My Journey Selling Mineral Rights: Questions I Wish I'd Asked Sooner

A firsthand account from Sarah M., who recently sold her inherited mineral rights in Texas

When I inherited 40 acres of mineral rights from my grandfather last year, I had no idea what I was getting into. Like most people, I'd never dealt with anything like this before. The whole process felt overwhelming, and I had so many questions swirling in my mind. Looking back now, after successfully completing the sale, I wanted to share the questions that kept me up at night – and the answers that finally gave me peace of mind.

"How Do I Even Know What These Rights Are Worth?"

This was my biggest concern from day one. I kept thinking, "What if I'm sitting on a goldmine and don't even know it?" The uncertainty was killing me.

I learned that getting a proper valuation isn't just about looking up comparable sales online. The buyer I worked with provided a detailed evaluation at no cost, explaining that the value depends on so many factors: the geology of the area, current production rates, commodity prices, and even the specific lease terms if there's already production happening.

"How Do I Know I'm Not Getting Scammed?"

The mineral rights industry definitely has its share of bad actors, and I was terrified of being taken advantage of. Fortunately, the buyer I chose made this easy by being completely transparent from day one.

They provided references from recent sellers I could actually call, showed me their licensing and credentials upfront, and insisted I have their contract reviewed by an attorney – they even recommended a few lawyers who specialize in mineral rights. They had been in business for over 15 years with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, and when I looked them up online, I found nothing but positive reviews from other sellers.

What really stood out was that they never asked for any upfront fees and handled all the title research and due diligence at their own expense. They made the entire process transparent and stress-free.

"Will I Have Ongoing Headaches and Paperwork?"

One thing I hadn't considered was how much ongoing management was involved with keeping the mineral rights. Between tracking royalty payments, dealing with lease modifications, staying on top of operator changes, and managing all the paperwork – it was becoming a part-time job I didn't want.

The buyer I worked with understood this completely. They explained that by selling, I'd eliminate all the ongoing administrative burden and uncertainty. No more quarterly statements to track, no more calls from landmen, no more wondering if I was getting paid correctly. It was incredibly freeing to know I could just close this chapter and move forward with certainty.

"Should I Sell All My Rights or Keep Some?"

This was a tough decision. Part of me wanted to hedge my bets and keep a portion, but I ultimately decided to sell everything. My reasoning was simple: I wanted to eliminate the ongoing complexity and uncertainty from my life.

Some sellers do partial sales, but I learned that this can complicate future transactions and record-keeping. For my situation, a clean break made the most sense.

"How Long Will This Process Actually Take?"

I was surprised to learn that selling mineral rights isn't a quick process, but my buyer managed everything efficiently. From initial contact to closing, it took about 1 month, but they handled all the heavy lifting including:

• Title research and verification

• Property appraisal and valuation

• Contract preparation

• Coordinating with attorneys and other professionals

• All closing preparations

All I had to do was gather a few documents and sign papers when needed. They kept me informed every step of the way and made what could have been a complex process remarkably smooth.

My Final Thoughts

Selling my mineral rights was one of the biggest financial decisions I've ever made, but I'm confident it was the right choice for my family. The key was finding the right buyer from the start – someone I could trust to be fair and honest throughout the process.

If you're in a similar situation, don't overthink it or make it more complicated than it needs to be. When you find a reputable buyer who treats you with respect and makes you a fair offer, move forward with confidence. The peace of mind I have now – knowing my daughter's college is funded and we have a solid emergency fund – is worth more to me than any potential future royalties could have been.

Sarah M. sold her mineral rights in October 2024. She currently works as a school administrator in Houston and enjoys spending time with her family without worrying about fluctuating oil prices.

What are your questions about selling mineral rights? Put them to get answered in the comment section.