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How a Pine Thinning Transformed a 70-Acre Property in Chester County, SC
May 26, 2025
How to Read a Land Survey Plat: A Beginner’s Guide for Landowners and Buyers
If you’re purchasing land, dividing property, or simply want to understand your boundaries, a professional land survey plat is one of the most important documents you'll encounter. But for the uninitiated, reading a survey can feel like deciphering a foreign language—full of numbers, lines, and symbols
Fences, Fields, and Fine Print: An Introduction to Zoning on Rural Property
Zoning laws play a critical role in land use and property development across the United States. For landowners, buyers, and investors, understanding these regulations—particularly agricultural zoning—is essential to making informed decisions and avoiding costly surprises.
The Power of Pollinators: Why Rural Landowners Should Prioritize Habitat Improvement
Across America’s rural landscape, the quiet hum of bees, flutter of butterflies, and industrious work of pollinators is vital to the productivity and ecological health of our farms and forests. Yet pollinator populations—especially native bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds.—are in decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, invasive species, and changing land use. For rural property owners, this trend is not just an environmental concern—it’s a direct threat to the health of their land and long-term productivity
The Significance of Hats at the Kentucky Derby
When it comes to the Kentucky Derby, it’s not just the horses that turn heads—it’s the hats. This long-standing tradition is as iconic as the race itself. From wide-brimmed sunhats adorned with feathers and flowers to bold fascinators that defy gravity, Derby hats are a celebration of Southern style, creativity, and pageantry.
How a Pine Thinning Transformed a 70-Acre Property in Chester County, SC
In the heart of Chester County, South Carolina, a 70-acre property recently underwent a major transformation—one that showcases the power of good forest management. The key to this success? A professionally executed pine thinning.
Planting for Wildlife Success: Late Spring and Early Summer Food Plots
Whether you steward land in the South, the Northwoods of Maine, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or the misty valleys of the Pacific Northwest, smart planting decisions now can set the stage for healthier wildlife populations and better hunting seasons ahead.
Is Tennessee the New Frontier?
Tennessee has become a top destination for movers in recent years, consistently ranking among the top five states for in-migration. In 2024, it was ranked fifth in U-Haul’s Growth Index, marking its fifth consecutive year in the top 10 . Several factors contribute to this trend..
Planning Your Garden: A Guide to Smart Planting
A well-planned home garden can provide fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and a peaceful retreat right in your backyard. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, having a strategy before planting ensures a thriving and productive space. Here are some essential tips to help you plan your home garden, including smart companion planting techniques to maximize growth and yield.
What’s eating you? After reading this, it won’t be bugs!
When land managers and land real estate agents explore a client's property, they often encounter dense, lush woods teeming with wildlife and insects. Our professionals, well-versed in protecting themselves from pests like mosquitos and ticks, which can potentially carry various diseases, are a reliable source of information
Battling Invasive Species: Effective Strategies for Management in Forests
Invasive species pose a significant threat to forest ecosystems nationwide, competing with native flora for vital resources. While some invasive species may appear benign, many cause substantial damage, necessitating proactive management strategies.
Trina Anderson Receives Elite Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) Designation
The REALTORS® Land Institute proudly announced that Trina Anderson, Lake States Real Estate Manager, AFM Real Estate of Houghton, MI, has officially joined the ranks of those holding the elite Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) Designation on May 23, 2024.
Brandon DuRant Earns Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®)!
Brandon DuRant, AFM, American Forest Management, Inc, Sumter, SC, has been awarded the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®).
Spring Planting: A Comprehensive Guide for Maximum Yields
As the winter frost thaws and spring settles in, farmers across the country are gearing up for one of the most critical periods of the agricultural calendar: planting season. It’s a time of careful planning, meticulous preparation, and decisive action. To ensure a bountiful harvest in the months to come, farmers must execute a series of essential steps. As such, AFM Ag Services created a comprehensive guide for planting season success.
Beware of Mail Offers for Your Property
Chris Miller, Director of Real Estate Services, noticed he was receiving a number of mail offers for his property in South Carolina. As a real estate and forestry expert, Chris is able to sift through the offers and determine the quality of the purchase agreement. It helps to have a trusted advisor who understands the value and terms of a mail offer, so Chris collaborated on this blog post to share with landowners who receive letters like these so they can make informed decisions about their land.
Eric Gage, ALC Recognized as the 2023 RLI APEX National Broker of the Year in Timber Land Sales
Eric Gage, ALC, with AFM Real Estate in Lufkin, TX, has been recognized as the APEX 2023 National Broker of the Year in Timber Land Sales by the REALTORS® Land Institute as a part of the RLI APEX Production Awards Program, sponsored by The Land Report
American Forest Management, Inc. and Northwest Forest Properties Celebrate a Successful Merger
September 14, 2022 - AFM Real Estate, a subsidiary of American Forest Management, Inc., has acquired Northwest (NW) Forest Properties, a Forest Land Sales and Acquisitions firm based in Eugene, Oregon. NW Forest Properties was established in 2012 by husband and wife, Fred and Jean Sperry. Mr. and Mrs. Sperry belie...
What is a 1031 Tax Exchange?
September 7, 2022 - What is a 1031 Tax Exchange? According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a 1031 exchange gets its name from Section 1031 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Simply put, a 1031 exchange is a tax deferral. However, it doesn’t mean tax-free. This may seem confusing, but the staff at AFM Real...
5 Ways to Make Money on Your Investment
September 6, 2022 - If you're a new owner of land real estate, it can be challenging to navigate this unfamiliar terrain. At American Forest Management/AFM Real Estate, we understand that our clients need to produce a return from the investments they make in their property. Below are five ways to make money in land inv...
Land Real Estate and High Inflation
July 1, 2022 - Inflation is a common term we are all hearing and experiencing in our everyday lives currently. Inflation is defined as a general increase in prices resulting in a fall in the purchase value of money. We are seeing this with food prices rising 10% over the past year, energy prices have r...
AFM Real Estate is Pleased to Announce Mark Edwards is a Licensed Real Estate Agent in Georgia
April 7, 2022 - At AFM Real Estate (AFMRE), we take your land sale personally. You can count on us to stay by your side until you get the most from your sale. We'd like to introduce you to our newest agent who represents buyers and sellers in Georgia. Mark Edwards joined American Forest Management in 2...
AFM Real Estate is Pleased to Announce Steve MacDonald is a Licensed Real Estate Agent in Maine
January 10, 2022 - At AFM Real Estate (AFMRE), we take your land sale personally. You can count on us to stay by your side until you get the most from your sale. We'd like to introduce you to our newest agent who represents buyers and sellers in Maine. Since 2006, Steve MacDonald has been serving woodlot...
AFM Real Estate is Pleased to Announce Cathie Rolf Has Joined Its Team in Texas as a Land Specialist
November 3, 2021 - At AFM Real Estate (AFMRE), we take your land sale personally. You can count on us to stay by your side until you get the most from your sale. We'd like to introduce you to our newest agent who represents buyers and sellers in Texas. Cathie Rolf is a Texas licensed real estate agent and...
AFM Real Estate is Pleased to Announce Alex Brown Has Joined Its Team in Virginia as a Land Specialist
August 18, 2021 - At AFM Real Estate (AFMRE), we take your land sale personally. You can count on us to stay by your side until you get the most from your sale. We'd like to introduce you to our newest agent who represents buyers and sellers in Virginia. Alex Brown is a licensed real estate agent in...
AFM Real Estate is Pleased to Announce Rob Ball and Kenneth Chesson Have Joined Its Team in Virginia and North Carolina
June 3, 2021 - At AFM Real Estate, we take your land sale personally. You can count on us to stay by your side until you get the most from your sale. We'd like to introduce you to our newest agent who represents buyers and sellers in Virginia and North Carolina. Rob Ball is a licensed real estate agen...
AFM Real Estate is Pleased to Announce Spencer Burke Has Joined Its Team in Texas
April 23, 2021 - At AFM Real Estate, we take your land sale personally. You can count on us to stay by your side until you get the most from your sale. We'd like to introduce you to our newest agent who represents buyers and sellers in Texas. Spencer Burke has 25 years of experience working with East Te...
AFM Real Estate is Pleased to Announce Joey DeGross and Monte Bartek Have Joined Its Team in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas
November 20, 2020 - At AFM Real Estate, we take your land sale personally. You can count on us to stay by your side until you get the most from your sale. We'd like to introduce you to our newest agents who represent buyers and sellers in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Joey DeGross is a proud veteran of the...
Christopher N. Singleton Awarded CCIM Designation Aug. 20, 2020, in Charlotte, NC
September 1, 2020 - Christopher N. Singleton, MAI, CCIM, Manager, Disposition Services for American Forest Management, Inc. (AFM) located in Sumter, SC, recently received the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute. The designation was awarded during this year’s special summer CC...