Guide
Equestrian property, farmsteads, woodland: valuation, law, buyers
Detailed explanations of my specialist area. The overview and the free valuation can be found on the page Equestrian property & land.
Key points
In short: equestrian facilities, farmsteads, land, woodland and private hunting districts are valued differently from houses, because the business, land, permits and planning rights outside development areas determine the value. The circle of buyers is small and supra-regional, often international, so targeted marketing to qualified buyers is decisive.
Equestrian facility and riding business
With a professional facility, the equipment determines the value: the number, dimensions and surface construction of the indoor arenas, outdoor arenas with irrigation and lighting, horse walker, lunging hall, solarium, aqua trainer, treadmill, wash bays and stables with paddocks. Add to that staff accommodation, a riders' lounge, storage and machinery sheds and the contiguous land. Buyers looking for a facility like this know the difference between a 20 x 40 and a 20 x 60 arena, and between a sand arena and an ebb-and-flow surface.
If the facility is run with livery clients, training or competitions, the business is included in the valuation: occupancy, livery contracts, earnings and staff. The legal basis is also considered: building law outside the designated development area (Außenbereich), privileged status, approved use, conditions and classification as an agricultural business or livery business. Complete and well-organised documentation is a significant part of the sale price for these properties.
I know the requirements of a professional facility from my own experience in equestrian sport and from conversations with operators. That is why I prepare your facility so that qualified prospects can decide quickly, and approach buyers who are able to run and finance such a facility, in Germany and internationally.
Frequently asked questions: equestrian facility and riding business
Is the riding business included in the valuation?
Yes. For facilities with livery clients, training or competitions, occupancy, contracts, earnings and staff are included in the valuation. Facility and business are considered as a single unit.
Which features have a particular effect on value?
Number and dimensions of the indoor arenas, surface construction, outdoor arenas, horse walker, lunging hall and training equipment such as solarium, aqua trainer and treadmill. Plus stables with paddocks, wash bays and staff accommodation.
Can the business continue to operate during the sale?
Yes. A running business is a selling point. Viewings are coordinated with the daily operations, without a public listing if you wish.
Who buys professional equestrian facilities?
Professional riders, trainers, livery yard operators, breeders and investors. Many prospects come from other German states or from abroad, including the Netherlands and Belgium.
Which documents are required?
Cadastral maps, building permits, use permits, site plan, technical documentation, livery contracts and, for businesses, the key figures for recent years.
Go to page: Equestrian facility & riding business →
Farmstead and former farmstead (Resthof)
With a farmstead, what matters first is what is possible with the buildings: residential use, keeping horses, storage, workshop, commercial use or continued farming. Building law outside the designated development area under § 35 BauGB sets the framework. An approved change of use or a clear statement from the authority on the options increases the value considerably, because it gives the buyer certainty.
On top of this come the condition and fabric of the farmhouse, stables and barn, the associated land and its layout, utility connections, water and wastewater, as well as any conditions arising from former agricultural use. I record all of this on site and prepare the documents so that serious prospects can decide quickly.
The buyer group for farmsteads is broad and varied: horse owners look for stables and paddocks, families for space and peace, trade businesses for halls and storage, farmers for land and farm buildings. I approach the right group in a targeted way, throughout Germany and internationally.
Frequently asked questions: farmstead and former farmstead
May I convert the farmstead to residential or commercial use?
Outside the designated development area (Außenbereich), this is only possible under certain conditions. Whether and to what extent depends on the previous use, the building and the municipality. I clarify the options before the sale, because they determine the value.
Can I sell the farmstead and the land separately?
Often, yes. Whether that makes sense depends on the buyer group: horse owners want the paddock next to the house, farmers often only want the land. We examine both routes.
What about contamination or old installations?
Oil tanks, slurry tanks, silos or old buildings must be disclosed and assessed. Clear information builds trust and prevents renegotiation later.
Which documents are required?
Land register, cadastral maps, building permits, energy performance certificate, information on water and sewerage, plus lease agreements if land is leased out.
Go to page: Farmstead & former farmstead →
Arable land and grassland
For arable land and grassland, what counts is soil quality rating, shape, access and lease situation. A parcel on a long-term lease has a different group of buyers and a different price from vacant land. Standard land values (Bodenrichtwerte) give an initial guide; what matters are the prices actually paid in the region and local demand.
The sale of agricultural land requires approval under the Grundstückverkehrsgesetz (agricultural land transactions act), and farmers may hold a right of pre-emption. Anyone who does not plan for this in advance loses time or the buyer. I clarify the approval and pre-emption rights with the relevant authorities and prepare the sale so that it goes through securely.
Buyers are mainly local farmers who want to consolidate their farmland, horse owners looking for pasture next to their yard, and investors who see leased land as a long-term investment. Each group values something different, and I tailor the approach accordingly.
Frequently asked questions: arable land and grassland
Do I need approval for the sale?
As a rule, yes. The sale of agricultural land requires approval under the Land Transactions Act (Grundstückverkehrsgesetz). I guide you through the procedure.
What does farmers' right of first refusal mean?
If land is sold to a non-farmer, a farmer or the rural settlement company can, under certain conditions, step into the contract (right of pre-emption). This is checked and planned for in advance.
Can I sell leased land?
Yes. The lease passes to the buyer. Leased land is of interest to investors and to the tenant farmer themselves.
How is the price determined?
Based on soil quality points, shape, access, lease situation, standard land values (Bodenrichtwerte) and prices actually achieved for comparable land in the region.
Go to page: Arable land & grassland →
Woodland and forestry estate
The value of a woodland lies in its timber stock: tree species, age classes, standing volume, site quality, condition after drought years and bark beetle, plus access, path network and plot shape. A young mixed broadleaf woodland is traded differently from a conifer stand ready for felling, and a calamity area differently from a well-managed forestry estate with a forest management plan.
The legal framework is the North Rhine-Westphalia State Forest Act and the Federal Forest Act, plus possible rights of first refusal and conditions arising from protected areas. For larger estates I bring in forestry experts, so that the valuation also stands up to scrutiny by banks and buyers.
The pool of buyers is small and knowledgeable: forestry businesses consolidating their holdings, foundations and investors with a long-term horizon, private woodland owners from the neighbourhood. These buyers expect complete documents and a professionally justified asking price.
Frequently asked questions: woodland and forestry estate
How is woodland valued?
Based on the stand, tree species, age classes, timber stock, site quality, access and shape. For larger areas, with a forestry expert report.
Can I sell calamity areas (storm or pest-damaged woodland)?
Yes. Calamity areas (damaged by storms, drought or pests) have their own group of buyers who plan for reforestation and subsidies. The price depends on area, location and reforestation effort.
Is there a right of pre-emption?
Depending on location and size, rights of first refusal may exist, for example where the land borders state or municipal forest or lies in protected areas. This is checked in advance.
Which documents are required?
Land register, cadastral maps, forest management plan or stand description, information on paths, hunting lease and protected areas.
To the page: Woodland & forestry estate →
Private hunting district (Eigenjagd)
A private hunting district (Eigenjagd) is rare and is traded accordingly. Besides area and stand, what counts are game species and game population, hunting facilities such as high seats, feeding sites and paths, the game damage situation, neighbouring hunting grounds and whether the hunting is exercised by the owner or leased out. A hunting lodge or hunting cabin significantly increases the value for private buyers.
Legally, the Federal Hunting Act and the Hunting Act of North Rhine-Westphalia apply: the land must be contiguous, cover at least 75 hectares and belong to one person or one joint ownership. Existing hunting leases pass to the buyer. I check the requirements in advance so that the private hunting district status is secured in the sale.
The group of buyers is small, financially strong and supra-regional: keen hunters, families looking for their own hunting ground, and investors who see woodland and hunting as a long-term investment. Many prospective buyers come from other German states or from abroad. I reach this group through targeted, personal outreach.
Frequently asked questions: private hunting district
When does my land count as a private hunting district (Eigenjagd)?
In North Rhine-Westphalia, from 75 hectares of contiguous land usable for agriculture, forestry or fishing in single ownership. Smaller areas belong to the communal hunting district.
What happens to the hunting lease?
It passes to the buyer. A leased private hunting district is attractive to investors, an unleased one to buyers who wish to hunt themselves.
Who buys private hunting districts?
Passionate hunters, families and investors, often from other German states or from abroad. The pool is small and is approached in a targeted way.
Which documents are required?
Land register, cadastral maps, proof of area, information on stock and game, hunting facilities, hunting leases and cull planning.
To the page: Private hunting district →
Frequently asked questions about equestrian property
What is my equestrian property worth?
The value is determined by the indoor arena, stables, land, planning law and, for businesses, the operating figures. A free on-site assessment provides clarity.
Do you also sell to buyers outside NRW?
Yes. Equestrian properties are sought after across regions. I approach prospective buyers throughout Germany and, through my network, internationally too.
Can the business continue to operate during the sale?
Yes. A running business with livery contracts is a selling point. The marketing is organised so that the business is not disrupted.
Which documents are needed for the valuation?
Land parcels and areas, condition of the buildings, permits, lease agreements and, for businesses, occupancy.
Go to page: Sell equestrian property →
To the overview of equestrian property & land →
