Jerry,
There are a few different ways to sell your mineral rights; five off the top of my head and the advantages are... (Please note, I am NOT an attorney, accountant, investment advisor! Below is simply the opinion of one person, that owns a few small mineral parcels.)
1. I assume you receive unsolicited phone calls / junk mail, like other mineral owners seeking to purchase your minerals. This would be a very quick sale, but traditionally at a very low, inequitable price, something I would avoid if possible.
2. Simply placing a classified ad in the local Doddridge County newspaper will get responses, set a specific date and review any offers you receive.
3. Approach a local Realtor and ask that they list the parcel in their listings. Frequently Realtors have clients that are in search of mineral rights, but there will be a commission associated with doing so.
4. I know of a few different attorneys that would separate the surface from the minerals, that have a list of clients they would approach to see if any are interested in purchasing the minerals. You will have a 250.00 - 500.00 bill for this, but worth having potential buyers trying to 'outbid' each other, thus a higher price for yourself.
5. If you know anyone in the industry that you trust, approach them and ask if they know anyone that is currently buying minerals. Typically you will have your best results with this, in that there is a 'friend factor' involved and whomever you approach, does not wish to see either party involved, get treated unfairly. Additionally, the title fee for separating the minerals from the surface and be negotiated into the sales contract, with each party paying 50%.
As you know, mineral rights are a type of commodity and prices fluctuate significantly. There are stories of people selling at 10,000.00 - 15,0000 per net mineral acre, but that was a few years ago and I have not seen prices in that ballpark recently. That said, I was recently approached to sell my Doddridge Parcel for their "best price" of 3,500.00 / net mineral acre and I scoffed at the caller. Within an hour their best price increased 40%, but was still undervalued in my opinion.
Lastly, to counter an earlier comment regarding "...selling never to receive money again." I am inclined to say, that is accurate. Minerals are a commodity and like all commodities, there are risks associated with ownership. A simple example that I would present is: If a person owned 100 mineral acres and sold at 5,000.00 / acre, they would receive 500,000.00. At a 5% return, their income on that half million dollars would be 25,000.00 / year. Currently there are not many wells paying 2,083.00 / month, but one never knows what the market will be like in 2 months, 2 years, 20 years. There is a risk involved and having all your eggs in one basket, is never a good thing.
Feel free to email me directly on this site if you wish to ask specific questions or if I may provide any additional information or assistance.
Cheers,
WJ