LAKELAND, FL, January 23, 2023 - Amid a growing demand for Timberland, SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler brokered the $37.5 M sale of two large timber tracts in North Florida’s Marion County. The two-property deal consists of the 7,114-acre Gooski Timberlands and the 5,598-acre Fort McCoy Timberlands. The deal, which closed on December 28, 2022, represents one of the largest timberland transactions in Florida in recent years.
SVN | SRD Founder & Managing Director Dean Saunders, Senior Advisors Dusty Calderon and Tony Wallace, and Advisor Greg Driskell represented the seller, a national holding and investment company with agricultural assets throughout the United States.
“This property has a high site index and the buyer knew the tract of land very well,” said Saunders.
SVN | SRD currently has over 30 listings involving timberland with acreage ranging from over 30 acres to over 12,000 acres across Florida.
The buyer worked with First American Exchange Company, LLC to acquire these parcels through a 1031 Exchange. As a local entrepreneur in Marion County, the buyer exchanged several commercial assets for the two timberland properties.
When looking into a 1031 Exchange, investors across the nation have understood the rapid demand growth that timberland has experienced over the past few terms. This development is not unknown to land brokerages. In the past year alone, SVN | SRD brokered over $81.5 million in timberland transactions representing over 13% of the firm’s total transaction volume.
Gooski Timberlands features timberland with excellent recreational potential. Its diverse environment provides the perfect habitat for Whitetail deer, wild turkey, and feral hogs. The property also features many traversable trails perfect for ATVs or horseback riding.
As another prime timber investment, Fort McCoy Timberlands features almost 3,000 acres of merchantable planted pine. Previously owned by some of the nation’s largest timber companies, this property boasts an efficient network of logging roads ready to be used. Similar to its counterpart, this tract holds ample recreational potential for the ambitious sportsman and practicing equestrian.
“This is a special investment opportunity for any landowner,” Driskell said. “Combined together, these neighboring timber parcels add excellent diversification to an investor’s portfolio.”
About SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler
SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate is a full-service land and commercial real estate brokerage representing buyers, sellers, investors, institutions, and landowners since 1996. The firm is nationally recognized as an authority on all types of land and commercial real estate, including agriculture, ranch, recreation, timber, and development, as well as office, retail, industrial, and multifamily properties. Services include brokerage and advisory, land consulting and entitlement, land management, commercial property management, leasing and tenant representation, site selection, property valuation, data-driven market reports, and conservation easement negotiation. With an extensive team of real estate advisors located throughout the Southeast and offices in Florida, Georgia, and Arkansas, SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate has the knowledge and resources available to help clients realize their real estate investment goals.