Regulations last checked for updates: Oct 31, 2024

Title 7 - Agriculture last revised: Oct 25, 2024
§ 767.151 - General requirements.

Subject to § 767.152, the Agency will attempt to sell its inventory property as follows:

(a) The Agency will combine or divide inventory property, as appropriate, to maximize the opportunity for beginning farmers or socially disadvantaged farmersto purchase real property.

(b) The Agency will advertise all real estate inventory property that can be used for any authorized FO loan purpose for sale to beginning farmers or socially disadvantaged farmers no later than 15 days after the Agency obtains title to the property.

(c) If more than one eligible beginning farmer or socially disadvantaged farmer applies, the Agency will select a purchaser by a random selection process open to the public.

(1) All applicants will be advised of the time and place of the selection.

(2) All drawn offers will be numbered.

(3) Offers drawn after the first will be held in suspense pending sale to the successful applicant.

(4) Random selection is final and not subject to administrative appeal.

(d) If there are no offers from beginning farmers or socially disadvantaged farmers, the Agency will sell inventory property by auction or sealed bid to the general public no later than 165 days after the Agency obtains title to the property. All bidders will be required to submit a 10 percent deposit with their bid.

(e) If the Agency receives no acceptable bid through an auction or sealed bid, the Agency will attempt to sell the property through a negotiated sale at the best obtainable price.

(f) If the Agency is not able to sell the property through negotiated sale, the Agency may list the property with a real estate broker. The broker must be properly licensed in the State in which the property is located.

[72 FR 63358, Nov. 8, 2007, as amended at 73 FR 74345, Dec. 8, 2008]
§ 767.152 - Exceptions.

The Agency's disposition procedure under § 767.151 is subject to the following:

(a) If the Agency leases real estate inventory property to a beginning farmer or socially disadvantaged farmer in accordance with § 767.101(a)(2), and the lease expires, the Agency will not advertise the property if the Agency has direct or guaranteed loan funds available to finance the transaction.

(b) The Agency will not advertise a property for sale until the homestead protection rights have terminated in accordance with part 766, subpart D of this chapter.

(c) The Agency may allow an additional 60 days if needed for conservation easements or environmental reviews.

(d) If the property was owned by an American Indian borrower and is located on an Indian reservation, the Agency will:

(1) No later than 90 days after acquiring the property, offer the opportunity to purchase or lease the property in accordance with:

(i) The priorities established by the Indian Tribe having jurisdiction over the Indian reservation;

(ii) In cases where priorities have not been established, the following order:

(A) A member of the Indian Tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian reservation;

(B) An Indian entity;

(C) The Indian Tribe.

(2) Transfer the property to the Secretary of the Interior if the property is not purchased or leased under paragraph (1) of this section.

(e) If Agency analysis of farm real estate market conditions indicates the sale of the Agency's inventory property will have a negative effect on the value of farms in the area, the Agency may withhold inventory farm properties in the affected area from the market until further analysis indicates otherwise.

[72 FR 63358, Nov. 8, 2007, as amended at 73 FR 74345, Dec. 8, 2008]
§ 767.153 - Sale of real estate inventory property.

(a) Pricing. (1) The Agency will advertise property for sale at its market value, as established by an appraisal obtained in accordance with § 761.7.

(2) Property sold by auction or sealed bid will be sold for the best obtainable price. The Agency reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

(b) Agency-financed sales. The Agency may finance sales to purchasers if:

(1) The Agency has direct or guaranteed FO loan funds available;

(2) All applicable loan making requirements are met; and

(3) All purchasers who are not beginning farmers or socially disadvantaged farmers make a 10 percent down payment.

(c) Taxes and assessments. (1) Property taxes and assessments will be prorated between the Agency and the purchaser based on the date the Agency conveys title to the purchaser.

(2) The purchaser is responsible for paying all taxes and assessments after the Agency conveys title to the purchaser.

(d) Loss or damage to property. If, through no fault of either party, the property is lost or damaged as a result of fire, vandalism, or act of God before the Agency conveys the property, the Agency may reappraise the property and set the sale price accordingly.

(e) Termination of contract. Either party may terminate the sales contract. If the contract is terminated by the Agency, the Agency returns any deposit to the bidder. If the contract is terminated by the purchaser, any deposit will be retained by the Agency as full liquidated damages, except where failure to close is due to Agency non-approval of credit.

(f) Warranty on title. The Agency will not provide any warranty on the title or on the condition of the property.

[72 FR 63358, Nov. 8, 2007, as amended at 73 FR 74345, Dec. 8, 2008]
§ 767.154 - Conveying easements, rights-of-way, and other interests in inventory property.

(a) Appraisal of real property and real property interests. The Agency will determine the value of real property and real property interests being transferred in accordance with § 761.7 of this chapter.

(b) Easements and rights-of-way on inventory property. (1) The Agency may grant or sell an easement or right-of-way for roads, utilities, and other appurtenances if the conveyance is in the public interest and does not adversely affect the value of the real property.

(2) The Agency may sell an easement or right-of-way by negotiation for market value to any purchaser for cash without giving public notice if:

(i) The sale would not prevent the Agency from selling the property; and

(ii) The sale would not decrease the value of the property by an amount greater than the price received.

(3) In the case of condemnation proceedings by a State or political subdivision, the transfer of title will not be completed until adequate compensation and damages have been determined and paid.

(c) Disposal of other interests in inventory property. (1) If applicable, the Agency will sell mineral and water rights, mineral lease interests, mineral royalty interests, air rights, and agricultural and other lease interests with the surface land except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

(2) If the Agency sells the land in separate parcels, any rights or interests that apply to each parcel are included with the sale.

(3) The Agency will assign lease or royalty interests not passing by deed to the purchaser at the time of sale.

(4) Appraisals of property will reflect the value of such rights, interests, or leases.

§ 767.155 - Selling chattel property.

(a) Method of sale. (1) The Agency will use sealed bid or established public auctions for selling chattel. The Agency does not require public notice of sale in addition to the notice commonly used by the auction facility.

(2) The Agency may sell chattel inventory property, including fixtures, concurrently with real estate inventory property if, by doing so, the Agency can obtain a higher aggregate price. The Agency may accept an offer for chattel based upon the combined final sales price of both the chattel and real estate.

(b) Agency-financed sales. The Agency may finance the purchase of chattel inventory property if the Agency has direct or guaranteed OL loan funds available and all applicable loan making requirements are met.

§§ 767.156-767.200 - §[Reserved]
authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 and 7 U.S.C. 1989.
source: 72 FR 63358, Nov. 8, 2007, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 7 CFR 767.154