Farms & Smallholdings | Property Classifieds - Rent, Sell Or Buy For Free

Buying a farm or smallholding is becoming an increasingly popular option as more and more people try to leave their nine-to- five jobs behind along with the pollution and stress of the cities. Buying a smallholding can provide you with a new lifestyle and a moderate income. However, unless you have the money to buy hundreds of acres of land then it is unlikely you will become rich from your new way of life!

Finding suitable farmland and smallholdings
One of the best places to look for smallholdings and farms for sale is the internet as there are hundreds of dedicated sites for this kind of purchase. You may not feel comfortable looking for a potentially life-changing investment on the internet, but just looking will give you a good idea of current availability and prices. It is a well known fact that quality land in the UK is becoming scarce and so it may be worth looking further afield as well. Countries such as France still have excellent quality land for sale, some in prime locations, at very reasonable prices.

If you are committed to staying in the UK however, then you should register your details with a number of professional land agents. These agents often have access to land, which for one reason or another, is being sold off-market and you could find a great little farm or smallholding that isn't advertised anywhere else. Land agents will also have access to properties that are 'agriculturally tied' and these can be a much cheaper alternative for new smallholders. An agriculturally tied property or smallholding will have a living restriction placed on it whereby you can only live in the house if you can prove that the majority of your income will come from farming your own land, or working in a local agricultural business. These tied farms and smallholdings are regularly offered at around three quarters of their full worth because of the restrictions placed on them. This makes them a great choice for people who are serious about farming and making a decent income from their land.

Financing your farm or smallholding
When you find a location that offers everything you need then you will obviously have to finance the purchase . Thankfully this has become easier over the last few years. In addition to a mortgage, you will also need insurance and possibly a start up loan to help with the costs of equipment and livestock, if you intend to keep any. Many companies today offer all three of these financing options and by choosing a commercial mortgage you can borrow the money to buy the smallholding and secure the loan against the property or the land. Some companies will require a 15% deposit, however if you have additional property or assets to use as security, then it is often possible to borrow the entire amount needed.

Because you will be buying a business or a potential business, the finance companies will consider lending to self employed people, those who can't prove their income, and even those with poor credit histories which means that virtually anyone can have the opportunity of a new life as a farmer or smallholder.

Important things to consider before buying
Being a farmer or smallholder is not an easy life and the hours can often be long and hard in all weathers. It is important that you have the self-discipline and heart to keep going through the rough times. Unless you have a large reserve of capital to fall back on, you may also have to work another job as well, to fund the farm while you get it off the ground.

Before doing anything however, you need to find a farm or smallholding that has the facilities you need for your farming future and that is in a good state of repair. Many people look at the land for suitability, but neglect the living accommodation somewhat when visiting the property, only to buy the place and find out that the wind howls through the windows and the roof leaks! Make sure that any repairs to the living accommodation aren't going to cost the earth and that the location isn't so isolated that it is difficult to get tradesmen on site for any essential repairs that you have to undertake.

You should also consider the state of the outbuildings and the boundary fences, especially if you intend to keep livestock. In addition you need to research the entire area and find out where the 'farmers markets' are and if there are any other potential outlets for your produce as, at the end of the day, you will need to make some kind of income, and hopefully profit, from your farm or smallholding. These markets and outlets should be quite close to your land so that you don't lose any profit you might make in travelling expenses. You can also ask the current owners if they are willing to sell livestock or equipment along with the land, as this could potentially cut down on your start up expenses and save them the hassle of finding another buyer. Be sensible however and don't buy a hundred cows if you intend to start a sheep farm or grow organic vegetables!

Conclusion
The idea of living in an idyllic location with a few animals and a vegetable garden is a lovely one, however owning a farm or smallholding is very different and if you intend to work the land yourself, it can also be a very hard life. If you have unending enthusiasm and a passion for the lifestyle then owning land can be very rewarding and with the ease with which you can finance the purchase, there is no reason why you should not live your dream.