3 Types of Property: Finding Property Tailored to Your Lifestyle

By Clark Grey

Finding Property

When it comes to finding property, numerous considerations come to mind. In addition, different motivations drive the decision to buy property. The three most commonly requested property types are investment opportunities, recreational use, and rural living.

1. Investment Opportunities

Finding property in Alabama for investments such as timberlands.

Investing in land is a compelling reason to explore property ownership. Furthermore, residential and commercial development land presents limitless possibilities for investment. Whether for cropland, livestock-raising, or timberlands, land can provide both personal enjoyment and a source of income. Well-managed timber, for instance, can be a lucrative long-term investment, yielding returns over 25-30 years. We can find properties suitable for the type of investment you desire.

2. Outdoor Recreation

Find property for recreational use like hunting and fishing.

Many individuals purchase land to immerse themselves in outdoor recreational activities. Plus, the beauty of owning recreational land is the freedom to entertain family and friends. From ATV riding and fishing to camping, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, or simply finding solace and relaxation amidst nature, the options are endless. Your lifestyle and interests will shape how you make the most of your recreational property. John Hall and Company can help you find properties and connect you with our trusted partners. These are referral partners to develop the land you want. Finding the right property and buying land is the ultimate investment during uncertain times.

3. Rural Living 

Finding property for rural living, from large farms to mini-farms.

Rural living remains a tremendous motivator for land buyers. However, rural living may not suit everyone. Rural land offers the opportunity to acquire larger lots unavailable in urban areas or established suburbs. Owning acres of land allows you to grow a garden, create a mini-farm, and enjoy peace and privacy. We can find properties to give you a more secluded lifestyle away from noisy neighbors.

While there are numerous other factors to consider when purchasing property, these three are the most common criteria people seek.

  • What are your land-owning goals?
  • What do you envision your land doing for you?

I am here to assist you in assessing your land needs and finding the perfect property for you and your family. Don’t hesitate to contact me, Clark Gray, at 334.391.9249 for any questions or inquiries. Explore our other available properties here.

At John Hall and Company, we dedicate our time to helping you discover the property that best aligns with YOUR unique lifestyle and interests!

Find property for your favorite hunting activities.

Landowner Shares Memories and Legacy

Welcome to John Hall and Company’s “Legacy Lands Series.” Hoke Smith, landowner, Real Estate Broker, and Partner, shares his heartfelt memories and the land legacy passed down through generations. Join us as we explore the invaluable experiences and profound significance of rural property. Extending far beyond its monetary value are the recollections of wonderful days with family and friends.

Landowners Leave a Land Legacy

Growing up, I spent countless weekends throughout every season of the year in the woods. Or, playing on the water with friends and family. Now that I have gotten older and have a family of my own, I look back and realize how that time molded me. To include, all the lessons I learned, the memories I made, and the special relationships I created from that time. I write these words for individuals interested in becoming landowners. I want to share my personal experience of what rural property can provide and how the land’s worth is far more than the monetary value it produces.

Every season of the year provides unique opportunities for landowners. Below are some activities you, your family, and your friends can enjoy each season. The memories and lessons learned from these activities will outlive the time spent doing them. Your children, grandchildren, and friends will have lasting impressions of what rural property provided them.

Recollections of early morning hunts with dad.

Spring Turkey Hunting

Spring is my favorite season of the year. Winter is ending, and new life is sprouting everywhere! Spend a cool, crisp morning with a friend turkey hunting and listening to the woods wake up! Turkey hunting is like a chess match, and the feeling of success provides a satisfaction that is hard to beat!

Find a body of water, whether a pond, lake, or creek, to go fishing. Many fish species spawn in the spring and can be found and caught in the shallows. Some great memories of mine as a kid are wading the creeks with a fishing pole and exploring. It always seemed like fishing was what we went for, but we had more fun swimming, catching crawfish, and exploring! Wind down with an evening by a campfire, cooking out, laughing, and reminiscing about the day. Talk about planning the next day. And, sit listening to the Whippoorwills or Chuckwills Widow. Simply, enjoying quality time with others outdoors as a landowner.

Summer Quality Time with Family

In the summer there may be little game to hunt. However, spending weekends with friends and family outdoors has given me some of my best lessons and memories. This was also the time for property projects and maintenance. My father always seemed to make the process fun and rewarding. We could come up with a never-ending list of things we wanted to accomplish during the summer. This afforded us time during the fall-winter to focus on hunting rather than on maintenance.

Summer is for grabbing friends and going camping for the weekend!

We stay up late around the campfire. Then, in the morning work towards knocking out our project checklist! We didn’t know it then, but we were constantly learning lessons (usually the hard way). Lessons included, methods for completing tasks such as clearing roads and trails of debris and fixing deer stands. In the meantime, we were having a blast riding our 4-wheelers and dirt bikes. When the day got hot, we would head to the creek, river, or pond and relax the rest of the day away. Alabama is rich in terms of the abundance of rivers and streams it has. It was a summertime ritual that we would always load up floats, kayaks, fishing poles, etc., and find a creek or river to float and explore!

Fishing with dad and my daughter in the summer on the land. A great benefit for landowners is time with family outdoors.

Fall Memories with Friends

The kickoff to a new season! Fall is the time of the year when all the wild game seasons begin! As a landowner, there is so much to do outdoors this time of year, and I always welcome it with open arms!

Dove season provides an excellent way to get the family out in the field. It is a great opportunity to introduce kids and new hunters to hunting! It is typically a social atmosphere that can be an excellent opportunity to teach and learn firearm safety. Hopefully, if the doves are abundant, it is a target-rich environment to sharpen your shooting skills. Enjoy the post-hunt camaraderie sitting on the tailgate of a truck and listening to a college football game. Plus, cleaning the day’s harvest!

Fall is also the time of year when landowners get fields planted and stands prepared for deer season. This time can be a great family activity.  We have multiple people in the fields with different jobs to do to get the fields prepared and planted! In addition, spend some time walking through the woods looking for deer signs. Exploring the land can be very educational for you and others. Learning what wildlife eats. Understand the time of the year different vegetation and mast-producing plants become desirable to the wildlife animals. Plus, scope out what are good areas to spend time hunting particular game, etc. There is always more to learn through exploration of the outdoors and its wildlife. The more you know and understand about the land, the more interesting it becomes!

Winter Harvesting White-Tailed Deer

Holidays, hunting, camping, hiking, and more. Winter is the season that landowners have prepared for throughout the rest of the year. The planting and preparation throughout the previous seasons lead to the winter season. All this effort, in hopes of harvesting the most popular game animal in the country, the white-tailed deer.

Other winter activities provide enjoyable experiences and memories. My family likes to spend holidays at the farm! Close and distant family members take time off from their jobs to make the trip every year. We reconnect to hunt, cook, ride ATVs, and spend time with each other. It’s a place where we can separate from the outside world and enjoy time together.

Winter is also a time of the year to rekindle old friendships. The trip agenda may be hunting, but it can be so much more than that!

Landownership can be much more rewarding than its monetary benefits. It can provide a place to create joy, fellowship, learning experiences, memories, and more! The land is more than an asset. It’s a place where you can create a legacy and one of the things people will remember you by!

I was taught life lessons and had many fond memories of growing up in the woods, fields, and waterways of Alabama. I know it will be a place that will continue to provide that for my family, children, and friends.

My dad taught me landowners have responsiblities to steward the lands natural resources.

John Hall and Company Legacy Land Series

The seasons may change, but the opportunities for unforgettable experiences on rural property remain constant for landowners. From the joy of turkey hunting in the crisp spring mornings to the camaraderie of dove season in the vibrant fall, each season presents its own special moments. The lessons learned the laughter shared, and the memories created become the lasting legacy we pass down to our children, grandchildren, and friends.

Owning or leasing rural property is not just about projects and maintenance; it’s about building a haven where you can nurture connections, learn life lessons, and embark on endless adventures. It’s a place where families come together, where friends unite, and where bonds are forged amidst the beauty of nature. Whether it’s fishing in the serene ponds, exploring the abundant rivers, planting fields for deer season, or enjoying the winter hunt with loved ones, rural property offers a tapestry of experiences that surpasses any financial gain.

The land becomes a cherished chapter in the book of our lives, a place where memories are etched, and legacies are born. Hoke Smith’s journey through the woods, fields, and waterways of Alabama is a testament to the immeasurable value of land—a place where joy, fellowship, learning experiences, and precious memories thrive. Discover the endless possibilities and create your own landowners legacy on rural property.

Landownership provide recreational fishing and hunting opportunities to your friends.

Start Your Own Landowners Legacy

At John Hall and Company, we are here to help landowners start their journey. The goal is to find the perfect piece of land to call your own. Reach out to our dedicated team today and embark on a lifelong adventure that will be remembered for generations to come. Future landowners can learn more about the First Steps to Buying Land.

Read Pete Hall’s article, Creating a Land Legacy, about the importance of passing down your legacy through owning land.

#LegacyLands #RuralProperty #UnforgettableMemories #LandLegacy #JohnHallAndCompany #CreateYourLegacy

The John Hall and Company team help future landowners to find their perfect property.

#LegacyLands #RuralProperty #UnforgettableMemories #LandLegacy #JohnHallAndCompany #CreateYourLegacy

 

Why 2023 is the Best Time to Sell Land in Alabama

 

 As we begin a new year, you have probably started thinking about your goals for the year ahead: the exercise routine you swear you will accomplish, the stack of books you want to read, and the major financial moves you want to make for yourself and your family. If you own land in Alabama and have considered selling, this could be the best year to list it and maximize your profit.

 

Seller’s Market

As we have experienced over the past few years, the land market continues to be a seller’s market. Quality listings are still in low supply with a high demand, thus keeping land values up!

There are a number of factors contributing to the current seller’s market: An inventory shortage, large pool of cash buyers and investors, and an increase in desire to escape the city life.

 

Inventory Shortage

 

Inventory in the land market is typically lower than in the residential market. Inventory in land listings also usually stays on the market longer than residential listings. What we have experienced over the past few years, and are still experiencing, is that listings are becoming available, but spending much less time on the market. This has created a shortage of active available listings in a time where there is a surplus in the number of buyers. This affects land values simply through the law of supply and demand. If demand exceeds supply, then prices will rise.

 

Large Pool of Cash Buyers and Investors

There is a lot of cash in the market right now and it is coming through several different avenues. One is through 1031 tax exchanges. Property owners are taking advantage of a seller’s market and selling their investment properties. In return, they are replacing these properties using 1031 tax exchanges to purchase another investment.

In the land market, this takes the form of timberland, farmland, pastureland, transitional land, development land and recreational land.

 

With the recent history of the stock market declining, investors are diversifying their portfolio by investing in land which traditionally is a safer investment.

 

Increased Desire to Escape City Life

As the world locked down in 2020, kitchen tables suddenly transformed into office spaces, and backyards started to feel small. The coronavirus pandemic left many people seeking a place to retreat. It renewed the desire to escape city life for the great outdoors. Whether they want a premier hunting plantation or land on the river, more buyers throughout the state and country have entered the market to purchase beautiful Alabama lands.

 

Even in a seller’s market, the brokerage firm you use to list your property can have a huge impact on how fast the process moves and the return you make on the sweat equity, vision, and stewardship you have poured into your land.

 

John Hall & Company Difference

 

The team at John Hall & Company boasts many years of experience helping clients sell land, including premier hunting plantations, investment properties, conservation easements, mini-farms, agricultural land, pastureland, and rural residential lots. In our almost thirty-five years, we have sold over 350,000 acres. Our land consultants are true experts with experience ranging from a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) to a past president of the Alabama Realtor’s Institute. All of our specialists are also landowners who know what is important when considering land sales. From the first call to the closing table, our employees have the skills, knowledge, and connections to walk you through the entire process of selling your property.

 

Personalized Process with Valuable Services

We know every piece of land is different and unique. The process of listing your property for sale is customized to you and your land. We want to get to know you and answer your questions. What improvements do I need to make to my land? What will help my property stand out to potential buyers? What is my land’s true worth?

 

Our brokers have years of experience and knowledge about managing land and important aspects to consider. We can assess your land and give suggested improvements to make it even more marketable. We work with you to find what makes your land unique and help showcase its one-of-a-kind features to potential buyers. We are also able to provide a free broker’s opinion of value to be sure you list at the right price. Our extensive database of comparable sales that gives empirical data on current market prices helps us ensure we are advising you to sell for the correct price. We are familiar with land throughout the state and even know the micro-markets that add value within various counties.

 

The marketing of your property can also help it sell for top dollar with minimal time on the market. Many firms use a “one size fits all” model to market their listings. Utilizing traditional and digital marketing, John Hall & Company creates a marketing plan customized specifically for your property. Drone footage, email blasts, and our website are just a few of the ways we make sure your listing is properly showcased to potential buyers. We are a local firm, familiar with the area, who can market your property on a local, regional, and national level.

 

In addition to selling your land, we offer additional services to you. We are skilled at mediation and land division. If your sale involves multiple family members or other co-owners, we can work with you to be sure a fair and equitable division of the land is achieved. We can also provide wildlife management plans, forestry services and timber cruises, and mapping.

 

Relationships throughout the State of Alabama

All of our relationships are built on the foundations John Hall laid when he started the company: integrity, service, and practicing the golden rule.

 

We build and foster relationships with all of our clients. Selling your land is an education process for all parties involved. We get to know you and your needs. In addition to answering your questions and guiding you through the process, we’ll also ask you questions to find out what your objective is for selling your land. We work to ensure we meet the goals that lead you to sell your property.

 

Relationships matter when marketing your property too. As a boutique firm, John Hall & Company prides itself on having relationships throughout the state of Alabama. We have qualified buyers ready to purchase property and can connect the right buyer to the land you are selling. We truly love finding buyers who will value and appreciate the land as much as you did. In the current market, the average time it takes to sell a property with John Hall & Company has been virtually cut in half.

 

Using our network, John Hall & Company sold multiple properties before they even hit the market in 2021. From a thirteen million dollar sod farm to a six hundred and seventy-eight-acre plantation, we had buyers ready and waiting to purchase land.

 

“Pete Hall and his team helped me by securing a property they had listed in Dallas County. We then added additional property through their relationship with the trust department of the local bank. They also helped connect me with various experts in their field such as foresters, farmers, the local office of the Farm Service Agency and more. ” David Chadwick

 

We also have relationships with other experts. When you become a John Hall & Company client, we introduce you to our network of advisors in the fields of financing, forestry, wildlife biology, surveyors, closing attorneys, and more. Whether you need a land survey or wood infestation report, we can connect you with the right people to get the job done with excellence.

 

As land values have increased and the time it takes to sell your property has decreased, there has never been a better time to sell your land. Are you ready to list your property? John Hall & Company has thirty-five years of experience helping families buy and sell land in Alabama. We are ready to help you through the important decision of selling your property. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the process and help you make the most money from the sale of your land. Give us a call today.

Creating a Land Legacy

 

As we celebrate thirty-five years of helping Alabama families buy and sell land, we think it is important to share part of why we are passionate about land ownership. Pete Hall, son of John E. Hall Jr. and part-owner of John Hall & Company, shares how land ownership can help you create a legacy for generations to come.

 

When you think of the word legacy, what comes to mind? You might immediately think of the money you plan to leave for your kids or grandkids. Maybe, you think about passing down family heirlooms–the diamond ring you gave to your wife fifty years ago or a prized hunting rifle. Moreover, you might think of a legacy that can be shared long after you are gone as your values are instilled in those you love.

 

While land can be a major financial asset, the value of land is created by much more than just the dollars and cents. Land is connected to memories, experiences, and feelings. It can also be used to create traditions that pass down your family’s values. Whether it is the place you take your grandkids and their friends on an annual fishing weekend or your hunting plantation is used to provide a retreat for those who might need an escape from their day to day, the values shared while on the land makes it one of the greatest investments you can make to shape your legacy for future generations.

 

At John Hall & Company, we believe land ownership allows you to pass down your values as well as your assets.

 

Making Memories with Family and Friends

As a fourth-generation landowner, a love of land is in my blood. Some of my fondest memories have been created while on my family’s land. I’ve been shaped by my experiences hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with family and friends.

 

 

Hunting & Fishing

One thing I love about living in Alabama is the great hunting and fishing.

 

There is something about spending a cold morning in the woods together that forges an unforgettable experience. Hunting allows you to escape, be still, and enjoy God’s creation. Every hunter knows you also cannot beat the thrill and adrenaline that comes with taking down a big buck you have been watching on your trail camera for weeks.

 

Alabama’s lands boast the opportunity to hunt deer, wild turkey, quail, waterfowl, and more. While some hunts do not allow for a lot of conversation, others give the perfect opportunity to connect; whether you are talking business or listening to your teenager open up about the struggles of high school, hunting provides a great chance to deepen relationships.

 

Fishing is a sport that can be enjoyed year-round in Alabama. Similar to hunting, it allows you to escape a busy life and enjoy the peace of nature. We have also all heard the saying, “if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” While cliché, I have seen so much value in teaching my kids about fishing. When my son, Luke, was younger, my dad took him out fishing on the dock and caught a video of him reeling in a “big one.” The joy and excitement they shared at that moment were palpable.

 

Quality Time

 

Everyday life is busy and filled with noise. No matter the season, land provides a perfect place to enjoy distraction-free time with family and friends. There is something special about sitting around a campfire after spending a day in the woods or on the lake. As you share food and stories, you quickly see the benefit of escaping off the grid. I have seen myself and others laugh and open up about trials and triumphs during my time at the hunting plantation.

 

 

We have spent Thanksgiving at our family farm for many years. It is a time we all love and look forward to because it brings the extended family together to create memories and share a meal. The tradition has already left a lasting impact on my boys and me. I know it will remain a part of our family’s future.

 

Land ownership is about family and friendship. As you hunt, fish, and spend quality time together, you create memories to last a lifetime.

 

Recently, I was able to take a group of my son’s friends and their fathers out to the land for a weekend trip. We hunted and enjoyed meals together, but more importantly, we spent quality time fellowshipping without distractions. I know we all walked away refreshed and with new memories.

 

Exposure to New Experiences

 

Education Opportunities

 

There are so many opportunities to teach and train the next generation while spending time outdoors. Alabama’s natural resources provide a great classroom to expose people to new things and experiences. It can open their horizons to opportunities and provide the space to teach them important values.

 

Conservation is a vital lesson that reinforces your values. It teaches kids about respecting the animals and the harvest. Bag limits are set to protect populations and to also help when there is an overabundance of a certain species. As you follow laws and utilize guidelines, you are showing respect for nature and authority. Cleaning and eating what you kill or catch can also display respect for the animal and being a good steward of the resources it yields. Hunting and conservation also give an opportunity to teach gun safety, emphasizing care and precaution while handling firearms.

 

 

As landowners, we should be good stewards of our land and its resources. As you care for your land, you can invite your kids and grandkids to be a part of the process. Whether you are teaching them about the biodiversity of the land or showcasing best practices for a prescribed burn, good stewardship of resources shows your family you care about more than just what the land can do for you. You care about protecting and preserving it for future generations.

 

Land ownership is educating the next generation to properly conserve and steward Alabama’s beautiful lands. It is passing down your values through hands-on lessons.

 

From an early age, my father, John E. Hall Jr., used our family’s land as an education opportunity for me and my brothers, Josh and Luke. He taught us how to hunt and how to safely use a gun. He taught us about conservation and stewardship. Most importantly–through the many lessons, he also passed down his values to us. As we took care of the land, I learned about hard work and leaving God’s creation even better than I found it. As we hunted, I learned more about integrity and respecting wildlife. As a father to two young boys, I’m already working to pass down these values and the love of land to my sons.

 

 

Financial Legacy

While a land legacy is shaped by much more than just the finances. I would be remiss if I did not mention passing down land through a family can be a financial gift for future generations. It is important to have a will to ensure your asset is passed down in the way you would like and your wishes for the land are carried out. Make sure your expectations are laid out so it does not cause feuding among your family.

 

Oftentimes, the financial gain is not seen or realized until the land is sold. While you own the land, there are many ways to add to the enjoyment of your land while also enhancing its financial value. Whether you build a lodge your family can use for weekend getaways or plant timber that can later be sold, it is important to think about how you would like the property to serve your family–now and in the future.

 

When the time comes to sell the land, many families experience a large profit. John Hall & Company’s brokers can help you or your family members reach your financial goals for the property. We have extensive experience with mediation and land division; we can also connect you with other experts to help you maximize your financial gain from the sale of the land. If you are interested in using the profit from the land to buy another piece of property, a 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange can help save on taxes. The procedure allows you to sell the land and buy like-kind property while deferring capital gains tax.

 

Land ownership is leaving a financial gift for your family even after you are gone.

 

While there is a large financial benefit to being a landowner, the legacy it helps create has many layers. I would not be the man I am today if I was not raised on land. My character and values have been shaped through my time working, enjoying, and appreciating God’s creation, and I am already seeing the benefit with my children.

 

It brings me great joy to help other families build their land legacy. As a family business with more than thirty-five years of experience, John Hall & Company’s brokers are ready to help you find the perfect property. Give me a call today, and let me help bring your vision to life.

 – Pete Hall

 

 

We would also love to hear from you! As you can see, we think the real #valueofland comes from enjoying it with family and friends. If you would like to be featured on John Hall & Company’s Facebook and Instagram page, email emily@johnhallco.com your picture and why you love owning land in Alabama.

 

John Hall & Company Celebrates 35 Years

John Hall & Company Celebrates 35 Years

As we enter a new year, John Hall & Company is excited to celebrate a major milestone. We have been serving clients and helping them buy and sell land in Alabama and surrounding states for thirty-five years! As we mark the anniversary for the company, it is important to look back at where it all began and the values that have shaped our business.

 

Our Start

John E. Hall Jr.’s appreciation of land ownership started at an early age. His grandfather, E. O. Hall, purchased his family’s farm in 1930. A true entrepreneur, he grew cotton, operated a cotton gin, and was the postmaster. He also owned and ran the family’s general store in Cecil, Alabama–The John Hall Store. John E. Hall Sr., Hall’s father, followed in the same footsteps.

John E. Hall Jr. considers it a great privilege to grow up on his family’s farm. From an early age, he hunted, fished, and explored with his family and friends. As a young teenager, he was already running a tractor and bush hog. His upbringing led him to learn about the natural resources like creeks, trees, soil, and wildlife that comprise a tract of land.

 

“Growing up in a rural setting gave me a lot of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to learn the value of hard work and experience and enjoy the outdoors,” said Hall.

 

Hall attended Auburn University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics. While at Auburn, he met his wife, Diane Fleming Hall. Diane also grew up with an appreciation for land, as she was raised on her family’s farm in Madison County.

 

After completing his education at Auburn, Hall served in the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery for two years. Hall then started his career in real estate in 1971 selling homes, land, and commercial properties for thirteen years; he then went on to work for a developer for three years. With over sixteen years of experience, Hall decided it was time to start his own company. In 1987, John Hall & Company was founded. In addition to Hall, the company had a part-time secretary and one other salesman. From the start, John Hall & Company handled commercial sales, investment property sales, and land sales.

 

Our Growth

Networking has been a key to the growth of John Hall & Company. Whether it’s working with a repeat client to purchase conservation easements or meeting families who want to purchase land to leave a legacy for future generations, the brokers at John Hall & Company build relationships with their clients. With connections throughout the state of Alabama, John Hall & Company has grown and evolved. While the company still handles a variety of sales, the majority of business centers around land sales.

Hall recounted a few exciting sales throughout the history of John Hall & Company.

 

In the early years, a typical land sale for John Hall & Company was around 200-500 acres. In 1975, one of Hall’s salespeople learned about an approximately 150,000 acre listing in the panhandle of Florida. Owned by Procter & Gamble, the Carabelle property included primarily pine timberland. Hall and another broker flew to Florida with a potential buyer, the buyer’s family, and the buyer’s Forester to show the land. They ended up writing a contract immediately on the hood of a truck for 11,000 acres of the property. The sale closed quickly and was a huge win within the first few years of business.

 

An Elmore County lakefront property was another exciting opportunity for John Hall & Company. Along Yates Lake, the 3,500 acres of land were sold to Forever Wild Land Trust. The sale led to an additional deal with 2,000 adjoining acres that were part of a trust. Through Forever Wild, the land is managed, groomed, and preserved to be used by the public. The tract of land allows for hunting, fishing, bird watching, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. It also features two hiking trails totaling over seven miles.

 

Our Legacy

Family-owned and operated since 1987, John Hall & Company is one of the oldest continuously operated land-based real estate company in the state. Core values, a love of family, and a passion for land ownership have played large roles in contributing to the business’ success.

 

Values

The core values of John Hall & Company are integrity, service, and practicing the golden rule. These values have been in place since its start and have shaped the business’ legacy. While employees have come and gone throughout the years, Hall believes the hardworking and honest people who have been a part of the company have played a major role in its success.

 

“The key to success is treating your customers and employees with utmost respect, honesty, and integrity,” said Hall. “We work to be very service-oriented.”

 

Hall is very generous with his time and has trained brokers throughout the state. Many who have worked for John Hall & Company have gone on to open their own companies.

 

Family

Family is a priority to John E. Hall Jr. With Diane, his wife of fifty-three years, he has three sons–Josh, Pete, and Luke; a doting grandfather, he also has nine grandchildren he enjoys spending time with and talks about with pride.

Two of Hall’s sons, Pete and Josh, are a part of John Hall & Company.

 

Pete has been a broker at John Hall & Company for twenty years. He is now a partner in the company with most of his focus centered on land sales and development. A true expert, he is the first person in Montgomery, Alabama to earn the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation. To become an ALC, land professionals must complete a rigorous education program, have a track record of transaction performance, and showcase a commitment to professional growth.

 

Josh is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser with an MAI Membership designation from the Appraisal Institute. He is a shareholder in Valbridge Property Advisors, where he specializes in the valuation and consulting of commercial real estate and land. Josh is also a broker for John Hall & Company, helping clients purchase shopping centers, subdivisions, office buildings, and timberland.

 

Land Ownership

Hall considers land ownership a big blessing. His farm in Macon County is enjoyed by his family, as well as their friends.

“Because it has been in the family since the ‘30s, it’s just a special place. Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday because that’s when we gather as a family and extended family together at the farm,” said Hall. “It’s a wonderful day we look forward to every year.”

 

The cabin at the farm is filled throughout hunting season by Hall’s sons and grandkids. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, or exploring on the four-wheelers and ATVs, it is used to create memories to last a lifetime. Hall also uses time spent at the farm as a teaching opportunity; he emphasizes hunting safety and the conservation of wildlife.

 

Hall’s love of family and appreciation of land ownership has fueled his passion at John Hall & Company. Hall and the other brokers enjoy connecting buyers with a piece of property that meets their needs. It goes beyond simply making a sale; they love to see families achieve their dreams.

 

“It’s such a wonderful pleasure when you start working with a family… a buyer, who tells you their ideal property,” said Hall. “We start the search and help connect them with the perfect place. To see them happy and making memories as a family, that’s what it’s all about.”

 

Hall personally knows the impact land ownership can have on generations. He and the team at John Hall & Company enjoy helping clients build their legacy and create a place where their families can make treasured memories.

 

Our Future

John Hall & Company is excited to provide excellent service to buyers and sellers for years to come. As new technologies become available, the team continues to adapt. Drone footage, mapping software, and digital marketing have enhanced the buying and selling process. Although the boutique firm has grown and changed over the last thirty-five years, it remains true to the core values John Hall held dear when he started John Hall & Company–integrity, service, and practicing the golden rule. Buyers and sellers are treated with respect, as brokers seek to educate them throughout the process. Thanks to the hard work of John E. Hall Jr. and his team throughout the years, John Hall & Company is a local, relationship-based company with the ability to market properties nationwide.

 

From the team at John Hall & Company, thank you for making the last thirty-five years a success! We are grateful for our family, friends, and clients who have supported us for more than three decades. We cannot wait to continue to grow together as we help our clients buy and sell premier recreational properties, commercial property, and land investments.

Why 2022 is the Best Time to Sell Land in Alabama

 

 As we begin a new year, you have probably started thinking about your goals for the year ahead: the exercise routine you swear you will accomplish, the stack of books you want to read, and the major financial moves you want to make for yourself and your family. If you own land in Alabama and have considered selling, this could be the best year to list it and maximize your profit.

 

Seller’s Market

 

Now more than ever, it is the ideal time to sell land. Demand for land is at an all-time high; at the same time, there is a shortage of prime land available on the market. The increased demand and low supply have caused land values to increase by around thirty percent.

 

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the current seller’s market: low interest rates, more expendable income, and an increased desire to escape city life.

 

Low Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve typically lowers interest rates during periods of economic decline and uncertainty. As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, interest rates remain at an all-time low, and experts expect them to stay low as we head into the new year. The rates have brought more borrowers to the market, as they look to lock in their purchase at a low interest rate. The low rates also impact buyers’ purchasing power because it directly impacts their overall monthly payment.

 

More Expendable Income

The Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Impact Payments pumped more cash into the market. The increase in expendable income has allowed people to consider more luxury purchases, including investing in land and property. Buyers are ready to consider big purchases with more money in their bank accounts earning very little interest.

 

Increased Desire to Escape City Life

As the world locked down in 2020, kitchen tables suddenly transformed into office spaces, and backyards started to feel small. The coronavirus pandemic left many people seeking a place to retreat. It renewed the desire to escape city life for the great outdoors. Whether they want a premier hunting plantation or land on the river, more buyers throughout the state and country have entered the market to purchase beautiful Alabama lands.

 

Even in a seller’s market, the brokerage firm you use to list your property can have a huge impact on how fast the process moves and the return you make on the sweat equity, vision, and stewardship you have poured into your land.

 

John Hall & Company Difference

 

The team at John Hall & Company boasts many years of experience helping clients sell land, including premier hunting plantations, investment properties, conservation easements, mini-farms, agricultural land, pastureland, and rural residential lots. In our almost thirty-five years, we have sold over 350,000 acres. Our land consultants are true experts with experience ranging from a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) to a past president of the Alabama Realtor’s Institute. All of our specialists are also landowners who know what is important when considering land sales. From the first call to the closing table, our employees have the skills, knowledge, and connections to walk you through the entire process of selling your property.

 

Personalized Process with Valuable Services

We know every piece of land is different and unique. The process of listing your property for sale is customized to you and your land. We want to get to know you and answer your questions. What improvements do I need to make to my land? What will help my property stand out to potential buyers? What is my land’s true worth?

 

Our brokers have years of experience and knowledge about managing land and important aspects to consider. We can assess your land and give suggested improvements to make it even more marketable. We work with you to find what makes your land unique and help showcase its one-of-a-kind features to potential buyers. We are also able to provide a free broker’s opinion of value to be sure you list at the right price. Our extensive database of comparable sales that gives empirical data on current market prices helps us ensure we are advising you to sell for the correct price. We are familiar with land throughout the state and even know the micro-markets that add value within various counties.

 

The marketing of your property can also help it sell for top dollar with minimal time on the market. Many firms use a “one size fits all” model to market their listings. Utilizing traditional and digital marketing, John Hall & Company creates a marketing plan customized specifically for your property. Drone footage, email blasts, and our website are just a few of the ways we make sure your listing is properly showcased to potential buyers. We are a local firm, familiar with the area, who can market your property on a local, regional, and national level.

 

In addition to selling your land, we offer additional services to you. We are skilled at mediation and land division. If your sale involves multiple family members or other co-owners, we can work with you to be sure a fair and equitable division of the land is achieved. We can also provide wildlife management plans, forestry services and timber cruises, and mapping.

 

Relationships throughout the State of Alabama

All of our relationships are built on the foundations John Hall laid when he started the company: integrity, service, and practicing the golden rule.

 

We build and foster relationships with all of our clients. Selling your land is an education process for all parties involved. We get to know you and your needs. In addition to answering your questions and guiding you through the process, we’ll also ask you questions to find out what your objective is for selling your land. We work to ensure we meet the goals that lead you to sell your property.

 

Relationships matter when marketing your property too. As a boutique firm, John Hall & Company prides itself on having relationships throughout the state of Alabama. We have qualified buyers ready to purchase property and can connect the right buyer to the land you are selling. We truly love finding buyers who will value and appreciate the land as much as you did. In the current market, the average time it takes to sell a property with John Hall & Company has been virtually cut in half.

 

Using our network, John Hall & Company sold multiple properties before they even hit the market in 2021. From a thirteen million dollar sod farm to a six hundred and seventy-eight-acre plantation, we had buyers ready and waiting to purchase land.

 

“Pete Hall and his team helped me by securing a property they had listed in Dallas County. We then added additional property through their relationship with the trust department of the local bank. They also helped connect me with various experts in their field such as foresters, farmers, the local office of the Farm Service Agency and more. ” David Chadwick

 

We also have relationships with other experts. When you become a John Hall & Company client, we introduce you to our network of advisors in the fields of financing, forestry, wildlife biology, surveyors, closing attorneys, and more. Whether you need a land survey or wood infestation report, we can connect you with the right people to get the job done with excellence.

 

As land values have increased and the time it takes to sell your property has decreased, there has never been a better time to sell your land. Are you ready to list your property? John Hall & Company has almost thirty-five years of experience helping families buy and sell land in Alabama. We are ready to help you through the important decision of selling your property. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the process and help you make the most money from the sale of your land. Give us a call today.