For the 9 months to 31 March 2025, the market is 35% ahead of the same time last year with $2.5 billion of sales and 815 farms sold, and the momentum is gaining with March sales this year up 70%, on the same time last year by value of farms sold.
It’s not hard to figure out the drivers given the lower interest rates and the general improvement in the commodity cycle, both combining to improve farmer balance sheets dramatically. However, this is not the whole story. There is also a lot more confidence in the regulatory settings in support of primary sector investment, which makes it particularly attractive for new capital in support of pastoral-based farming systems.
Right now, we are moving into farm settlement mode, and our Property Brokers sales for the first quarter of 2025 are running at 2.5x the same time last year, so it’s busy. Believe it or not, new sales are still completing right on the bell of the end of the season.
This season for our business has seen a momentum shift for larger scale dairy and sheep and beef farms, the larger family farming businesses have recognised that if they want to grow their businesses, the market has bottomed and now is the time to operate. In the absence of strong forestry demand, Hill Country farmers have more confidence to operate.
Established dairy farmers are looking to grow again at scale, given the prospect of two back-to-back $10+ payouts.
With a much improved market we expect more farmers to list their properties for sale this coming spring. However, the market drivers to list a rural property for sale over the second half of this calendar year 2025, are likely to be more pragmatic than economic. There have been many Dairy farmers and farm syndicates, particularly wanting to sell (years!) but waiting for market conditions to improve, and these farmers have seen too many seasons to believe things just keep going up. We continue to hear, ‘Well if I’m going to make a decision to sell, it’s probably going to be this calendar year” This sentiment reflects not only two good years in a row (Dairy) but the uncertainty of an election year in late 2026.
We are actively seeking farm listings now to fill notified buying interest for the new season; it’s our view quality listings sold early are likely to attract the strongest market premium, so talk to us soon, and you might even win a Honda Pioneer 1000 SxS UTV in support of your appraisal inquiry before the 30th of June.
The rural lifestyle market has always been a good stepping stone for acquiring a larger farm property; this market continues to operate year in and year out but the gap in valuations is likely to get bigger as farm values improve and the lifestyle market holds firm. So, for those looking to own their first rural property, now is the time to have a swing; bank support is predicted to be more favourable, too, aligned to general confidence in support of the sector.
In short, the market is on the up, and market fundamentals remain very strong, but nothing lasts forever. If you’ve been wanting to sell for a while, we’d really like to chat with you sooner rather than later to take advantage of the current market
sentiment.
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell your farm or lifestyle property, our True Team is here to exceed your expectations. With a perfect blend of energy and experience on your side, you can’t go wrong with Property Brokers.
