What to consider before buying a farm

What to consider before buying a farm

As a major producer of livestock, fruit and vegetables in South Africa, Limpopo has established itself as an investment hotspot for commercial property buyers. It is also a haven for lifestyle and game farmers looking for a slice of the countryside life to practice leisure pursuits or enjoy their retirement years. However, amid the excitement of scoping out land, it’s important to focus on the crucial details and ask the right questions.

Before buying a farming real estate, it is critical to evaluate the purpose of the venture. Will the farm be primarily put to residential use? Or, do you intend it as the base of a large-scale farming operation? These questions will help you figure out if you’ll need more space to accommodate occupants, grow crops, raise animals, and store machinery – or less space because your wife and children will be the only inhabitants.

The next thing to look out for is the availability of support amenities and nearby facilities. Are community services and retail areas easily accessible, or an hour’s drive from the nearest town? You might not have a problem shopping for groceries every two weeks, but the proximity of emergency services and the time it will take responders to reach the farm should be carefully considered.  

If the farm has water, be sure to find out if it’s drinkable. A natural pond on the land is always a plus as it can help with watering livestock and crops. With these services at your disposal, you’ll not only be able to run the farm successfully but also ensure a very marketable property should you ever want to sell it down the road.

To minimise pitfalls and ensure the land you’re buying does not turn out to be a dud, it might take repeat visits or inspections to the farm and other nearby locations to identify potential risks in advance and how you can fix them.