Koby Rickertsen
Land Specialist & Broker
NE, CO, SD, KS, OK, MO, WI, AR, WY
We started before sunrise.
Land changes by the hour. By the wind. By the light. And to get it right, you’ve got to be there, boots on the ground, camera in your hand, and your eyes wide open.
A few weeks ago, I was out on a 160-acre tract near Lewellen, Nebraska. I was there to prepare the marketing materials, photography, drone work, and storytelling. You name it. The kind of prep most folks never see, but all the serious land agents live by.
That day turned out to be a full-on reminder of why this work matters.
A Morning That Delivered More Than Just Photos
The light was soft and low, perfect for those wide-angle shots that do the place justice. As I walked across the field with my camera in hand, I could hear them: turkeys, everywhere. Three toms strutted across the food plot chasing a hen. Jake’s pushing the edges. Gobbles echoing across the entire property like a morning roll call.
Whitetail deer moved with calm confidence through the cover, easing into view and slipping right back out. Pheasants flushed ahead of me while I picked my way along Ash Creek. And the alfalfa, fresh cut that week, filled the air with that earthy, sweet smell you only get out here.
Later that day, the clouds broke.
The reflection on the pond was damn near perfect. Two and a half acres of water, glassy and still, with bass and bluegill right below the surface. It looked like a magazine cover, but that kind of shot doesn’t happen by accident.
It takes timing and patience to succeed. You need to arrive early and stay late. This way, the land can show you what it has to offer.
Cabin Talk, Timing, and a Welcome Party
Later that day, I headed up to the lodge to shoot interiors. A hunter was staying there, bow hunting turkey, a friendly guy, full of stories. He told me he hadn’t seen a turkey in several days.
Fifteen minutes later, we looked out the window. We couldn’t believe it: 14 or 15 Jakes walked up to the cabin. They appeared to be coming to file a complaint. Talking, showing off, the whole nine yards.
Not 2 minutes later, we saw 3 large toms chasing a couple of hens through a valley, not 100 yards from us. We stood on the porch laughing, shaking our heads, and watching the show unfold.
That’s land for you. Wild. Timed on its own terms. And always ready to remind you who’s really in charge.
Every Property Has a Story, It’s Our Job to Tell It
When you’re listing land, you’re not just marketing acres, you’re sharing a story. One that only exists on that ground, in that location, with that mix of features, wildlife, and history.
It might be a family getaway built over generations. A hunting camp that produced once-in-a-lifetime memories. A pond where someone’s kid caught their first fish. Or a field where the deer know to bed down just out of sight.
Good land agents pay attention to that story. Great ones help tell it.
That’s what I’m doing when I walk the property. When I study the light. When I talk to the owner. When I listen to the critters. I’m learning what this place is, not just what it has.
Because the story is what sticks with buyers, and it helps a family see themselves here. And it’s what helps a seller feel proud when their land changes hands.
The Reality of Marketing Land: It Takes Time
Most people don’t realize how much work happens before a listing ever goes live.
You don’t get great drone shots at noon. You rarely finish photography in one afternoon. You also don’t get the story right unless you spend enough time walking the property.
If you’re thinking about selling your property, here’s the truth: you need to start planning weeks ahead. The best listings don’t happen in a rush.
- Drone work needs ideal weather.
- Photography takes multiple visits to catch the right light and conditions.
- Writers should create descriptions after they understand the land, not just after they map it.
- Marketing that works takes tons of coordination and no shortcuts.
This preparation helps serious buyers connect with the property. It also helps sellers get the offers they want.
If You’re Selling, Start Early and Start Right
I’m not saying every property needs a film crew and three months of build-up. But for real results, you’ve got to give your land the attention it deserves. That starts by calling your land agent early. Let’s plan it out, capture the light, tell the story, and release it at just the right time when it hits the market.
Marketing farm land is part art, part brains, part timing. The best results come when all three are working together. None of it comes quickly, though.
The Wrap-Up
The 160-acre property is under contract now. But the lessons from that day still stick.
Great land speaks for itself, but only if you take the time to listen. When you stand there in the early morning, you hear turkeys gobbling. Whitetail deer sneak around, and clouds dance on the water. In that moment, you don’t need a sales pitch.
You’re right in the middle of it.
Do you want to learn more?
If you’re considering buying or selling land, reach out to a local High Point Land Company agent. For more questions regarding land real estate, visit our YouTube Knowledge Center!
About Koby Rickertsen
Koby Rickertsen is an Accredited Land Consultant (ALC), Multi-State Land Broker, and Senior Real Estate Specialist with High Point Land Company. With deep agricultural roots and a disciplined background in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force, Koby applies a data-driven, results-oriented approach to land transactions, ensuring clients maximize their farmland’s value. Reach out to Koby at 308-529-0067 or email Koby@highpointlandcompany.com.
