CashRent set out to make farmland cash-rent leasing easier to price and compare by giving landowners an estimate, showing property details, and inviting competing farmers to bid. A December 2021 account described that original marketplace; the business has since rebranded as CommonGround, whose current site lists farm and hunting land. The original estimates were estimates—not appraisals or guarantees of a lease price.
Why CashRent started
CashRent launched in June 2020, founded by Chris Baumann and Brad Belser. In a December 2021 Successful Farming profile, Baumann said he had struggled to understand the leasing process after buying a hobby farm in Illinois in 2013. He began with a 50/50 crop-share arrangement and later asked the farmer about a fixed cash rent. When the farmer suggested $150 per acre, Baumann researched the farm and local information and countered with $220 per acre. That episode explains the founders’ motivation; it is an anecdote, not evidence that one figure was a representative market rate or that the counteroffer reflected an independently appraised value.
The founders wanted landowners to have more information before negotiating. Baumann noted that a fair rate changes with commodity and input prices, operation size, and other variables. CashRent’s premise was to make more of those factors visible and create a place for landowners and potential tenants to meet.
How the original CashRent marketplace worked
The 2021 account described a web-based service that was free for landowners. A landowner could request a “CashRentstimate,” which paired an estimated cash-rent value with a soil-quality map, and then list the property. The estimate used county-level data and factors including productivity index, soil type, rainfall, and average temperature. It was a pricing reference, not a guaranteed appraisal, offer, or lease result; actual rent could vary with local demand, property specifics, and the terms negotiated.
Recommended Free Tools
After a listing, the article said farmers within a 60-mile radius were notified and bidding opened within 24 hours. Farmers supplied profile information so landowners could assess prospective tenants. The highest bid did not automatically win: a landowner could weigh the bidder’s fit as well as the amount offered.
Under the fee model described in that 2021 article, a farmer paid CashRent 4% of the gross lease when a lease was executed. That is a historical description of the original service, not a statement of current fees.
Rank #2
- Comprehensive Lease Toolkit: Zastic! offers a complete solution with 3 blank residential lease agreement forms, enabling landlords to confidently navigate long-term tenancies. Each kit is designed for ease, ensuring legal thoroughness.
- Inclusive Reference Guide: Each kit includes a detailed guide to assist landlords through the lease drafting process, providing clarity on key elements such as terms, conditions, and tenant rights for comprehensive understanding.
- Versatile Property Application: Ideal for a variety of residential properties, including apartments, houses, and condos, this kit ensures landlords are equipped for any leasing situation, enhancing flexibility and preparedness.
- Essential Landlord Forms: Beyond lease agreements, the kit features critical documents like Lead Paint Disclosure, Move-in/Move-out Checklist, and Security Deposit Receipt, covering all bases for a thorough and legally compliant rental process.
- Clarity & Compliance Assurance: Designed with attention to legal details, these forms ensure clear communication and understanding between landlords and tenants, fostering a transparent and compliant leasing relationship.
What CashRent’s performance figures do—and do not—show
The 2021 profile attributed two outcome claims to CashRent: about 90% of online auctions resulted in leases above the estimate, and landowners saw an average increase of more than 37% in return on investment (ROI), according to co-founder Brad Belser. The article did not provide a sample size, calculation method, or comparison group. These company-reported figures therefore describe what CashRent said about its results at the time; they do not establish that using an auction causes a particular rent increase or that an individual property will lease above its estimate.
CommonGround’s current listing page now advertises a 39.8% average cash-rent increase for listed landowners and says 90% of listings lease above the high end of its estimate. Those are company-published claims on an undated page, and the page does not provide methodology or independent validation. They should not be directly compared with the 2021 figures: the reported measures differ, and the available descriptions do not establish whether their underlying data or calculation methods are comparable.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- COMPLETE RESIDENTIAL LEASE PACKAGE: PlanNow provides a practical package for organizing residential rental paperwork. The included materials feature a Residential Lease Form along with a Rental Application and supporting forms to help landlords and property managers keep important rental information organized.
- RENTAL APPLICATION & TENANT INFORMATION: The Rental Application provides organized sections for collecting applicant information, including personal details, roommates or other occupants, rental history, income, and employment history. Use the structured format to gather relevant information during the rental application process.
- EASY-TO-FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS: Work through the included paperwork with step-by-step instructions designed to make the preparation process easier to understand. The straightforward format helps you identify the information needed for the forms and organize residential leasing documents in a convenient paper package.
- CUSTOMIZABLE LEASE FORMS: Use the fill-in format to enter information relevant to your rental property and agreement. The customizable paperwork provides a structured way to organize lease details and other information associated with a residential rental arrangement.
- LAWYER APPROVED FORMS & LIVE LEGAL SUPPORT: The package is presented as lawyer approved forms and includes live legal support. Access support for questions related to the included paperwork and preparation process, while reviewing the forms carefully and considering applicable requirements for your rental situation.
CashRent became CommonGround
A 2023 AgFunderNews report said CashRent had rebranded as CommonGround and raised $3 million in a seed round led by AgFunder, with participation from land-sector companies and investors. That report records a company milestone; it does not establish current financing or investor involvement.
CommonGround’s current marketplace page describes listings for farm and hunting ground. Landowners can receive offers, review tenant profiles, and choose a tenant; the company says the highest bid does not automatically win. The page lists tenant-paid site fees of 4% for farm ground and 15% for hunting ground. Because fees and platform terms can change, check the current listing terms before posting or making an offer.
Rank #4
- This kit contains 2 fill-in-the-blanks paper legal forms and a handy quick reference guide.
- You get 2 legally binding lease agreements that are perfect for the homeowners or landlord
- Step-by-step instructions to protect you and your tenant when renting a property, apartment or house.
- Easy to use and understand Save the legal fees and do it yourself. Our forms are valid and binding in all States
- Our forms are valid and binding in all States
What CommonGround says is available now
CommonGround’s marketplace is described as open. Its separate digital land-management page describes a Ground Value Report drawing on soil data, yield history, and local market rates. It also lists lease, property, payment, communication, document, and reminder features as in development; those planned tools should not be treated as generally available services.
The current report’s described inputs can help a landowner frame a conversation, but they do not remove the need to check the particulars of a parcel and lease. For a useful comparison, ask what geography and time period an estimate covers, which property-level characteristics it includes, and how it accounts for crop, access, improvements, and lease terms. A rent estimate is one input into a negotiation, not a substitute for evaluating the agreement.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Best Value
- Easy-to-use for property owners who lease and/or for real estate investors
- Includes necessary forms, instructions, and information; 1 gross lease, 1 net lease included
- Easy to understand - no "legalese"
- Contents reviewed and approved by attorneys or industry experts
- Made in the USA
How to judge a farmland cash-rent estimate
Cash rent is a fixed payment for use of farmland, unlike a crop-share arrangement in which the landowner receives an agreed share of crops or proceeds. The USDA Farm Service Agency uses a specific definition of a cash-rent tenant for certain ARC/PLC benefits and CRP contracts. Those program rules can affect eligibility and contribution requirements, so landowners and operators should consult current FSA guidance for their own circumstances rather than assume an ordinary lease label settles program treatment.
For ordinary lease decisions, compare the estimate with other relevant local information and consider the full arrangement, not just the headline dollar-per-acre figure. Tenant reliability, the land’s productivity, responsibilities for upkeep, payment timing, and lease length can all matter. If a marketplace advertises above-estimate outcomes, look for an explanation of the measure, sample, and comparison method before treating the percentage as a forecast for your land.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
