LandByOwner

MD Land Sale Guide

Sell Land by Owner
in Maryland

Maryland-specific deed types, recording office, transfer tax, survey rules, mineral rights, and county recorder links.

Maryland — Quick Reference

Deed Types
Deed of Conveyance, Quitclaim Deed
Recording Office
Circuit Court Clerk (County)
Maryland.gov — Circuit Courts →
Transfer Tax
0.5% state + county transfer tax (varies)
Survey Required?
Not required (but recommended)
Seller Disclosure
Required by law
Mineral Rights
Typically included with surface
Avg. Days to Close
45–60 days

Maryland note: Maryland imposes both a state transfer tax (0.5%) and a county-level transfer tax. Both buyer and seller typically share costs. Ground rents exist on older Baltimore-area properties. Perc tests required for rural septic lots.

How to Sell Land by Owner in Maryland

Five steps from pricing to recording — no real estate agent required.

1

Price Your Land

Research recent comparable land sales in your county using AcreValue, county GIS records, or the county assessor site. Price per acre varies widely by access, utilities, timber, and zoning. Overpriced land sits for years.

2

Order a Survey (If Needed)

A boundary survey confirms exact acreage, corners, and easements. Buyers increasingly require one for rural parcels. If your deed references old metes-and-bounds or you're unsure of the exact boundary, order a survey early.

3

Run a Title Search

A title search through your county recorder confirms you own what you're selling and reveals any liens, judgments, or encumbrances. For older rural property, pay special attention to severed mineral rights, timber reservations, and utility easements.

4

Prepare the Deed

Your deed must include grantor/grantee names, legal description, consideration paid, and notarized signatures. Use a state-specific form — Warranty, Grant, or Quitclaim — depending on what protections you're willing to convey.

5

Close and Record

At closing, collect payment (wire transfer or cashier's check), sign the deed, and have it notarized. Record the deed at your county recording office within a day or two. Pay any applicable transfer taxes at recording.

Seller Disclosures in Maryland

Maryland requires sellers to complete a property disclosure form before closing. For vacant land, disclosures typically cover:

  • ›Known environmental hazards or contamination
  • ›Easements, encroachments, or boundary disputes
  • ›Flood zone status or wetland designation
  • ›Zoning restrictions or planned public improvements
  • ›Access limitations (landlocked parcels, right-of-way issues)
  • ›Septic feasibility or existing perc test results

Tools for Selling Land in Maryland

Value Your Land — AcreValue

Get an instant per-acre land valuation for your Maryland parcel. Compare to recent comparable sales.

Check Land Value →
List on LandWatch — MD

Reach buyers actively searching for vacant land in Maryland. LandWatch is the largest dedicated land marketplace.

List Your Land →
Generate Your Deed — Rocket Lawyer

Create a Maryland-specific Deed of Conveyance with a notarization-ready template.

Create Your Deed →
Survey & Perc Test Quotes — MD

Get quotes from licensed land surveyors and site evaluators in Maryland before listing.

Get Survey Quotes →

Frequently Asked Questions — Maryland Land Sales

How do I sell land by owner in Maryland?+
To sell land by owner in Maryland: (1) price your land using AcreValue and county comps, (2) run a title search to verify ownership and clear liens, (3) prepare a Deed of Conveyance using a state-specific form, (4) record the deed at the Circuit Court Clerk (County), and (5) pay any applicable transfer tax (0.5% state + county transfer tax (varies)). You do not need a real estate agent.
What type of deed do I need to sell land in Maryland?+
Maryland commonly uses: Deed of Conveyance, Quitclaim Deed. A Warranty Deed provides the strongest buyer protections and is the most marketable. A Quitclaim Deed conveys whatever interest you have with no warranties — suitable for transfers between family members or when you cannot provide title guarantees.
Is a survey required to sell vacant land in Maryland?+
Maryland does not legally require a survey to sell vacant land, but buyers and title companies often request one — especially for rural parcels where boundaries may be unclear.
Do I need to disclose if mineral rights are separate in Maryland?+
Mineral rights in Maryland are not commonly severed from surface rights, so a standard surface deed typically conveys both. However, always verify by searching the title chain for any prior mineral reservations.
Where do I record a deed in Maryland?+
In Maryland, deeds are recorded at the Circuit Court Clerk (County). You will need the original signed and notarized deed, payment of any applicable recording fees and the transfer tax (0.5% state + county transfer tax (varies)), and any required transfer declaration forms. Recording makes the transfer official public record.
When is a perc test required for vacant land in Maryland?+
In Maryland, a percolation (perc) test is commonly required when a buyer plans to install a private septic system on a rural lot without access to municipal sewer. The test determines whether the soil drains adequately. Sellers sometimes order a perc test proactively to make a lot more marketable.

Also See: Neighboring States

Delaware (DE)Pennsylvania (PA)West Virginia (WV)Virginia (VA)

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