Buying Land

[andrewo]

As many of you know, I've been after some land for some time and I've seen everything from mountain sides to bogs BUT there is still the problem of finding the land for sale in the first place. Many estate agents do not sell agricultural land, infact many don't sell any land of any sort unless there's a building on it. So, I'm putting out a plea, does anyone know any company or organisation that is reputable (yes, I've met some cowboys) who sell agricultural land in the North, particularly in the Saddleworth area - any help would be appreciated - I want to have a polytunnel!!!

[sewer rat]

Hi Andrewo
Been a while since we've been on at the same time mate - how's wedded bliss ?
Depends how much land you want really, and do you wanna buy or would you be okay if you got a long term rental agreement ?
As I'm not from your neck of the woods, I can only suggest the following;
Ask at your local agricultural market / livestock market.
Check ads in Smallholder / Move to the Country type magazines
Place advert in county newspaper
Get chatty with a grower at your local farmers market / s, tell him or her what you are after and see if he or she can put the word out.
Good Luck

[Alice]

How much land are you looking for AndrewO. If it's a polytunnel you're after what you need is a place with a big garden.

[Tigerella]

Hi

I thought about buying land, for an investment.
Instead of buying shares.
I would only be looking to spend £3-5000, so maybe not practicle.

Tigerella

[andrewo]

I'm looking to buy up to three acres - it would be nice to have a bigger garden but a bigger garden means a bigger house and house round here go from 200K+ and big gardens and that's averaged sized round here, is anything from 300K+ - so, it would be cheaper to buy land in the long run. As three acres would roughly be 15K.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Alice]

Sorry AndrewO, for that price I can't help you. Hope you can find 3 acres for £15 K.

[SarzWix]

Where I live, land usually seems to be sold by auction/informal tender, and are advertised in the local paper. I really think it would be worthwhile speaking to a local farmer, they'd be sure to know who handles land sales locally, even if they're not selling any themselves. Online I only know of RuralScene, but they're mostly properties with land.
You could try a 'wanted' ad in your local paper, or something like Farmer's Guardian?

[sewer rat]

Move up here Andrewo
For 15K you could buy about 5 acres of agricultural land - or rent about 60 acres for a year.

[nick the grief]

Smallholder Mag may be able to help. There was a place in Wales ( The smallholder centre) and they used to act as an estate agent for land & smallholding, I'm not sure if they cover your patch but they may know someone who does.

Failing that how about Farmers Weekly or Farmers Guardian?

[Polly Fouracre]

It took three years of searching until we got our field.
The thing to do is ring around all the Estate Agents and give them your details and ask them to let you know if anything comes up.
Is there a livestock market near you? Ask the auctioneer for numbers of E.A.swho deal in land.
I thought buying a field would be easy,all those poor farmers around!!But people with land are hanging onto it and who can blame them.
Anyway dont give up,keep searching and something will eventually come up.
Good luck!

[andrewo]

I know of no livestock market near me but will check it out. Have tried all Estate Agents in the area - none of them deal in land! And are tight lipped when you ask if they know anyone that does! But won't give up. Thanks for the suggestions, I know of the smallholding centre but they only cover Wales and don't come this far north. Can't do Scotland, the winters are too harsh for my spine, I'd end up wizened and depending on canes more. Anyway, will keep pushing on, if anyone sees anything give me a shout!!!!

[sanman]

Have you tried www.woodlands.co.uk , they have this http://www.woodlands.co.uk/buying-a-...d/lea-pasture/

[Earthbabe]

Good luck andrewo with your search. I know someone around here who sold some agricultural land recently and got £30,000 an acre. And there was me thinking I could look at doing something similar to you. At that price I'm sticking the the house, 90' garden and three lottie plots.

[Nicos]

Andrewo- I'd be tempted to drive around and see where abouts you'd want to have land and go and knock on house/farm doors and ask who owns the land you'd be interested in. That way the locals get to know your face and someone might be happy to part with some of their land for a bit of dosh.
One thing you need to make sure of is that you have access from a road. You don't want to buy anything land locked as there may be a time you may wish to sell it, and that could cause problems. Also don't presume you can just put a gate in a hedge to access a road- you'll need permission from the local authorities, and if it's near a bend ( or you need to park your car on the road to open the gate) they may not grant you access.
I wish you luck in your hunting!