Marketing your rural property

Harry Morshead, Associate Director and Rural Chartered Surveyor based in our Hexham Mart office shares with us the latest farm and land sales information from youngsRPS.

The rural property market at present is incredibly buoyant, which given the current uncertainty in the agriculture sector is perhaps surprising for some. Land is though largely seen as a safe investment; they certainly don’t make any more of it and with the uncertainties in the perhaps higher yielding markets coupled with increasing interest from a wide range of new investors, the age-old adage of supply and demand has been further intensified. From our Hexham Mart Office alone in 2022 we have successfully sold 3 equipped farms all within 6 months of launching. In addition, we have sold several lots of bare land ranging from less than 10 acres up to 100 acres, with the latter achieving what we believe maybe the highest price paid for publicly marketed land in the Tyne Valley.

A perfect example of successful marketing would be the recent sale of Colwell Hill Farm in Elsdon. This upland livestock farm was well presented, its obvious productivity was well documented and accordingly attracted a lot of interest receiving over 22,000 likes on Facebook alone. It sold as a whole and for more than the guide.

Another example was the sale of Greenfield Farm. Like Colwell Hill it was an equipped upland livestock farm, however it differed in that it was smaller and included a well-established diversified business. The combination of the diversified business, modern farmhouse/holiday cottages and a relatively small area of land (circa 145 acres) meant that realising true value didn’t necessarily lie in a whole sale. Consequently, the property was Lotted and with lotting preferences changing through the course of the sale, flexibility was required and in turn transparency. Knowledge of the protagonists in the local market also helped as differing options could be presented to suit individual needs. Consequently, again the property sold over the guide.

Typically, the spring and summer months is the time where most rural properties are marketed with many vendors making these decisions now. YRPS have over 140 years of experience in the rural property market and a proven track record of performance. As a firm we have a team of practical, local, and approachable agents who understand the market and the people within.

Actions speak louder than words, but don’t just take our word for it. The vendors of Greenfield Farm had this to say:

“Selling any property is stressful at the best of times, but the sale of a rural property presents different challenges.

Using YRPS, and expertly guided by Harry Morshead, allowed us to be navigated through the process to a successful conclusion, with the added bonus of achieving above the guide price.

Harry’s commitment to the sale was evident throughout, keeping us informed at every step, and his local knowledge proved to be an invaluable asset, and one which should not be underestimated.

I would have no hesitation in commending YRPS to any potential vendors.”

For more rural property guidance contact Harry directly on 01434 609 000 or email harry.morshead@youngsrps.com or any of our rural property experts.