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Farms and Land Market Update

Stags Farm Agency is made up of a team of four agents, who cover the whole of the West Country, from our most westerly office in Truro to the east in Yeovil. As farm agents our roles are varied, particularly in respect of the type of property and people we meet. Over the course of 2015 we sold a diverse range of farms from a 300 acre state-of-the art robotic dairy farm through to an acre pony paddock on the edge of a village. Each property brings its own challenges and the key to achieving a successful sale is knowing the market and appealing to the right buyers. This comes from a combination of experience and market evidence of successful sales. 

Over the course of 2015 Stags proved its credentials by selling £46,413,243 worth of farms and land across the West Country 41% up on 2014. Analysing these results, the average land values in 2015 were:

Devon £8,084 per acre

Cornwall £8,804 per acre

Somerset £8,808 per acre

So who were the main buyers of farms and land? Despite falling commodity prices, 41% of the farm and land buyers were farmers, with the rest being a combination of investors or amenity buyers. Interestingly about three quarters of these buyers hailed from the West Country with the remainder coming from outside the region. 

The question all farm agents are being asked is whether land and farm values have peaked? The answer in short is "yes and no!" We expect some levelling of the market, with prices remaining firm but not rising, except in some hot spots where the best land will continue to see strong demand. There may be areas of the West Country where demand however for land is patchy, putting some downward pressure on land prices.

For 2016 already Stags has a number of quality farm instructions to bring to market, ranging from a productive stock farm in Cornwall with an extensive range of farm buildings, three mixed farms in Mid Devon ranging from 100 to 200 acres, and a large mixed holding in East Devon. Already available is Four Elms Farm, near Ottery St Mary which has 132 acres of Grade 2 land, an attractive farmhouse and farm buildings being offered for sale by auction in seven lots on 6th April 2016. Within the first week sixteen parties viewed the farmhouse and there has been substantial interest in the land.

If you are looking to make a purchase of a farm or land we would be delighted to register your interest, or if you are considering a sale now or in the future we are always keen to speak. Please call Stags Farm Agency on 01392 680059.