks to track reposts
A blind ad is a teaser listing that highlights a specific feature or use case, without giving away the full property upfront.
“Hunting Land – 10 Acres – No HOA – Off-Grid OK”
“RV Lot Near Ocala – Utilities Available – Private Road”
These attract niche buyers actively searching for those exact terms.
Craigslist is a powerful tool—but only if used intentionally.
Keep your listing updated, rotate titles, refresh descriptions, and monitor responses to find real buyers faster. And if Craigslist becomes too time-consuming, UNITY offers a direct buyer alternative with no listings required.
Q: Is it free to post land for sale on Craigslist?
A: Yes, Craigslist allows free posting under the “real estate - by owner” category.
Q: How often should I repost my land listing?
A: Ideally every 2–5 days to maintain visibility in search results.
Q: What’s the best photo to use as a featured image?
A: An aerial view showing the property boundaries and access point.
Q: Can I list multiple properties on Craigslist?
A: Yes, but avoid duplicate ads. Use varied titles or blind ads.
Q: Should I include GPS coordinates in my ad?
A: Absolutely—especially for land without a street address.