Considering selling your UK farm or smallholding and would like to explore your options?
We’re actively looking to purchase UK farms and smallholdings to grow our existing rural enterprise business. If you’re thinking of selling, retiring from farming or simply want to look at your options in this rapidly changing market, we can help.
Carl & Hayley Mirauer
About us
We’re a family run business based in The New Forest that currently owns and operates Hazelhurst Farm, comprising of a mixture of holiday accommodation, equestrian facilities and small-scale regenerative agricultural enterprises.
After buying the farm in 2018 we commenced work on transforming this former dairy farm into a viable modern hospitality business whilst expanding the traditional rural farming and livery yard into one synergistic operation.
The following years gave us a rollercoaster ride of unexpected challenges and triumphs that have served as a real baptism of fire into navigating the choppy waters of running a rural business in this modern era. Yet ultimately it has imbued us with the knowledge that we couldn’t wish for a more rewarding career.
We have a huge passion to continue expanding what we have done at Hazelhurst Farm and are keen to continue to find additional farms that we believe are the right fit for our business model.
Making the decision to sell
We understand that selling your farm can be one of the most life-changing and important actions you will ever take. We know from our own experience, what an immense undertaking it is to own and operate a farm business. With the amount of hard work and time that you have put into your farm over the years, you deserve to be able to reap the rewards of that effort when the time does come to sell.
Whatever your reason for selling, it will no doubt give you the opportunity and the means to open a new chapter of your life and give you the freedom to focus on the things that matter to you most right now.
10 common reasons for selling
1. Age: Many farmers in the UK are reaching retirement age, and may want to retire and enjoy their golden years.
2. Decreasing demand for their produce: Some farmers may be facing a reduction in demand for their products, leading to decreased revenue and profitability.
3. Health issues: Farming can be a physically demanding profession, and some farmers may be dealing with health issues that make it difficult for them to continue working.
4. Inability to keep up with changing technology: Farming technology is rapidly evolving, and some farmers may feel that they are unable to keep up with the latest advances.
5. Regulatory and legal compliance: The regulatory environment for agriculture in the UK can be complex and burdensome. Some farmers may feel that they are unable to comply with all of the necessary regulations, which can make it difficult to continue operating their business.
6. Succession planning: Some farmers may not have a viable succession plan in place, making it difficult to pass on their business to the next generation.
7. Financial considerations: For some farmers, it may simply make more financial sense to retire and sell their business rather than continuing to operate at a reduced profit margin.
8. Environmental factors: Climate change and other environmental issues can have a significant impact on farming operations. Some farmers may feel that they are unable to adapt to the changing conditions, which can make it difficult to continue operating their business.
9. Social factors: Many farmers in the UK work in isolated rural areas, which can be difficult for some people to adjust to. Some farmers may wish to retire and move to a more urban area where they can be closer to family and friends.
10. Desire for a change of pace: After dedicating their lives to farming, some farmers may simply want to retire and pursue other interests, hobbies, and pursuits.
How we can help
If you are a farmer who is looking to retire or exit the industry, we would love to hear from you!
We will work closely with you to ensure a smooth and hassle-free sale. We are committed to ensuring that you get the best possible price for your farm, and we will work hard to find the right exit structure that will achieve your desired goal.
Whether you are looking to sell a single farm or a portfolio of properties, we have the expertise and resources to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
Some solutions we can offer
Outright purchase –
With the recent rise in interest rates and banks tightening their lending criteria the number of potential purchasers has significantly decreased.
A traditional approach of selling through an agent could prove lengthy and expensive (some charge fees in excess of 2%+VAT of the sale price!). Selling to us eliminates the commission to a middleman and puts it back in your equity pot.
In many instances we are able to purchase with 100% cash funds and can avoid further delays that inevitably occur when using bank finance.
You also have a direct line of communication with us throughout the process, ensuring that the information both parties provide is understood and your terms are conveyed clearly.
Sale with a retained equity stake –
It is often the case that many farmers would like to pass their farm business on to the next generation, but their children have an alternate career path or do not have a desire to continue with farming.
In these instances, we could look to structure a sale where you release enough capital to pursue your own interests, whilst retaining a share of equity in the property that you can pass on to your children in the future or release when you need it at a later stage.
Lease with an option/obligation to purchase –
It could make sense for you to agree a lease with us to occupy the property and operate our business. This can provide you with a passive income stream of rent for an agreed period and then a final date when the sale will complete at an agreed price.
If market conditions mean that the current value of your property has dropped below your expected goal, this method provides a good way to boost your returns with additional rental income and a higher sale price agreed for a future date.
Experience
”2023 marks my 20th year working full time in property and construction. Of all the roles I’ve had, from those early labouring jobs, running my own estate agency or building a variety of development projects, acquiring and managing a farm business has been the most challenging and rewarding of all.”
“It’s given me the drive to make this my primary focus for the next 20 years and beyond.
If you’d like a free, confidential and no obligation evaluation of your property, just click the button below to provide some brief details and we’ll be in touch.
