Written by: Toby Stay, Illinois Land Broker, LandGuys

At LandGuys, we believe that our job doesn’t stop at the sale. Whether you’re buying your first recreational property or adding to a growing portfolio, we see every landowner as a long-term partner—and we’re in it with you for the long haul.

That means helping you build value on your farm—not just talking numbers when it’s time to sell.

We’ve walked enough farms and worked with enough landowners to know this: The best investments aren’t always the biggest. Sometimes, it’s just about doing the right things consistently and strategically.

Take trail cameras, for example.

We tell every landowner this—and very few actually do it. But the ones who do? They’re sitting on a goldmine of property equity without even realizing it.

The Easiest Way to Build Value (That Almost No One Does)

If you own a recreational farm and want to add real, resellable value to it, here’s one of the most powerful things you can do:

Buy ten high-quality trail cameras that shoot in HD video. Place them on known scrapes. Equip them with 64GB cards. Let them run all year. And don’t touch them until December.

That’s it. No gimmicks. No massive costs. Just strategic storytelling in the making.

Because when it comes time to sell your property, nothing—not even aerial drone footage or glossy brochures—tells the story of your land like a year’s worth of trail cam video showing bucks, behavior, patterns, and potential.

This is the kind of firepower that not only impresses buyers—it justifies your asking price. You’re not selling a piece of land. You’re selling a lifestyle that’s been proven, documented, and built over time.

Beyond Cameras: Small Moves, Big Impact

Trail cams are just one example. Here are a few more land decisions that can add major value when done right:

  • Tweak your cash rent program. A better structure or renegotiated terms could bring more income—and more appeal to future buyers.

  • Explore CRP options. Choosing a different Conservation Reserve Program can offer both short-term financial returns and long-term habitat benefits.

  • Selective timber harvest. Done right, it can improve forest health and create better deer habitat while generating income.

Representing the Land—Now and Later

This is why we do what we do. As land brokers, our goal is to walk alongside you from first showing to final sale—and even after that.

Because when you own land, you’re not just holding acres. You’re building a story. And when the time comes, we’ll help you tell it in the way it deserves to be told.

Follow Toby Stay on social media for more tips and updates.