Methodology
How we research, what data we use, how we maintain editorial independence, and how often we update.
Our research process begins with primary public records. We do not rely on broker-supplied listing descriptions, agent commentary, or secondary aggregation services as authoritative sources. The county recorder, state water engineer, and federal GIS databases are the starting point for every claim we publish.
For due diligence methodology, our framework draws on the standard protocols used by professional land surveyors in conducting ALTA/NSPS surveys and boundary disputes, combined with the environmental review process used in conservation easement acquisitions. We consult Registered Land Surveyors (PLS) to verify that our checklist items reflect current regulatory and professional standards.
For state-level data, we cross-reference at minimum two independent primary sources before publishing a claim — for example, water doctrine summaries are verified against both the state legislature's statutes and the state water engineer's own published guidance documents.
The following primary data sources underpin our published analysis:
Annual Land Values Summary (August release) — provides per-acre farmland and ranchland values by state and USDA crop reporting district. This is the primary source for price data in our state comparison tables. Published annually; we update our tables within 30 days of each NASS release.
Water right adjudication histories, priority dates, consumptive use allowances, and moratorium notices come from each state's designated water management authority: e.g., Montana DNRC, Wyoming State Engineer's Office, Idaho Department of Water Resources. We link to official state portals and note the date we retrieved each dataset.
Deed chain verification, encumbrance history, and assessed valuation data are drawn from county recorder offices. Agricultural exemption (1-D-1 and productivity) status and rollback tax exposure are verified against individual county assessor portals. We access these records as public documents.
Regulatory floodway and 100-year floodplain boundaries. Accessed via the FEMA Map Service Center. FIRM panels are specific to each county and may be several years behind current conditions; we note panel effective dates where relevant.
Soil series data, drainage class, slope percent, and perc rate estimates used in our septic feasibility analysis. Accessed via the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) portal. We note that soil survey data represents survey estimates, not site-specific test results — a licensed soil scientist must conduct on-site testing for permit applications.
Stream classification (perennial, intermittent, ephemeral) and navigability status data used to assess potential jurisdictional wetland and waterway constraints. Accessed via the USGS National Map. Navigability determinations for regulatory purposes require Army Corps of Engineers review.
Raw Land Guide does not sell land, broker parcels, or accept sponsored listings. We do not accept payment to write about specific properties, developments, or auction events. We do not accept advertising from real estate brokerages, land auctioneers, or developer entities.
Affiliate and referral disclosures: We may earn a referral fee when a reader clicks a link to a third-party service (title search tools, survey cost calculators, lender rate platforms). These links are labeled. The existence of a referral relationship does not influence our editorial analysis of that service, nor does it bias our coverage of the broader category. We would link to the same services without compensation if we believed them to be the best available option for readers.
Our analysis conclusions are never reviewed or approved by commercial partners before publication. We do not share draft content with land sellers, lenders, or service providers prior to publication.
Our state comparison tables (price per acre, water doctrine summaries, zoning assessments) are reviewed quarterly. Price data is updated immediately following each USDA NASS Annual Land Values release in August. Water doctrine changes are rare but monitored via state legislative calendars.
Our checklist methodology is reviewed annually against current professional surveyor standards (ALTA/NSPS), FEMA map revision cycles, and any relevant changes to state environmental or sanitary code requirements. The checklist version number and last-reviewed date are noted in the guide.
The holding cost calculator's default assumptions (road maintenance ranges, stewardship cost per acre) are updated when industry cost benchmarks shift materially. The calculator's formula and assumptions are documented in the tool's disclosure copy.
Blog and analysis posts are not published on a fixed schedule. We publish when we have a substantiated, fully-sourced piece that adds genuine analytical value. We do not publish to fill a content calendar.
If you identify factual errors or out-of-date data, contact the editorial desk. We treat correction requests seriously and publish corrections promptly.