How much can my timber be worth?
Timber prices can vary greatly from tract to tract. Prices in the Southeast generally fall between $500 and $2000 per acre but can be lower on poor quality tracts or considerably higher (as much as $4000 or more per acre) on top quality tracts. Many factors affect the value of timber, making it essential that a professional evaluate the value and stand conditions in order to receive the highest price possible.
Can I lower my property taxes by managing my wooded property?
Yes, if you meet certain requirements, such as having a management plan prepared by a qualified forester and own a certain amount of acreage (20+ in NC, 5+ in SC). By designating your property as forestland, you can qualify for present-use tax valuation and save thousands of dollars per year in taxes, especially if you live adjacent to urban areas where land values have skyrocketed.
Is my tract too small to consider selling the timber?
It depends. Most of the crews we work with want at least twenty loads of forest products on a tract to make it cost effective and worthwhile to move equipment to a tract. For the average tract, this generally means at least ten or more wooded acres are needed to sell the timber without taking a reduced price. There are exceptions. For example, we recently encountered a tract of five wooded acres that contained over twenty loads of high quality sawtimber. The timber sold for $25,000. Call us and one of our representatives can assess the feasibility of selling your timber.
Who needs Timberland Advisors' services?
•Landowners who are selling timber or land
•Investors interested in purchasing timberland acreage
•Persons who have recently inherited or purchased timberland and need an appraisal for timber tax basis establishment
•Landowners who wish to implement a management plan to ensure that their goals and objectives for their property are accomplished
•Persons needing appraisals for estate planning
•Landowners looking to improve the health and value of their timberland
•Landowners interested in wildlife management and habitat enhancement
•Landowners wishing to improve lease revenues
•Attorneys and insurance companies needing an appraisal or expert witness in cases involving unlawful timber removal or damage
•Developers wishing to capture revenues from timber before construction begins
Do I need Timberland Advisors' assistance?
Anytime you use professional services (i.e. doctor, attorney, accountant, etc.), you do so to improve your situation and benefit from their expertise. The same reasoning applies when you hire Timberland Advisors. To determine if you need our services, ask yourself the following questions:
•Do I know how much my timber or land is worth?
•Do I want to clearcut, thin, or selectively harvest my timber?
•Is my timber financially mature and ready for final harvest or should I let it grow for a few more years?
•Are the markets up or down for the timber products on my property?
•Who can pay the most for my timber?
•What terms should I include in the timber sales contract to protect myself and ensure that I get the best price and a quality job?
If you can't answer all of the preceding questions with confidence you most likely are in need of our services. Studies have shown that landowners who receive professional assistance before harvesting timber averaged more income per acre and had higher projected income from future sales as a result of improved regeneration and stocking.
How does Timberland Advisors charge for their services?
Our fees for timber sales are based on a percentage of the final sale price of the land or timber. This rate varies from tract to tract depending on the type of harvest, size of tract, and the volume of timber on the tract. Basing our fee on a percentage of the final sales price works to your advantage. The more you get for your timber, the more commission we make. This way you can be confident that we will work our hardest to get you the best price. The fee we charge for selling timber is fully tax deductible as a timber sales expense. Fees for other services are based either on an hourly rate or a flat fee, depending on the type of service.
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