--- title: Negotiating Development Land Transactions During COVID-19 description: These are uncertain times and COVID 19 has impacted all deal sectors. Buying and selling of development land has not been spared from this uncertainty. image: https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hubfs/40147364_s.jpg --- [![Goosman Lawfirm](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Goosmannlaw%20October2017/images/Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png?width=1250&name=Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png "Goosman Lawfirm")](http://goosmannlaw.com/) - [COVID-19 Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - Our Team - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/attorneys/) - [Non-Attorney Staff](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/non-attorney-staff/) - Practices & Industries - [Practices](https://goosmannlaw.com/practices/) - [Banking & Finance](https://goosmannlaw.com/banking-finance/) - [Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Workouts](https://goosmannlaw.com/bankruptcy-restructuring-workouts/) - [Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/business/) - [Divorce & Family Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/divorce-family-law/) - [Employment](https://goosmannlaw.com/employment-law/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-safety/) - [Estate Planning](https://trustlawcounsel.com) - [Gestational Surrogacy & Adoption](https://goosmannlaw.com/gestational-surrogacy-adoption/) - [International Law](http://goosmannlaw.com/international-law/) - [Litigation / Trial Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/litigation-trial-law/) - [Local Counsel](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/local-counsel/) - [Mergers & Acquisitions](https://goosmannlaw.com/mergers-acquisitions/) - [Rapid Response](https://goosmannlaw.com/rapid-response/) - [Industries](https://goosmannlaw.com/industries/) - [Agribusiness & Cooperatives](https://goosmannlaw.com/agribusiness-cooperatives/) - [Construction](https://goosmannlaw.com/construction/) - [Cyber Law and Telecommunications](https://goosmannlaw.com/cyber-law/) - [Education](https://goosmannlaw.com/education/) - [Health Care](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-care/) - [Manufacturing](https://goosmannlaw.com/manufacturing-law/) - [Multifamily Housing](https://goosmannlaw.com/multifamily-housing-law/) - [Non-Profit & Tax Exempt Organizations](https://goosmannlaw.com/non-profit-law/) - [Real Estate](https://goosmannlaw.com/real-estate/) - [Transportation](https://goosmannlaw.com/transportation/) - [Tribal](https://goosmannlaw.com/tribal/) - Our Firm - [Firm News](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/firm-news) - Careers - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/attorneys/) - [Administration](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/administration/) - [Internships](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/internships/) - [Client Testimonials and Results](https://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/client-testimonials-and-results/) - [Culture, Diversity, and Community](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/culture-diversity-and-community/) - [Women-Owned Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/women-owned-business/) - [Associations & Memberships](https://goosmannlaw.com/associations-memberships/) - [Firm History](https://goosmannlaw.com/firm-history/) - Blogs - [CEO Law Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/ceo-on-your-side) - [Construction Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/construction-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Cyber Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/cyber-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Deal Maker](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side) - [Divorce Docket](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/divorce-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Food for Thought](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/agricultural-lawyer-on-your-side) - [HR Legal Insider](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/human-resources-on-your-side) - [Law Doc](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/health-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Paralegal Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/paralegal-review/) - [Real Estate Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/real-estate-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Risky Business](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side) - [The Banker’s Suit](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/banking-lawyer-on-you-side) - [Trial Law Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side) - [Trust Law Counsel](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side) - Resources - [COVID-19 Resource Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - [Podcast](http://podcast.goosmannlaw.com/) - [Videos](https://goosmannlaw.com/videos/) - [FREE eBooks & Tools](https://goosmannlaw.com/free-ebooks-tools/) - Contact Us - [Office Locations](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/) - [Sioux City Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/sioux-city-law-firm/) - [Sioux Falls Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/sioux-falls-law-firm/) - [Omaha Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/omaha-law-firm/) - [Spirit Lake & Spencer Law Firms](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/spirit-lake-and-spencer-law-firm/) - [Real Estate Closings Office](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/real-estate-closing-office/) - [Submit a Testimonial](https://goosmannlaw.com/submit-a-testimonial/) - [Sign Up for Our Newsletter](https://goosmannlaw.com/sign-up-for-our-newsletter/) - [Pay Online](https://goosmannlaw.com/pay-online-3/) - [  (855) 843-4531](tel:855-843-4531) ![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Lockbox%20Lawyer/close-button.png) [tel:855-THE-GLF1](tel:855-THE-GLF1) [COVID-19](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/covid-19) # [Negotiating Development Land Transactions During COVID-19](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/negotiating-development-land-transactions-during-covid-19) By [Andrew W. Simpson](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/author/andrew-w-simpson)   |  10, June 2020 [READ NOW](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/negotiating-development-land-transactions-during-covid-19) [Read Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/negotiating-development-land-transactions-during-covid-19#article) [![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Andy%20Simpson%20Headshot_Cropped%2072dpi.jpg?width=60&name=Andy%20Simpson%20Headshot_Cropped%2072dpi.jpg)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/author/andrew-w-simpson) [Andrew W. Simpson](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/author/andrew-w-simpson)  Tags: [COVID-19](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/covid-19) ## These are uncertain times and COVID 19 has impacted all deal sectors. The buying and selling of development land has not been spared from this uncertainty.  Land development transactions often take years to close. Due diligence in these deals is centered around environmental testing, surveying, market analysis, and most importantly obtaining the necessary entitlements to the land from the local governing body so the land is fit for the development purposes. Given this extended time frame many deals where well along the way when COVID 19 hit and it had an impact on all sides of the deal. The developer/buyers have had to analyze their internal business structure to determine if they have the financial ability to close on time. They then have to attempt to analyze the market to forecast what the demand for that development will be given COVID 19 impacts. This uncertainty has caused many developer/buyers to attempt to renegotiate any existing contracts on many fronts; pushing closing dates, decreasing purchase price, reducing build-able acres and alike. Particularly those contracts that are still in due diligence.   ## Agricultural Production  Often development ground sellers are using the ground for agricultural production, farmers. They have entered into contracts to sell their farm ground to developers and have been planning on closings occurring at a certain time. As a result of  the COVID 19 impact to  the developer buyers strategies, the seller/farmers are put  in a position of not knowing if the sale will occur, if they can farm the ground this crop season and in many cases how these renegotiation's will impact their 1031 exchange options.   ## The governing bodies are the last players in these deals and they too are not immune from the impacts of COVID 19. Their budgets and income have been hit as well and they often are taking a very conservative approach to any new projects. In many instances they have negotiated with the buyer developer for certain concessions in the entitlement agreements that the developer/buyers relied on when first analyzing the deal, concessions and understandings that are now uncertain. As with many other deal sectors COVID 19 has caused uncertainty on all sides of development land deals. If all parties continue to keep open lines of communication, stay positive, stay determined, and most importantly get creative these deals can and should hold together through these trying times. [Goosmann Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/) is here to guide you through this uncertain time. [![CONTACT US](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/489404/60d77596-fa6c-4cb1-a3bf-b2fb87ab9210.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/489404/60d77596-fa6c-4cb1-a3bf-b2fb87ab9210) ### Select Different CTA for each Post from Blog Editor [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/489404/a8cefc17-3b9d-4de0-89cd-e60a64752422.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/489404/a8cefc17-3b9d-4de0-89cd-e60a64752422) ### Subscribe Our Blog Thanks for submission!! - Recent - Popular ### Posts by Topic - [Deal Maker (28)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/deal-maker) - [Business Law (5)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/business-law) - [Mergers and Aquisitions (5)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/mergers-and-aquisitions) - [Business Divorce (4)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/business-divorce) - [Buy-Sell (3)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/buy-sell) - [COVID-19 (3)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/covid-19) - [Business Planning (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/business-planning) - [Estate Planning (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/estate-planning) - [Fertility (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/fertility) - [Letter of Intent (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/letter-of-intent) - [Operating Agreements (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/operating-agreements) - [Trust Planning (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/trust-planning) - [business owner (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/business-owner) - [business prenup, (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/business-prenup) - [Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Law (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/adoption-assisted-reproduction-law) - [Business Service Division (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/business-service-division) - [Buying a Business (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/buying-a-business) - [Construction Contracts (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/construction-contracts) - [Construction Law (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/construction-law) - [Corporate Law (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/corporate-law) - [Dead End (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/dead-end) - [Deal Gone Bad (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/deal-gone-bad) - [Family Business (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/family-business) - [Fixed Rates vs. Costs Plus (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/fixed-rates-vs-costs-plus) - [Franchise (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/franchise) - [Joint Venture (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/joint-venture) - [Landlord (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/landlord) - [Medical Practices (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/medical-practices) - [Professional Corporation (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/professional-corporation) - [Real Estate (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/real-estate) - [Separate Legal Entity (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/separate-legal-entity) - [Small Business Owner (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/small-business-owner) - [Tenant (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/tenant) - [WOSB (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/wosb) - [business partnership (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/business-partnership) - [commercial real estate (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/commercial-real-estate) - [exit strategy (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/exit-strategy) - [hiring (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/hiring) - [small business (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/topic/small-business) DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. By visiting this website, blog, or post you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Goosmann Law Firm attorneys and website publisher. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Goosmann Law Firm, PLC, or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction. #### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. Put your Comment Below. [Previous Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/tips-for-compliance-with-ppp) ##### [Tips For Compliance With PPP](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/tips-for-compliance-with-ppp) [Next Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/asset-purchase-or-stock-purchase-what-is-the-difference) ##### [Asset Purchase or Stock Purchase—What is the Difference?](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side/asset-purchase-or-stock-purchase-what-is-the-difference) ### Contact Info **Sioux City Location** P. 712-226-4000 F. (712) 224-4517 **Sioux Falls Location** P. (605) 371-2000 F. (605) 275-2039 **Omaha Location** P. (402) 280-7648 F. (402) 505-3967 --- [Disclaimer](http://goosmannlaw.com/list-all-blogs/disclaimer/) | [Privacy Policy](http://goosmannlaw.com/privacy-policy/) ### Locations **Sioux City Location** 410 5th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 **Sioux Falls Location** 5010 S. Minnesota Avenue, Suite 100 Sioux Falls, SD 57108 **Omaha Location** Advent Building 17838 Burke Street, Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68118 ![Goosmann](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Lockbox%20Lawyer/goosmann-white.png?width=250&name=goosmann-white.png "Goosmann") Goosmann Law Firm is a FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM with locations in Sioux City, Iowa, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Omaha, Nebraska. Goosmann Law attorneys are licensed to practice in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Their attorney team's practices and industries include but are not limited to Agribusiness and Cooperatives, Banking and Finance, Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Workouts, Business, Construction, Cyber Law and Telecommunications, Divorce and Family Law, Education, Employment, Environmental Health and Safety, Gestational Surrogacy and Adoption, Health Care, Litigation and Trial Law, Manufacturing, Mergers and Acquisitions, Municipal, Nonprofit and Tax Exempt Organizations, Real Estate, and Transportation, Tribal, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate Law. Goosmann © Copyright 2017