Brad Neihouser CBC Shook

From the first time we connect with a potential client to the moment the auction begins; a sense of uncertainty is common. Owners often have pressing questions, like:  - How does this auction work? - What happens if the bids don’t reach a satisfactory price? Are we obligated to sell? - How does an online auction work? What if there are technical issues and people can’t bid? - Who will be bidding on my farm?               We all have so many questions.   Rest assured, these concerns are common, and I address them fully before any client signs a listing contract. In our initial meetings, I guide you through how a real estate auction operates, highlighting how competition in an auction setting can drive prices higher than a traditional listing. After the listing contract is signed, an auction date is set, marketing materials are manufactured, and the advertising schedule is initiated. Then, I start to personally contact neighbors and farmland buyers that are known to me for a

Many of my farm clients face the difficult task of dividing inherited farmland while still hoping to gather peacefully for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, this challenge often leads to family rifts when the previous generation fails to make tough decisions before passing away. I've heard the phrase, "They'll figure it out when we're gone," more times than I can count. But the truth is, if you knew what was happening after your passing, you'd be turning in your grave. Leaving your children to inherit undivided farmland can be the ultimate disservice. It's rare for families not to have at least one difficult personality, and when significant money is involved, old tensions can quickly resurface. That’s where I come in. I specialize in guiding families through these challenging situations, working towards outcomes that leave everyone as content as possible. In many cases, most heirs simply want to sell the land and convert it to cash, which can be a straight

So, you've had your property on the market for over a year. Initially, there was some interest, and you heard from your broker periodically. However, in the last eight months, the market seems to have died, and the only time you hear from your broker is when you call to see what is going on. What could be the problem? First, does your property show well?   Are the windows washed? Is the floor free of debris? Have you tended to the weeds outside, or are they growing unchecked? Commercial real estate buyers are no different from any other buyers; neat, clean, and efficient sells. A sloppy and dirty presentation makes it harder for buyers to see the potential in your property. Second, Are you priced competitively in the marketplace?   If other similar properties are priced lower, guess which ones get shown and sold? Unfortunately, not yours. By now, your broker should have had a heart-to-heart discussion with you regarding your property's price. Lastly, is your property getting fu

Many times, we look at a situation and ask,  How hard can it be,   What's the worst that could happen? Sometimes, things are pretty hard; sometimes, bad things happen, and things go wrong.   What do we do? How do we react? An old business partner/mentor named Otto Wuethrich told me once. When all else fails, read directions.  I'm going to say that again, when all else fails, read directions. At that time, I was struggling to open a sack of soybean seeds to dump into the planter. A little tag clearly said pull this tape here, and I was thrashing around doing everything but following the directions. This little saying has always stuck with me, and I think we can carry it one step further and say when all else fails, go back to the basics.   No matter what profession we are in, there are the basics of every profession that we must do every day. When all else fails, read directions and go back to the basics always works. I remember looking at Otto and laughing a

Selling farm real estate can be a fascinating yet challenging endeavor. I've often remarked that farm properties usually go on the market due to the "two D's": death and divorce.  Many times, I am called to a family's home after the parents have passed away, and the family is undecided about how to move forward. Typically, some siblings want to keep the farm, while others prefer to sell and cash out.  Both opinions are valid as everyone's motivation is different. However, those two motivations could not be more polar opposites. Most of the time, parents have not done an excellent job of estate planning and have just kicked the can down the road, and they say that the kids will handle it after we are gone. Yes, the kids will handle it all right, but probably not in the way that parents envisioned. I have heard countless times from heirs that their parents would roll over in their graves if they knew what was happening now. One story in particular br

Regarding: A Happy Client the CHALLENGE  In 2018, a client's mother passed away, and they were in need of a farm appraisal. An attorney I know well referred them to me; however before they agreed to hire me, they ensured I checked all the boxes and met their standards. Over the past several years, I regularly contacted them regarding farmland values. In early 2022, they decided it was time to sell the farm. I put together a proposal I shared with the rest of their family members, and we all agreed that I was the person to sell their farm. I advised conducting an online real estate auction to attract qualified cash buyers. This appealed to them, as they did not want any hiccups or buyers trying to arrange to finance or make their offers condition upon selling other farmland.  the ACTION  I created an intense marketing campaign covering a 10-state radius around their farm. I also contacted all the surrounding landowners and mailed over 600 pieces of information to prospectiv