The East Devon property market is booming, especially for farmland and rural estates. This is great news for investors looking to make a splash in the countryside, but it’s important to understand the details before jumping in.

Symonds & Sampson, a local farm estate agency, is reporting its busiest spring and summer in years. They’ve launched over 40 farms and smallholdings, along with plenty of bare land, onto the market.

The agency has even seen a handful of sales go through, which is unusual in this market where transactions often take longer. This shows how much demand there is, and that the right preparation and marketing is key to success.

Land Values – A Closer Look

While farmland and land values are holding strong, there are some nuances to consider.

Good News for Top-Tier Land:

• High-quality bare land in popular areas is fetching over £10,000 per acre.
• Farms with over 100 acres and a dwelling are selling for £15,000-£20,000 per acre, with the potential for even higher prices if there are multiple or large homes on the property.

Challenges for Less Desirable Areas:

• Marginal land in less sought-after areas is struggling, unless it has high conservation or development potential.
• Commercial farmers, who make up the core of buyers, are feeling the pressure of high lending rates. This means there’s more variation in prices depending on the location and quality of the land.

Shifting Buyer Landscape

The type of buyer interested in farmland is also changing.

Big is Better:

• Investors are seeking scale, with farms or land blocks of 300+ acres proving easier to sell than smaller properties.

New Players in the Game:

• Institutional and private investors are increasingly active, seeing land as a safe investment under the new government.
• Farmers and estates are also buying land to defer capital gains tax.
• Environmental organisations, trusts, pension funds, and individuals are acquiring land for conservation purposes.

Key Takeaway for Investors:
East Devon farmland is a hot commodity, with strong demand and a variety of buyers. Understanding the different types of land and the current market trends is vital for making smart investment decisions. Now is a good time to get involved, but do your research and consider the long-term potential of the land before you buy.