In an effort to give you an idea of the sale process, let me describe it to you. We begin by meeting to view your timberland. I do not charge for our initial meeting. I will ask you what your objective is for your woodland. Do you have a long term view, or do you want to maximize your return? As we walk the woods, I will ask you more questions to further refine your goals. I will also be looking at ease of access and want to see your boundary lines.
Once we walk the woodland I will give you my recommendations and explain my fees. At this point, most landowners want me to tell them what the timber is worth. Usually our time together in the woods is not more than an hour or two and you may have 150 acres of timber. I may give you my professional opinion based on my years of experience. However, I will not be able to give you a dependable number until I do the field work. The important point to remember, I want your timber to bring the most money possible and the field work is critical to getting the correct volumes for each species.
If you see value in the services I offer, I will want to enter into a marketing agreement with you. The agreement will explain what I will do, how you and I will be paid, and release you from any liability for my actions.
I will then mark or inventory the timber and prepare to put it on the market. If I advertise the timber, it will be on the market for 25-30 days. At a specified date, we will have a bid opening and award the timber to the highest bidder. I will then prepare a contract between you and the buyer and a contract will be signed within 10 business days of the sale. At the contract signing, you will be paid in full for the timber unless other arrangements have been made. It is not uncommon to allow the buyer to pay 10-20% of the sale price at the contract signing with the balance due in 30, 60 or 90 days. In all cases, you will be paid in full before any timber is cut.
Once the harvest operation begins, I will make visits to check on the logging and monitor its progress and compliance with the timber sale contract.
