Areas of expertise: rural property, estate management, valuation, design and planning advice.
“As the West seemingly undergoes its own version of the ‘Arab Spring’, the effects pervade throughout the rural farms and estates sector,” says Tom Bishop BSc (Hons) MRICS FAAV of BCM Rural Property Specialists. “We are continuing to see strong demand for prime farms and estates, with many attracting large premiums.”
“However, these premiums are becoming increasingly location-specific or for special purchasers such as those looking to reinvest gains from development land. A number of clients and landowners are now also taking advantage of low interest rates in funding purchases and restructuring existing debt.”
“With uncertainty surrounding Brexit (and the disappearance of EU trade deals) and a replacement Common Agricultural Policy, there is due to be a dramatic shake up of farm and environmental subsidies which will need to be carefully watched to understand the impact on individual businesses and the market generally.”
“The fall of the pound has already led to increased interest from foreign investors in land and our view is that ongoing change in Europe and beyond could drive values of UK land as a defensive asset. However, buyers need to clearly understand the impact a new BAP (British Agricultural Policy) may have on the income yield of these assets.”
BCM’s view:
- Strong demand for prime farms and estates
- Low interest rates and devaluation of sterling key factors in demand
- Impact of CAP replacement bringing some uncertainty
- Ongoing change in Europe will have a significant effect on land values
The professional view.
A critical aspect of what Middleton Advisors offers is the ability to draw on different strands of expertise from across the full spectrum of property and professional services. The Middleton ‘professional view’ blog offers topical comment from experts and professionals to provide insights into the current market for prime property in London and the UK countryside – what is driving activity and prospects, trends, legislative changes, opportunities and threats.