
Common Mineral Owner Questions and Answers in 2025
As a mineral owner, it’s not always easy to find clear, trustworthy information about your mineral rights. The industry is full of conflicting advice, and many owners don’t know where to turn for reliable answers.
At US Mineral Exchange, our goal is to change that. We provide accurate, easy-to-understand guidance that mineral owners can depend on—whether you’re new to mineral ownership or considering a sale.
After years of working with thousands of mineral owners, we’ve noticed the same questions come up again and again. To help you make confident decisions, we’ve compiled the most common questions and straightforward answers in one place.
Even if you don’t plan to sell your mineral rights, this guide is designed to help you better understand what you own—and what your options are.
Find the section below that matches your question and get the clarity you need.

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Garrett Phelan
CEO of US Mineral Exchange with over 27 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. For nearly two decades, he has helped individuals, families, trusts, and non-profits navigate the complexities of mineral and royalty rights to achieve the highest sale prices.
Widely recognized as an industry expert, with an unwavering commitment to a client-first philosophy and extensive industry knowledge, he has been featured in Hart Energy, Yahoo Finance, and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association magazine.
Most Common Questions
Many different factors influence the value of your mineral rights. Each plays a role in determining what your property is worth. Below are some of the most common factors that affect mineral rights value:
- State & County
- Location within the County
- Whether the property is producing royalties
- Whether the property is leased
- Oil and Gas Prices
- Surrounding Production
- Lease Terms
- Mineral Rights Buyers
The truth is, it’s nearly impossible to determine the exact value of mineral rights until they’re listed for sale. By putting your property in front of a large pool of qualified buyers, you allow the market to reveal its true worth. For more insight into what affects mineral rights value, explore the articles below:
The best way to maximize value is to create competition. By listing your mineral rights in front of a large network of qualified buyers, you encourage them to compete—driving up the price. This approach gives you multiple offers to compare, helping you choose the one that best meets your financial goals.
Accepting the first offer is the most common and costly mistake. Many owners fear missing out, but rushing often means leaving money on the table. By exposing your property to multiple buyers, you can generate stronger offers and avoid being underpaid. Never feel pressured to sell before you’re ready.
You have two options. First, you can try the shotgun approach—contacting buyers on your own and hoping one offers a fair price. This method is time-consuming, risky, and rarely leads to maximum value.
Second, you can work with US Mineral Exchange. We connect you with a large network of verified buyers who compete for your property—driving up the price and ensuring a smooth, secure transaction.
Want help? Fill out our free consultation form, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
Receiving an offer is a great sign—it means there’s demand for your property. Start by asking for the offer in writing. A reputable buyer will provide written terms and give you time to review.
Next, don’t stop there. Use that offer as a starting point. At US Mineral Exchange, we’ll list your property in front of a large network of verified buyers. In nearly every case, we secure offers that are significantly higher than what mineral owners receive on their own.
Want to find out if your offer is competitive? Fill out our free consultation form, and we’ll help you evaluate it with no pressure or obligation.
Mineral Rights Value
If you’re receiving monthly royalty checks, estimating value is much easier. As a general rule, producing mineral rights sell for 4 to 6 years of average monthly income.
However, if you’re getting offers well above that range, it’s a strong sign there may be new drilling or other activity on or near your property. We can help you understand exactly what’s happening and why buyers are interested.
When you list royalties for sale, multiple buyers compete—and that competition can drive the price much higher.
If you have specific questions about your property, we’re here to help. Fill out the free consultation form below, and our team will provide a detailed evaluation based on your situation.
We speak with mineral owners every day and can help you understand the value you can expect when selling minerals and royalties.
To get started, please include your last 3 months of royalty statements (if applicable), or a copy of your lease agreement and order for payment if your property is leased but not producing. If you do not have these items, reach out anyway.
Unlike real estate, there’s no “Zillow” for mineral rights. Sale prices are private, so there’s no public database to reference.
More importantly, comps don’t exist in this market. No two mineral properties are the same, and value depends on too many variables—production, location, operator, lease terms, and drilling potential.
The only way to find true market value is by putting your property in front of multiple qualified buyers and seeing what they’re willing to pay.
Valuing mineral rights isn’t easy, and here’s why:
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Location matters: Value varies by state, county, and even within specific sections. No estimate is accurate without precise location details.
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Oil and gas prices fluctuate: Market prices directly impact what buyers are willing to pay. A sudden drop can lower offers overnight.
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Timing affects demand: Drilling activity, production results, and geopolitical factors all influence buyer interest—and pricing.
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Buyers value properties differently: One buyer might offer $5,000 per acre, while another offers $8,000. You need broad exposure to find the best offer.
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No public pricing data: Unlike home sales, mineral rights transactions are private. There’s no database to reference.
Because of all these variables, comps and appraisals rarely work in this space. Your best option is to fill out the free consultation form below, and we’ll help you estimate value and explore how to sell for top dollar.
Short answer: Usually between $0 and $250 per acre—sometimes even less.
If your mineral rights are not producing and not under lease, most buyers won’t make strong offers. Without royalty income or active development, there’s little incentive to invest. Buyers may end up holding the asset for years—possibly decades—without any return.
At US Mineral Exchange, we generally don’t list non-producing, non-leased acreage unless one of the following applies:
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You have 250+ net mineral acres
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You have a recently expired lease
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You’ve received offers over $50,000
Not sure where your property stands? Contact us for a free consultation, and we’ll help you evaluate the potential value—or direct you to someone who can.
Selling Mineral Rights at US Mineral Exchange
Selling mineral rights with us is simple—but just like selling a home, presentation matters.
While the largest majority of the presentation work falls on us, there are certain key documents that only you can provide.
First, gather the key documents that we do not have access to that will help buyers evaluate your property. You can find a full list on our Required Documents to List page. Once you have those ready, contact us for a free consultation. If you’re missing some paperwork or not sure where to start, reach out anyway. We’ll help you track down what’s needed and guide you through the process from start to finish.
To sell your mineral rights for the highest possible value, you’ll need to provide documentation that proves ownership and helps buyers evaluate your property. The more detail you can share, the better your chances of receiving strong, competitive offers.
While exact requirements vary by situation, here’s a quick summary of what we typically need:
If You Receive Royalty Income:
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Revenue Statements – Full copies of your 3 most recent royalty revenue statements (not summaries). These must show well names, revenue interest, production volumes, and payment detail.
Tip: Contact your operator if you don’t have copies. -
Existing Offers – If you’ve received an offer, include the best one in writing.
If Your Property Is Leased but Not Producing:
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Lease Agreement – Full copy of your lease (all pages, including addenda). Expired leases or proposed leases are also acceptable.
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Order for Payment or Lease Bonus Proof – Any document that shows how much you were paid—such as a bank record, order for payment, or letter agreement.
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Existing Offers – Please include any written offers you’ve received.
Optional But Helpful:
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Mineral deed
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Division orders
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Prior year 1099s
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Property tax statements
Can’t locate all your documents? Contact us anyway. We’ll help you gather what you need and walk you through every step of the process.
Nothing.
There is no cost to list your property at US Mineral Exchange, and you will never owe us anything—whether your property sells or not.
We use a fixed, success-based commission that is paid by the buyer at closing. All offers we present are net to you, so the amount you see is exactly what you’ll receive if you accept.
Here’s how it works:
We’ll agree on a listing price with you, then add our 6% commission on top. Buyers see the total cost upfront. If we can’t bring you a better offer—after the buyer pays our 6% commission—you owe us nothing.
Our commission is fully transparent and clearly disclosed in every document throughout the process. No upfront fees. No obligation. Just results.
No. You’re never under any obligation to accept an offer.
Unless we bring you an offer you’re fully satisfied with, you’re free to decline. Listing your property at US Mineral Exchange is risk-free—you only sell if and when the right offer comes along.
Many mineral owners come to us with an offer already in hand. But accepting that first offer is often the biggest mistake you can make.
Why?
Because you’re likely leaving thousands of dollars on the table—and possibly exposing yourself to buyers who prey on uninformed sellers.
Before accepting anything, it’s critical to get your property in front of thousands of qualified buyers. Let them compete for your interest. You’d be surprised how much more your property may be worth when real buyers are bidding against each other.
Still have that offer? Great—use it as a starting point. We’ll help you find out if it’s truly the best you can get.
We require a 30-day listing period.
Why 30 days? Because serious buyers need time to evaluate your property, perform due diligence, and prepare competitive offers. Listings shorter than 30 days may not allow enough time for buyers to participate—and that can limit your final sale price.
Buyers trust US Mineral Exchange because they know our listings are from mineral owners who are committed to selling. That confidence leads to more interest, more competition, and higher offers for you.
In most cases, strong offers come in within the first few days but it can take a few weeks. Properties that remain listed longer typically do so because the starting bid is too high—not due to a lack of interest.
Absolutely. At US Mineral Exchange, your privacy is a top priority.
None of your information is ever made publicly available online. Only registered and pre-screened buyers can view your property details—and we manually review every single buyer to ensure they are reputable, qualified, and serious about purchasing mineral rights.
Your data stays secure, and your listing is always handled with professional discretion.
The selling process is simple—and we’re with you every step of the way.
For a full breakdown, please check out our detailed guide:
What to Expect After Listing
It walks you through the entire process from listing your property to closing the deal, so you know exactly what happens and when. If you have any questions along the way, our team is always here to help.
It depends on your specific property, but most listings start receiving offers within 1 to 3 weeks.
In high-demand areas, offers can come in as quickly as a few days. In other regions, it may take up to three weeks as buyers complete their evaluations.
The majority of properties listed through US Mineral Exchange are under contract within 30 days—especially when sellers don’t overprice their listing with a “dream number” far above market value.
Free Consultation
Whether you’re thinking about selling mineral rights, want to better understand their value, or have questions about ownership—we’re here to help.
At US Mineral Exchange, we’re industry experts with a proven track record of helping mineral owners maximize their sales value. We’ve guided thousands of clients through the process with clear advice, competitive bidding, and results that speak for themselves.
Simply fill out the free consultation form below. A member of our team will be in touch quickly to answer your questions and help you take the next step.
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Common Questions
The more information you can provide about your property the better! We can give you a better idea about the value of selling mineral rights if you provide more information. The most important thing we need is for you to answer the questions and provide your state and county.
If you have the required documents to list, providing those is extremely helpful!
Absolutely not! When you inquire at US Mineral Exchange we will not be putting any pressure on you to sell. We will help answer any questions you have whether you are interested in selling or not.
At US Mineral Exchange, we take privacy very seriously. We will NEVER sell your information or use it without your consent. When you send us documentation or tell us about your property, that information does not go outside our company without your consent. Even when you list a property for sale on our website, we strictly control who has access to the information about your listing so that only legitimate buyers will be able to see property details.
Many mineral owners make the mistake of getting an offer and quickly selling. They then accept an offer far below market value because they felt pressure to sell. There is nearly always a better price available.
Imagine you were selling a home. Would you get the best price from a random person who walks up and makes you an offer? No way! Now imagine you list the home on the MLS where thousands of potential buyers know your house is for sale. The key to getting the best price is competition. Our guide to selling mineral rights explains everything.
The reason that so many mineral owners decide to sell mineral rights at US Mineral Exchange is access to our large network of mineral rights buyers. Our goal is to help you get top dollar for selling mineral rights by getting your property in front of a huge audience of buyers. This allows buyers to compete against one another which ensures you get fair market value for selling mineral rights.
There are absolutely no cost to list your property. When you locate a buyer by listing your property with us, we are paid a commission directly by the buyers closing agent. This means you never have any out of pocket expenses ever. We only get paid if we can get you a better price than the current offer you have in hand.

FREE GUIDE
Download our free mineral rights guide now! Learn more about your mineral rights.