There are several ways to sell mineral rights. Here's an honest comparison of each approach—including the one we use—so you can choose what's best for your situation.
When selling mineral rights, you generally have three approaches:
Direct buyer: A company that purchases minerals directly with their own capital
Auction/Marketplace: A platform where multiple buyers bid on your minerals
Broker: An intermediary who finds buyers and negotiates on your behalf
Each has tradeoffs. The "best" option depends on your priorities: speed, price, simplicity, or certainty.
A direct buyer is a company that purchases mineral rights using their own funds. They make offers directly to mineral owners, handle due diligence internally, and close transactions without intermediaries.
No commissions or fees
Faster process (2-4 weeks typical)
Single point of contact
Certainty of close
Simpler transaction
Single offer (no competitive bidding)
Need to verify buyer legitimacy
May need multiple quotes to compare
Disclosure: Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer. We believe this model benefits sellers by eliminating middleman fees and providing faster, simpler transactions. But we encourage you to compare options.
Online mineral auctions let you list your minerals for competitive bidding. Multiple buyers can bid, potentially driving up the price. Some marketplaces also facilitate private sales.
Competitive bidding may increase price
Market-driven pricing
Multiple potential buyers
Transparency in process
Fees typically 5-15% of sale price
Longer timeline (weeks to months)
No guarantee of bids meeting reserve
More paperwork and steps
Bids can fall through post-auction
Best for: Large, high-value mineral packages where competitive bidding could significantly impact price. Less advantageous for smaller interests where fees eat into proceeds.
A mineral broker acts as your representative to find buyers and negotiate on your behalf. They typically work on commission, earning a percentage of the sale price.
Expert handles the process
Access to buyer network
Negotiation expertise
Good for complex situations
High commissions (10-20% typical)
Longer timeline (months)
Quality varies widely
May have exclusive contract
Less control over process
Watch for: Exclusive listing agreements that lock you in. Make sure you understand the commission structure and what happens if you find your own buyer.
| Factor | Direct Buyer | Auction | Broker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees | None | 5-15% | 10-20% |
| Timeline | 2-4 weeks | 4-12 weeks | 2-6 months |
| Certainty | High | Medium | Medium |
| Competition | Single offer | Multiple bidders | Varies |
| Complexity | Simple | Moderate | Varies |
| Best For | Quick, simple transactions | Large, high-value packages | Complex situations |
Consider a direct buyer if:
You want a fast, simple transaction
You prefer certainty over potentially higher bids
You want to avoid commission fees
You're comfortable getting multiple quotes to compare
Consider an auction if:
You have a large, high-value mineral package
You have time to wait for the process
Competitive bidding could significantly impact value
Consider a broker if:
You have a complex ownership situation
You don't want to manage the process yourself
You have very large holdings requiring extensive marketing
We chose the direct buyer model because we believe it serves most mineral owners best:
No fees: You keep 100% of the purchase price
Speed: Most transactions close in 2-4 weeks
Simplicity: One company, one contact, one transaction
Certainty: When we make an offer, we can close
That said, we encourage you to compare. Get quotes from multiple buyers. If an auction or broker makes sense for your situation, pursue that option. We'd rather you make the best decision for yourself than feel pressured into any particular approach.
See what a direct buyer would pay for your minerals. No fees, no pressure, no exclusive agreements. Compare our offer to any other option.
Get Your Free EvaluationOr call us at (404) 604-6364