Does the Federal Government ever sell public land?

The answer is yes. Lands identified as excess to the public's and Government's needs or more suited to private ownership are sometimes offered for sale. This brochure explains the procedures and where to go for more details.

First, it's important to understand the Federal Government has two major categories of property which it makes available for sale: real property and public lands.

Real Property is primarily developed land with buildings, usually acquired by the Federal Government for a specific purpose, such as a military base or office building. If you are interested in real property, contact the General Services Administration (GSA). This Federal agency is responsible for selling developed surplus property. Addresses and telephone numbers for the GSA regional offices are listed in the back of this brochure.

Public Land is undeveloped land with no improvements, usually part of the original public domain established during the western expansion of the United States. Most of this land is in the 11 Western States and Alaska, although some scattered parcels are in the East. This land is the responsibility of the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM). (Note: Because of land entitlements to the State of Alaska and to Alaska Natives, no public land sales will be conducted in Alaska in the foreseeable future.)

The BLM does not offer much land for sale because of a congressional mandate in 1976 to generally retain these lands in public ownership. The BLM does, however, occasionally sell parcels of land where our land use planning finds disposal is appropriate.

We receive numerous questions about land sales and have prepared page to answer the most common ones. You may also obtain more detailed information from one of the BLM state offices.

Where are these public lands?

Almost all are in the Western States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming.

There are also small amounts in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.

There are no public lands managed by the BLM in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Is any of this land available free through homesteading?

No. Congress has repealed the Homestead Act.

What lands are available?

Although homesteading is a thing of the past, the BLM does have some lands suitable for purchase by private citizens. These are lands that have been identified as unneeded by the Federal Government or as better utilized in private ownership. By law, these lands are made available for sale at no less than fair market value.

How are these lands selected for sale?

The law states that the BLM can select lands for sale if, through land use planning, they are found to meet one of three criteria: 1) they are scattered, isolated tracts, difficult or uneconomic to manage; 2) they were acquired for a specific purpose and are no longer needed for that purpose; or 3) disposal of the land will serve important public objectives, such as community expansion and economic development.

What do the lands look like?

Land types vary widely. Some may be desert; some are rural. Some are small parcels of just a few acres; some are several hundred acres in size.

Is any land suitable for farming?

Any lands with agricultural potential will be clearly identified in the sale notice. However, most public lands have little or no agricultural potential.

On the average, what would public land cost per acre?

There is no "average" cost. Each parcel is evaluated separately through established appraisal procedures, based on the value of surrounding parcels. Fair market value is determined for each parcel. No parcel can be sold for less than fair market value.

How is the land actually sold?

The BLM has three options for selling land: modified competitive bidding where some preferences to adjoining landowners are recognized, direct sale to one party where circumstances warrant, and competitive bidding at public auction. The sale method is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the circumstances of each particular parcel or sale.

Are there any preferences for veterans?

No laws currently exist allowing the BLM to give veterans any preference for land purchases.

Where can find out about land that is going to be sold?

Your best source is the BLM office with jurisdiction over the area you're interested in. The BLM State Offices and their jurisdictions are noted in the back of this brochure. They can send you sale information. Sale information will also be published and broadcast in local news media.

Where are land sales held?

They are held near the area to be sold, either at the local BLM office or in a suitable public location. Sales by the BLM are not held in Washington, D.C.

Are there any restrictions on who can bid on these parcels?

Federal law states that the BLM can sell public land only to U.S. citizens or corporations subject to Federal or State laws.

Must I appear in person to participate at the sale?

Your personal appearance is not required, but it is always to your advantage to examine the parcel and know exactly what you are bidding on.

Sales can be conducted by oral bid, sealed bid, or a combination of both. However, even if only oral bidding is allowed, you can be represented by an agent.

Details on procedures for a particular sale are specified in the sale notice available from the BLM. The notice will specify type of sale, the percentage of the full price that must be deposited with each bid, and the time period allowed for full payment. The highest qualified bidder is eligible to buy the land; the deposits of unsuccessful bidders are returned

Now is payment made? Is there financing available?

A certain minimum percentage of the full price is required with each bid. If you are the successful high bidder,the balance must be paid in full to the BLM within a set period of time before a deed or patent can be issued. Long-term financing must be arranged through private lenders.

Once the BLM issues my deed, can I do anything I want with the land?

Yes, according to the terms of the deed and subject to State or local restrictions. The sale notice will clearly specify any Federal reservations or conditions of sale. These might include reserving mineral rights to the Federal Government, or allowing some currently authorized uses, such as grazing, to continue for a certain period of time, or reserving rights-of-way or easements for powerlines, pipelines, etc.

You are advised to review these conditions carefully so that you fully understand what your deed does and does not include.

What about local taxes, zoning, etc.?

Once you receive title, the land is subject to all applicable State and local taxes, zoning ordinances, etc.

Are water, power, and sewer service available on all parcels?

You should check with the city or county involved to see if such services are available.

Are there roads or easements that guarantee I can get to the property?

The sale notice will explain legal access to the property or any access restrictions. You are advised to check out the parcel before you buy, including finding out if available access meets your needs.

I'd like to find out what parcels the BLM currently has listed for sale. Where can I obtain that information?

The BLM State Offices are your best source. They can tell you what sales are currently scheduled and what prospects are coming up. You can write, call, or visit them periodically for latest details.

If a sale is currently scheduled, information can be requested from the BLM describing the property and method of sale.

More detailed information, such as land reports, environmental assessments, etc., is also available upon request for a small copy fee.

TAX DELINQUENCY SALES

Some local governments sell private land on which taxes have been delinquent to satisfy the tax debt. The Federal Government has no involvement in these sales. The best source for information is the local county tax assessor in the area involved.

STATE LAND PROGRAMS

State governments sometimes sell state-owned land. Information on these types of sales can be obtained through the State Lands Office in the State capital.

For more information on this topic and others, go to the government site below:

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/

You're Interested in Buying Used Government Personal Property?
Then We Have Great News For You!

Shopping for used federal government property has never been easier. Today you can quickly and easily access sales opportunities on hundreds of items at any given time. Great buys at fair market value can be had for a huge variety of property, including items ranging from vehicles, to tools and machinery, to furnishings and office equipment!

When items are no longer needed by the civilian federal agencies, they can turn to us at GSA to assist them in quickly offering the items for sale to businesses and individuals like you. And while GSA helps federal agencies find a new home for the property, the best news is that the proceeds from the sale of items help reduce the cost of running the government, and saving taxpayer dollars!

Property is from civilian federal agencies only.

Wow… What a Variety to Choose From!

The following is a sampling of used government items that you can buy from us:

• Agricultural, Mining & Construction Vehicles & Machines

• Aircraft, Boats & Related Equipment

• Cameras & Projectors

• Cars, Vans & Trucks

• Communications Equipment

• Computers, Printers, Copiers & Typewriters

• Food Preparation/Servicing Equipment

• Foreign Coins, China, Crystal & Rugs

• Tools, Hardware, Plumbing, Heating & Electrical Equipment

• Jewelry & Collectibles

• Medical & Laboratory Equipment

• Office & Household Furniture

• Recreational & Athletic Equipment

Of course, in order to save taxpayer dollars, GSA expects to receive a fair market price for all the items it sells on behalf of federal agencies and offices. As such, every item has an undisclosed minimum price. Your tax dollars paid for these items when they were new, and GSA expects to receive the best possible return on your tax dollar when they are sold.

Two Easy Ways to Purchase Used Government Property:

1. Go to www.govsales.gov and view a listing of all government property for sale (by all Federal Asset Sales approved Sales Centers). All property offered for sale by GSA, as well as property and real estate offered by other agencies, is listed here.

2. Visit www.gsaauctions.gov, the online home of GSA Auctions®. This award-winning online auction site is where you’ll find a huge offering of a wide variety of personal property, with item descriptions and images of items for sale. Its features include electronic bidding, bids by proxy, electronic payment, and instant feedback.

Note: For information about upcoming sales, you may call the telephone number(s) listed with each address in this brochure or visit www.gsa.gov

How to Find Out About Our Sales…

Buyers may obtain information about upcoming sales by calling our telephone information lines to hear recorded messages, or by visiting www.gsa.gov or www.gsaauctions.gov.

At times, we advertise in local newspapers and on the radio, and we sometimes post notices in public buildings.

Highly specialized sales, or those that might generate interest nationwide, are announced in national newspapers, trade journals and periodicals.

We also advertise sales of national interest online at the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) Web site at www.fbo.gov (the single government point-of-entry for federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000.) This site, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allows vendors to register to receive e-mail notifications of opportunity in their areas of interest. Visit the site, or call 1-877-472-3779.

Information about other federal sales programs is also found in publications listed in the federal Consumer Information Catalog. For a free copy, please call 1-888-8-PUEBLO (1-888-878-3256) or visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov.

Payment & Removal

GSA accepts payment in a variety of forms, including U.S. currency; bank cashier's check; money order; travelers' checks; U.S. federal, state or local government checks; credit cards; and online payment via the U.S. Treasury’s Web site: www.pay.gov.

Purchasers are required to remove their purchases within the time prescribed for each sale, after payment is made. If a purchaser fails to pay and/or remove the merchandise by the prescribed timeframe, the liquidated damages ($200 or 20 percent of the purchase price, whichever is greater) will be assessed to the purchaser.

GSA Regional Offices

Mid-Atlantic Region
CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, PR, RI, VA, VI, VT, WV
The Strawbridge Building
20 N. 8th Street, 10th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 446-5065 Fax: (215) 446-5116

DC and Metro MD, VA
6808 Loisdale Road Building A, Suite 2
Springfield, VA 22150
Phone: (703) 605-9321 Fax: (703) 605-9363

Southeast Sunbelt Region
AL, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, OH, SC, TN, WI
Peachtree Summit Building
401 West Peachtree Street, Suite 2600
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 331-0040 Fax: (404) 331-1877

Greater Southwest Region
AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
819 Taylor Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (800) 495-1276 Fax: (817) 574-2367

CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
P.O. Box 25506, DFC, Building 41
Denver, CO 80225-0506
Phone: (888) 999-4777 Fax: (303) 236-7544

Pacific Rim Region
AK, AS, AZ, CA, CM, GU, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA
450 Golden Gate Avenue 9FBP
4th Floor West
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 522-2891 Fax: (415) 522-3033

Disclaimers:
GSA cannot guarantee the condition of its sale items. You are encouraged to physically inspect property prior to sale, at which time you would learn of any item deficiencies that are known. Nonetheless, GSA cannot be responsible for any problems that may be identified after the sale.

Conditions of Sale:
GSA sells used personal property according to the U.S. Government’s Standard Form 114C, General Sale Terms and Conditions and special Terms and Conditions. You may ask to review a copy at any of the GSA regional sales offices, at a sale’s location, or at www.gsa.gov.

U.S. General Services Administration
Office of Transportation & Property Management
Property Management Division (FBP)
1901 South Bell Street, Suite 804
Arlington, VA 20406-0003
www.gsa.gov
August 2007

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