What is a land agent?

A land agent negotiates the purchase of land for commercial purposes, such as acquiring the right of way for a railroad or the rights to a future oil well. They may work on behalf of a private company or as part of a state agency. Other duties include identifying potential sites, handling negotiations for the use of roads or water rights for construction purposes, making land assessments, and settling any damage claims that arise from the building process. They must be familiar with legal contracts, real estate laws and regulations, as well as any environmental regulations that might affect their employer’s building plans.