It’s peak ag season, and land buyers are looking to move quickly. Misclassifying these properties or underestimating what’s financeable can lead to missed opportunities. At United Ag Lending, we help loan officers identify and process these unique loans. With our expertise, you can grow your business with mortgage products for raw, improved, or income-producing land that traditional lenders often overlook.
Ready to learn more about specialized ag financing offerings?
What counts as agricultural land?
Agricultural land includes any property used for farming, ranching, or rural purposes. For instance, these properties may feature crop production, livestock husbandry, or recreational uses like hunting and off-roading. This type of land falls into one of three categories:
- Raw: Untouched rural acreage with no utilities or improvements
- Unimproved Land: Land with some access (roads, utilities) but no permanent structures
- Improved Land: Land that features barns, fencing, crops, livestock, or other operational improvements
If you’ve never worked on an agricultural land loan before, it can be difficult to determine land type on your own. Contact United Ag Lending, and we can coordinate with an appraiser to confirm the property’s classification for you.
Think Bigger With Ag Loans: It’s Not Just Farms
At United Ag Lending, ag financing goes far beyond traditional farms. We work with a wide range of property types—equestrian, orchards, feedlots, row crops, and more. We also finance manufactured homes, as long as they’re double-wide, built after 1976, and secured to a permanent foundation.
For loan officers, the most important step is clarifying the borrower’s intent early on, whether the land will be used for farming, recreation, or both. Connect with your United Ag Lending account executive upfront to confirm eligibility and structure the right loan from the start.
Preparing to Apply for Ag Loans
To get ready for an ag loan application as a loan officer, you should guide borrowers to gather key property details early. We recommend knowing the:
- Land use plans
- Zoning classifications
- Total acreage
- Existing improvements
- Current or anticipated income generation
While these inputs help shape the loan structure, final valuation and property highest and best use determination come from the appraisal. That’s why the best first step is connecting with your United Ag Lending account executive. They can help pre-approve the property, flag potential issues, and ensure the deal is structured correctly from day one, saving you time and reducing risk of fallout later in the process.
Why Summer is the Season to Act
Summer marks peak season for agricultural buyers, especially those aligning purchases with planting, harvesting, or livestock cycles. Many borrowers need creative financing to close efficiently during this time.
With agriculture land loans and a team of experts on your side, summer becomes the ideal time to say yes to more land deals and close what others can’t.
Ready to close more ag land deals?
Don’t miss out this peak season. Connect with a United Ag Lending account executive to explore financing options perfect for your client’s unique land needs.
Streamline your process and get quick feedback on your client’s property. Use our simple loan tool to check your property’s potential and send details straight to our expert team.
