Resources
Insights for Texas Landowners.
Craig writes and publishes practical guidance on land auctions, valuation, and the selling process — straight talk from someone who's done it thousands of times.
Latest Articles
From the Blog.
Why Auction Works for Rural Texas Land
Traditional listing strategies were built for suburban homes — not for the complex, unique asset that is Texas farmland or ranch property. Here's why the auction method consistently delivers stronger outcomes for rural land sellers.
How to Determine the Value of Your Land Before Selling
Land valuation is complex — and getting it wrong in either direction costs sellers real money. Here's how experienced land professionals assess Texas acreage, and what factors matter most when you're preparing to sell.
Auction vs. Broker: What Texas Landowners Need to Know
Both paths can sell land. But they work differently, serve different seller goals, and deliver very different outcomes. Here's an honest, practical comparison for Texas landowners weighing their options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight Answers to Common Questions.
Why should I choose auction over listing with a broker?
Competitive bidding drives prices up rather than down — buyers compete against each other, not against you. Auction also gives you a defined timeline, certainty of close, and eliminates post-contract renegotiations that erode value in traditional listings. For rural Texas land with appeal to multiple buyer types, auction typically delivers superior outcomes.
How is land valued before the auction?
Craig conducts a thorough property assessment before any auction: reviewing comparable sales, evaluating property-specific characteristics (water, soil, access, mineral rights, improvements), and assessing current market demand. The goal is to set a reserve price that protects your interests while keeping the auction genuinely competitive.
What does the auction process cost the seller?
Auction fee structures vary by property type and circumstances. Craig explains every cost clearly and transparently in your initial consultation — before you commit to anything. Often, auctions use a buyer's premium structure (a percentage paid by the buyer) which can substantially offset seller-side costs. The key question isn't just cost — it's net proceeds to you.
How long does the auction process take from start to close?
A typical Craig Meier auction runs 8–12 weeks from first consultation to closing. The marketing campaign runs 4–6 weeks before auction day. Closing typically follows within 30–45 days of the auction. Compare this to 6–18 months for a traditional land listing.
What types of land does Craig work with?
Craig specializes in large-acreage Texas land across all ownership situations: working farms and crop land, ranch and pasture property, estate and inherited parcels, development tracts, hunting land, and recreational properties. If you're uncertain whether your property is a fit, a quick consultation will clarify it.
What if I set a minimum and nobody bids above it?
Craig's pre-auction marketing is designed to ensure a qualified buyer pool before auction day. If bidding doesn't meet your reserve, the property doesn't sell — you retain it. This rarely happens with properly prepared auctions. Craig will give you an honest assessment of market demand before you commit to an auction date.
Can Craig handle bilingual / Spanish-speaking buyer outreach?
Yes. Craig is fluent in English and Spanish and actively markets to Spanish-speaking buyers across Texas and beyond. This meaningfully expands your buyer pool, particularly for agricultural land and properties in South and Central Texas.
Is the initial consultation really free?
Yes. Craig's consultation costs you nothing and obligates you to nothing. It's a conversation — about your land, your goals, your timeline, and whether auction is the right strategy. You'll leave with more clarity regardless of what you decide to do next.
Have a question not covered here? Bring it directly to Craig.
Schedule a ConsultationQuestions about your specific property?
Craig gives you a straight answer — no hedge words, no broker speak. Just an honest assessment of what your land could do at auction.
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