If you own a rural smallholding property, you may wonder how to add additional value to it, especially if you are considering selling it soon. For those wondering whether they fit into this category, a smallholding is typically a property and surrounding land which is larger than a normal garden but smaller than a full-scale farm.
This makes for a compelling value proposition because the type of buyer who would be interested in buying such a property is not necessarily open to the idea of a full-sized commercial farm and all it entails but wants to have the freedom of land attached to their house. As a result, it may be difficult at first to determine what you can do to further entice such a buyer and how you can make a smallholding more valuable.
Why is it so complex to sell?
The reason why it is complex is because it attracts such a wide variety of potential buyers. Some people are from towns or cities and know nothing about farming or the countryside. They are interested in your smallholding because they want to escape the stress and bustle of city life, go back to basics, and embrace the freedom of the great outdoors. Alternatively, a smallholding might attract a budding farmer who wants to raise their own modest stock of animals and start growing their own produce if only to be consumed by themselves.
These two buyers couldn’t be more different. One might value a landscaped garden and decking area to entertain their city friends, while the other might think this a negative and prefer the money to be invested in commercial buildings or stable blocks. The best way to deal with this problem is to do what you believe is the most valuable. While you can try to second guess what a prospective buyer is going to value, you need to please yourself first and foremost.
After all, it is your money.
To help you work out how to add value to your smallholding property, here are some great ideas:
Build a large outbuilding for storage or recreational use
Adding further building space is one of the best ways to add value to your smallholding. No matter who eventually buys your home, they are almost certainly going to appreciate it if you build a large outbuilding on your land.
The reason for this is simple. Everyone can benefit from this additional space, whether it is a farmer who has a place to store their hay or cattle or someone who wants to convert it into a fun den for them to entertain guests and store all their toys.
Of course, the actual size and intended use of your outbuilding will come down to your personal tastes, requirements, and budgetary considerations. Bear in mind that you may well have to apply for planning permission, and if you want to convert it from commercial to private use further up the road, you will need to apply for separate permits.
Make sure that the cost of this outbuilding makes sense financially and that you don’t lose when you come to sell the estate. A good way of keeping the costs down is to search for suppliers and contractors who offer competitive rates for their services, such as the concrete laying services at https://koehncs.com/services/concrete-foundation/. You’ll still get a great quality service and a solid foundation from which to work, but without as much expense on your end.
Extend the property
Extending it is another great way to add considerable value to your property. The reason is like that of building an outbuilding. People value additional space, especially when it is attached to the main property. Everyone dreams of living in a big house, but this is especially true when it comes to a smallholding. There is a particular desirability to a country manor, and an extension could provide just the trick to turn your quaint cottage into a statement property.
Of course, the size and scale of your extension will depend on your budget but understand that the underlying principle will apply no matter what your increase in property size ends up looking like. For instance, if you don’t have the budget or the time to build a new wing onto your house, you could always convert your attic or basement space into an additional bedroom, games room, snug, or children’s playroom, depending on your needs.
Buy additional land
If you are looking to pitch your property to wannabe landowners and farmers, the best approach you can take when trying to add value to your smallholding is buying additional land. This will help transform your smallholding into something approaching a fully blown farm or estate. This will make the property a far more attractive proposition and is guaranteed to add significant resale value to your home.
Just remember to only buy the land if it is usable for farmers, building development, or some other profitable enterprise. Otherwise, many prospective buyers will be put off by it and actually treat it as a burden rather than a plus point. What’s more, you will need to make sure that you purchase the additional land for a good price that doesn’t exceed the value it adds to your property’s resale price.
Turn it into a commercially viable farm
Following on from the previous point, if you want to transform your smallholding into a fully formed farm, then you should try and make this additional land commercially viable for any new owner who wants to use the place as a business. This might involve acquiring some livestock and machinery and making sure you have enough decent-sized fields for growing crops or rearing livestock. You may also need to apply for a license or planning permission from the local authorities to turn your property into a fully-fledged farm.
Landscape some of the land
Alternatively, if you want to transform your land into something more manageable for an owner who might appreciate a more domesticated set-up, you could always landscape the land surrounding your house. This way, you can create a clear distinction between the farmland and your property, making the smallholding more manageable and aesthetically pleasing. After all, no one wants to step outside their front door and instantly be covered in mud, so consider spending the time creating an attractive garden area.
This could include a decking or patio on which you can host barbeques or other social occasions or a dedicated gravel driveway, which makes walking in and out of your house more pleasant.
Install a swimming pool or tennis court
Just as the landscaped garden can add certain domestic desirability to your property, you could also make better use of the land attached to your house by installing a swimming pool or tennis court. This would inject some luxury into an otherwise rural setting, which is a fun juxtaposition to have.
By doing this, you can enjoy a relaxing and desirable time outside your house and then be presented with the rough and ready countryside when you stray further from the property.
Moreover, swimming pools and tennis courts are always valued keenly in housing markets, so you could also be future-proofing yourself.
Final Thoughts
Adding value to your rural smallholding can be as small or as big as you want, though the larger the addition, the more value it will add to your property overall. So ensure that you consult with professionals throughout your building project and have it completed to the best possible standard if you want to see a good return on it when you sell.
