In this episode of The American Land Seller, we sit down with Geoff Hurdle, respected land developer, broker, and the 2026 National President of the Realtors Land Institute (RLI). Geoff has built his career around a disciplined approach to land development, identifying opportunity in large tracts and transforming them into smaller, accessible parcels that make land ownership possible for more people.
Our conversation dives into the mindset and mechanics behind that strategy. Geoff explains how buying, developing, and selling smaller rural tracts, often in the three to five acre range, creates an entry point for first-time buyers, hobby farmers, and families who simply want space outside the city. We also talk about the role of owner financing, fair deal structures, and the importance of working with buyers through challenges while maintaining professional standards.
Beyond development strategy, Geoff shares insights from his leadership within the Realtors Land Institute, including the importance of education, community, and professional standards in the land brokerage industry. Organizations like RLI continue to play a critical role in elevating the profession through programs like the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation and events like the National Land Conference, where relationships, education, and real business opportunities come together.
We also discuss how modern land professionals balance technology and experience. Today’s tools, from advanced mapping platforms to aerial imagery and flood data, have made research faster and more accessible. But as Geoff explains, technology never replaces the fundamentals. Walking the property, understanding the land firsthand, and bringing real-world experience to the transaction remain essential.
Geoff also shares his perspective on transitional land opportunities, working with builders, and how a focused brokerage operation can successfully serve both local and national clients by maintaining strong processes and attention to detail.
Along the way, we revisit the surge in rural land demand during the COVID years, the lessons that period taught about readiness and inventory, and why thoughtful zoning and mixed rural uses can help create stronger, more resilient communities.
In this episode we discuss
• How smaller tract development can open the door to land ownership
• Structuring owner financing for rural land buyers
• RLI’s role within NAR and the importance of professional education
• Why boots-on-the-ground experience still matters in land brokerage
• Lessons learned from the COVID era surge in rural land demand
• Transitional land opportunities for builders and developers
• The value of conferences, education, and relationships in the land business
If you care about credible land brokerage, better buyer experiences, and practical ways to expand land ownership, this conversation offers both insight and perspective from someone who has spent years working through complex land deals and helping shape the future of the profession.
Connect with Geoff Hurdle
Work Phone: (615) 815-9364
Email: thelandman@geoffhurdle.com
Website: http://geoffhurdle.com
