Owning land along a busy road or intersection in Indianapolis might sound like hitting the jackpot. After all, high-traffic sites are prime real estate for billboards, retail development, gas stations, and quick-service restaurants.
But for many property owners, the reality is a lot more complicated. Between zoning restrictions, fluctuating advertising demand, and ongoing costs like property taxes and liability insurance, high-traffic sites often become more of a headache than an asset.
At Indianapolis Land Buyers, we work with landowners across Central Indiana who decide it’s finally time to sell their billboard sites, corner lots, or roadside acreage. In this post, we’ll break down the most common reasons people choose to sell — and what to expect if you’re weighing the same decision.
1. The Promise vs. Reality of Billboard Income
Billboards are often marketed as “passive income” opportunities — you lease space to an advertising company and collect steady monthly checks.
But here’s what most landowners quickly find out:
- Not every high-traffic site is in demand. If your land isn’t in a prime advertising corridor, securing a tenant can be difficult.
- Leases aren’t guaranteed forever. Advertising companies can walk away if traffic patterns shift, nearby construction changes sightlines, or digital billboards replace older models.
- Maintenance & liability risks fall back on the landowner. Even if a billboard company installs the structure, accidents, storm damage, or lawsuits can still tie you up financially.
What looked like a guaranteed long-term revenue stream sometimes turns into years of vacancy and unexpected costs.
2. Property Taxes That Never Go Away
Whether your high-traffic site has a billboard on it or not, the county will always collect property taxes.
For smaller lots that don’t generate much income, taxes can quickly eat away at any profit you hoped to earn. We often work with owners who’ve been paying taxes on a roadside acre or corner lot for 10, 15, even 20 years — only to realize they’ve spent far more in taxes than they ever made in income.
3. Zoning and Legal Restrictions
Another big hurdle with billboard and roadside properties is zoning.
In Indianapolis and surrounding counties:
- Some zones completely ban new billboards.
- Others require a special permit process that can take months (and isn’t guaranteed).
- Road expansions or city planning projects can make a site useless overnight.
If you’re holding onto land hoping it will one day “unlock” in value, be aware that zoning changes and city planning often work in the opposite direction — reducing what you can legally do with your land.
4. The Development Gamble
Many owners of high-traffic land hope a developer will come knocking with a big offer. And yes, in some cases, that does happen — especially near growing suburbs or highway exits.
But here’s the catch:
- Developers are extremely picky about site layout, access points, and surrounding traffic.
- If your land doesn’t check every box, it may sit untouched for years.
- Holding costs keep piling up while you wait.
At Indianapolis Land Buyers, we often see landowners who’ve been “waiting for the right developer” for decades — only to sell at a fraction of what they imagined, simply because the property never matched up with actual demand.
5. Liability Risks That Nobody Talks About
A lesser-known reason people sell billboard or roadside sites is liability.
Think about it:
- What happens if someone crashes on your property?
- What if storm damage causes a billboard structure to collapse?
- What if a tenant skips out and leaves the land in poor condition?
As the property owner, you’re on the hook. Liability insurance can help, but it’s an added cost — and in some cases, the risk isn’t worth the headache.
6. Cashing Out vs. Waiting It Out
The biggest question landowners face is simple:
Should I keep paying for a property that might pay off someday, or sell it now for guaranteed cash?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But here’s the way many of our clients look at it:
- Selling puts cash in your pocket today instead of tying it up in a property you may never develop.
- You remove the stress of property taxes, upkeep, and liability.
- You can reinvest that money into something that actually produces steady returns — whether that’s real estate, stocks, or your own business.
7. How Indianapolis Land Buyers Can Help
If you own a billboard site, high-traffic roadside parcel, or corner lot in Indianapolis or the surrounding area, we can make you a fair, no-obligation cash offer.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- We buy as-is — no need to remove billboards or structures.
- We handle the closing process quickly (often within 30 days).
- We can joint venture with developers if that’s the best way to maximize value.
- No hidden fees. No commissions. No waiting around.
Real Example: A Billboard Lot That Became a Burden
One of our recent sellers owned a small parcel along a state highway with a traditional billboard. For years, they collected a modest monthly income from an ad company. But when the company switched to digital boards, they canceled the lease — leaving the owner with nothing but taxes, liability, and a rusty structure.
Within 60 days, we helped them sell the land for cash, remove the stress, and redirect their money into something that worked better for their family.
Final Thoughts
Billboard and high-traffic land sounds valuable on paper, but in reality, it often comes with more challenges than rewards. If you’re tired of paying taxes, worrying about liability, or waiting for a developer who never shows up, selling may be the smarter move.
At Indianapolis Land Buyers, we make it simple. We’ll evaluate your site, walk you through your options, and make you a fair cash offer.
📞 Call us today at (317) 397-0333
📧 Or email info@indianapolislandbuyers.com
Stop paying for land that isn’t paying you back. Let’s find out what your billboard or roadside property is really worth today.