These are recommendations from a quick text from my Dad:
Don't be too greedy but don't agree to initial offer. EVERYTHING is negotiable. You can expect for them to pay slightly more than what the property is actually worth if you would sale it outright.
You can't stop them from getting the ROW so your focus should be on getting the most money you can and making sure the contract favors your interests and looks out for you rather than protecting the pipeline company.
You want to avoid going to court!
I have spoken to several people who tried to fight it and went to court. After spending who knows how much on lawyers the judge always favors with the pipeline company and usually gives you less money for the property than what you could have negotiated with them.
Get some money for the temporary construction ROW and some for the permanent ROW. (This may be specific to my dad's situation because they used his property as a "construction area" where they welded the joints of pipe together and set up the boring equipment).
Try to get the pipeline company to document some of the money they pay you down as "damages" rather than an actual payment for the property. This will help you with taxes.
If you feel confident with reading and understanding pretty basic contracts don't get a lawyer. It is a waste of money and not really necessary. (Of course this is just an opinion).
Talk to neighbors or anyone you know that has property on the ROW to see how much the pipeline company paid them for their land.
Also, you can find someone who recently sold land around you for top dollar and use that fact in negotiations. If someone just sold an acre for $25k in your area, even though that isn't the going rate you can use it as your example of what property is going for in your area and argue that is what your property is worth.
After reading through the contract carefully you may find a few (or many)mthings that heavily favor the pipeline company's interests.
As stated above EVERYTHING is negotiable and if you aren't comfortable with the way the contract is worded get them to change it. Things such as liability, upkeep of ROW, above the ground equipment, and future maintenance to the pipeline are good examples of what I am talking about.
****My dad is NOT a lawyer! He did all of his own research, got some recommendations from a lawyer, and then spent 6 months negotiating with the pipeline company. A year before this deal an electric transmission company came through with a highline through the same ROW so he did the negotiations for that deal too.
I am just sharing this info to try and help out. I am sure some wil disagree with something (or EVERYTHING) that I have said so please correct me if I am wrong.
Also, bottom line is if you don't feel comfortable doing the negotiation yourself then you probably should pay a lawyer to do it.
I hope this helps and Good Luck. Remember, the people who come offer you the check and negotiate with you work for the pipeline company. They are trying to get them the best deal possible and are not trying to look out for your best interests.
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