The Lay of the Land Market Report serves as the authority on Georgia land values and real estate trends.
LAKELAND, FL, May 5, 2026 – Georgia’s land market is no longer moving in one direction. What happened in 2025 is already showing up in how deals are getting done today. New data from Saunders Land’s Lay of the Land® Market Report shows a market that has split, where asset type, location, and end use are driving outcomes more than overall momentum.
Georgia’s land market has become a tale of two markets, with some properties trading quickly, while others are sitting.
“The days of broad-based appreciation are behind us,” said Tyler Davis, President of Saunders Real Estate. “What we’re seeing now – and what we’re already seeing play out this year – is that buyers are far more selective. Deals are getting done when there’s a clear plan for the land and long-term value behind it.”
Powered by Saunders Real Estate’s proprietary Atlas platform, the report compiles verified land transactions across Georgia that closed in 2025. That data helps explain how the market is behaving today.
Farmland Pulls Back as Costs Rise
Georgia’s cultivated farmland market showed signs of cooling in 2025 after several years of growth. A total of 101 verified transactions across 48 counties accounted for 39,525 acres and $229.1 million in volume, with an average price of $5,486 per acre.
Lower commodity prices and rising input costs have tightened margins, pushing buyers to focus more heavily on productivity, irrigation, and long-term operational strength. That more disciplined approach is continuing into 2026.
Timberland Moves Higher Despite Challenges
Timberland values moved in the opposite direction, increasing 10.8% year over year to an average of $3,142 per acre.
This growth came despite headwinds such as mill closures and storm-related damage. Investor confidence, recreational demand, and long-term positioning continue to support pricing, trends that are carrying into 2026.
Buyer interest in Georgia timberland has expanded beyond traditional silviculture practices, with recreational opportunities drawing higher demand for forested land.
Recreational Land Remains Highly Active
Recreational land continues to be one of the most active segments in Georgia’s land market. In 2025, 653 verified transactions totaled nearly 147,000 acres and more than $536 million in volume.
Demand remains strong for well-managed properties, with buyer interest expanding beyond traditional strongholds into Central and Southeast Georgia. That momentum has continued into this year.
Ranchland Holds Steady
Ranchland demand remained consistent, supported by the strength of Georgia’s cattle industry and favorable production conditions.
Verified transactions included 8,248 acres totaling $47.3 million, with an average price of $5,730 per acre. The sector continues to attract both local and out-of-state buyers looking to diversify their land holdings.
Transitional Land Highlights a Growing Divide
Transitional land continues to tell the clearest story of a market that is no longer uniform.
Across 55 verified transactions totaling more than $243 million, pricing ranged widely – from $6,132 to $266,568 per acre, with a statewide average of $35,199 per acre.
Metro-adjacent markets averaged $43,836 per acre, while rural corridors averaged $21,216 per acre, underscoring the growing importance of location, infrastructure access, and development potential.
That pricing gap is becoming even more pronounced as 2026 unfolds.
The expectation of density, closer proximity to infrastructure, and a shorter runway from closing to construction are some of the primary drivers of development land interest in Georgia.
A More Selective Market
Across all land categories, the report points to a consistent theme: Georgia’s land market is becoming more asset-specific.
Rather than relying on overall market appreciation, buyers are taking a more targeted approach. They are focusing on properties with clear use cases, strong fundamentals, and long-term demand drivers. Broader factors, including interest rates, development patterns, and continued population growth across the Southeast, are reinforcing this shift. For landowners, that means pricing expectations must align with a more selective buyer pool. For investors and developers, opportunity remains, but it is increasingly tied to strategy.
A Market Defined by Strategy
Georgia’s land market is not slowing down. On the contrary, it’s evolving. As 2026 progresses, success will depend less on timing the market and more on understanding it.
You can access the full Lay of the Land® Market Report below.
Download the Georgia market report
About Saunders Real Estate
Saunders Real Estate is a leading land and commercial real estate brokerage serving buyers, sellers, investors, and landowners across the Southeastern United States for 30 years. With over 100 advisors and offices in major U.S. markets including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, we specialize in large-acreage land transactions, commercial property sales and leasing, and property management.
To reflect our legacy and continued growth, Saunders Real Estate operates through two divisions – Saunders Land and Saunders Commercial. Our expertise spans agriculture, conservation, recreation, residential development, and commercial real estate, supported by specialized services such as forestry, land management, and investment acquisitions.
Today, Saunders Real Estate is recognized as a trusted authority in the region, delivering exceptional results through experienced leadership, innovative strategies, and a client-focused approach.