Savills Portugal

Farm agents on both sides of the border are seeing a real surge in demand from buyers looking for lifestyle farms. Indeed our analysis of Savills website traffic has shown the number of people searching for the terms ‘farms’, ‘estates’ and ‘rural’ is now 50 per cent above pre-lockdown levels.

But what constitutes a ‘lifestyle farm’? From our conversations with clients, it encapsulates a broad range of properties from small holdings or a house with a few acres and perhaps some barns either up and running as holiday lets or with the potential to develop a diversified income stream to a farmhouse set in a larger acreage of farmland.

For anyone contemplating a move to a lifestyle farm, previous experience in growing crops or looking after livestock is not always necessary. Our Food and Farming team is experienced in establishing a wide range of farming agreements, from simple grazing licences, to share farming or contract farming agreements, whereby a neighbouring or local farmer undertakes the mechanics of planting and harvesting a crop or looking after livestock, with the returns being shared.

However, while you may not have farming skills, a passion for the countryside and a keen vested interest in the smooth, efficient running of your farmland and property will be essential. Particularly as some types of agreement have favourable financial advantages.

Those moving from comparatively expensive city locations may well find they have sufficient funds to consider buying a small farm. However, one challenge for non-farmers may be how to finance their move. It could be that a residential mortgage suits perfectly, but it will depend on the proportion of land to property. We work with specialist lenders who understand the rural market and can advise on sourcing any additional funding that may be required.

Now that lockdown is easing we expect to see many more potential buyers making their rural dreams a reality with the purchase of a farm or house with some land. It’s certainly worth owners of property that may suit a lifestyle buyer casting their net wider to capture their interest.

If the rural idyll is for you, take a look at some of the best lifestyle farming opportunities on the market across the UK.