At AcreValue, we’re always finding ways to make it easier for users to find the right properties. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new Government-Owned Land Filter! This tool lets you include or exclude government-owned properties (city, state, federal, etc.) from your property searches.
But what does that mean for you? Whether you’re a farmer, investor, conservationist, timber professional, or renewable energy developer, having this added flexibility can make all the difference in your property search. Let’s take a closer look at how different users might use this new filter and what types of properties the filter identifies.
What Types of Properties Does the Filter Identify?
Our new Government Ownership Filter identifies publicly owned properties across multiple levels of government, including:
- City or Municipal Properties: Examples include public parks, city-owned lots, and other facilities managed by local governments.
- County and State Properties: These may include state forests or land reserves managed by state agencies.
- Federally Owned Lands: Think national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties, and even certain brownfields under federal oversight.
- Special Districts: Land owned by entities like water districts, transit authorities, or utility agencies.
With the Government Ownership filter, you can adjust your search to include or exclude these properties, depending on your goals.
Best Ways to Use the Government Ownership Filter
Let’s explore how different users might use this flexibility to their advantage.
1. Renewable Energy Developers
If you’re developing renewable energy projects, this tool offers a more focused search experience. Generally, developers need large, connected parcels of land, and government properties can create unexpected roadblocks. By excluding government lands, you can find private parcels that are more accessible for solar or wind farms.
However, not all developers want to avoid government lands. Brownfield developers—a type of renewable energy developer—often target government-owned properties like landfills or former treatment plants. In this case, you might include government properties in your search to identify these potential sites more easily.
2. Farmers & Ranchers
Farmers and ranchers often want to expand operations near existing properties, so private land is often a better fit. By excluding government-owned land, you can streamline your search to focus on parcels that are most likely available for purchase or lease, saving time and effort.
3. Real Estate Agents
Rural land agents may find this tool especially useful, as government lands like national forests, wildlife refuges, or BLM properties often intersect with private holdings. By excluding government lands, rural agents can focus on private parcels that are more likely to be bought, sold, or developed.
4. Rural Land Investors
Investors often look for land that generates income, whether through farming, timber, or leasing for recreational use. Government properties generally don’t provide these opportunities, so excluding them from searches can help investors identify suitable private parcels more quickly.
5. Conservation Organizations
Conservation groups often aim to expand or connect existing natural areas. Including government properties in your search makes it easier to identify adjacent parcels that can help build wildlife corridors or protected buffers around parks and preserves. The ability to include government-owned lands gives conservationists a clearer view of which areas can best support broader conservation goals.
How to Start Using the Filter
To activate the Government Ownership filter, follow these steps:
- Log in to AcreValue: Ensure you are logged into your AcreValue account.
- Navigate to the map: Go to the map section of AcreValue.
- Open the “More” Filters Section: Click on the “More” filters button to view all available search filters.
- Select Government Ownership Designation: Choose to include, exclude, or search only for government land. Then, apply your filters.
The Government Ownership filter is available to consumers with a Plus subscription or higher, or Enterprise subscription holders. Ready to get started? Purchase a subscription or contact AcreValue Sales about an Enterprise subscription.