Ready to sell your unwanted cemetery property and grave plots for cash?
Great!
But it’s harder than you think. You need the Ultimate Guide to Selling Cemetery Property!
What is the best way? Which method is quickest? How do you start?
Read on to find out . . . .
The Ultimate Guide to Selling Cemetery Property: Top 3 Ways to Sell Graves and Cemetery Plots
1. The Ultimate Guide: Consult a Cemetery Broker
Undoubtedly, for most people, a licensed cemetery broker will be the best resource for selling graves and burial plots. Indeed, a cemetery broker is a professional who specializes in buying and selling cemetery property.
The Role of a Cemetery Broker:
- Provide deep understanding of the cemetery industry, including market trends, regulations, and legal requirements.
- Perform an expert valuation of your property and recommend a sales strategy.
- Maintain a wide network of potential buyers, which increases your chances of a quick sale, and means they can negotiate the best possible price on your behalf.
- Advertise your property on their website, to funeral industry professionals, and to pre-need and at-need buyers.
- Show your cemetery property and grave plots in person to potential buyers. (Some cemetery brokers offer this service, but not all do. This is especially valuable if you live far away from the plots you are trying to sell)
- Share expertise and legal knowledge to guide you through the sales process. Their job is to complete all the paperwork and ensure a successful transaction.
- Follow best practice: Cemetery brokers are licensed and regulated, and must adhere to strict ethical standards. The licensing requirements for cemetery brokers vary, but states that have specific regulations include: California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas.
(Hint: When you research cemetery brokers, be sure to check the broker you choose is licensed in your state, and that they manage all stages of the sales process before you sign up with them.
Many plot listings services are not brokers, and merely provide a classified ads’-like service.
Look for the words ‘cemetery broker’ and insist on using a licensed and bonded professional, just to be sure.)
In California, cemetery brokers are licensed by the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.
In New York State, cemeteries are overseen by the NY Cemetery Board.
By using a licensed cemetery broker, you can ensure a smooth and successful sale, and maximize the value of your cemetery property.
2. The Ultimate Guide: Research Online Marketplaces
Secondly, while not as common as traditional methods, some online marketplaces allow listings for grave plots. It’s another way to sell cemetery property.
Selling Cemetery Plots Yourself:
- Online marketplaces typically charge upfront listing fees and/or a percentage of the sales price. Listings-only services are not licensed cemetery brokers and do not handle the transaction for you. Instead they just display ‘classified ads’ and you do the rest.
- Research these platforms to see if they’re a suitable option for your specific situation. People who choose this method are typically not in a hurry to sell their plot, and have the time and expertise to act as their own sales representative.
- If you decide to sell a plot online by yourself, you will be responsible for all aspects of the transaction, from valuing the property and pricing it, to creating a sales listing and communicating with potential buyers.
- It can be a slow process, especially if you do not have local knowledge or are unable to accompany potential buyers to view your plot in person.
- Most importantly, if you are successful in finding a buyer for your plot, you will need to negotiate a price and complete all the legal aspects of the transaction according to the rules in your state, and the specific requirements of the cemetery in which your plot is located.
- Be alert for scammers! Plots are high value items and can involve substantial dollar amounts.
- Do your best to value your plot correctly and advertise it to suitable buyers for your best chance of success with this method.
3. The Ultimate Guide: Sell your Plot Back to the Cemetery
Lastly, you can try and sell your plot back to the cemetery. Sometimes cemeteries will re-purchase plots back from you.
- This depends on which cemetery, which plots you have, and where your property is located within the park. It is more likely if your property is located in a sold-out section of a popular cemetery.
- When cemeteries buy back plots, they offer less than the current selling price for comparable new plots. This is frequently lower than the price you originally paid as well.
- Anecdotally, this method typically results in the lowest cash amount for the plots you sell. Nevertheless, some people still choose this option.
Summary
As this Ultimate Guide to Selling Cemetery Property shows, it is certainly possible to sell your unwanted cemetery property.
People do so for many reasons, such as to get cash, or because their circumstances change.
You can successfully sell your unwanted grave plots and maximize their value.
The easiest, fastest and most reliable way for most people to sell a grave plots or cemetery property is to use a reputable licensed cemetery broker. Other methods include listing your plots and finding a buyer yourself, or sometimes you can sell them back to the cemetery.
This article is the third in a series of guides to help you sell cemetery property and grave plots.
For more information click here: How to Sell Cemetery Property and Grave Plots and Tips for Selling Cemetery Plots
A Full Service Cemetery Broker
At Bayer Cemetery Brokers, we understand the importance of preserving the memory of loved ones. For over 25 years we have helped families in Southern California and beyond find the perfect resting place for their loved ones at the most cost-effective price.
If you’re interested in purchasing cemetery property, or if you have a burial plot you want to sell, we are here to help: Contact us here
We are licensed and bonded by the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.