Early indications would suggest that land supply is slightly back in Westmeath in 2018. Last year 70 properties were brought to the market – with half of these being publicly auctioned.

So far in 2018, 38 farms have been offered in the county, with 20 of these being auctions. There are also fewer larger holdings coming to the market in the county, with eight properties over 100 acres on the market here in 2017, compared with just two this year.

Barring a major bust of supply in the back end of this year, it would seem supply will be down.

In saying that, some nice farms have come on the market in the last month. Dan Scally of Dan Scally Auctioneers in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, has a package located in Ardballymore, Ballinderry, Kilgarvin, near Kilbeggan.

Comprising of 52 acres, this residential property is described by Scally as fine fattening ground. Divided into four lots, including the entire, it is being offered via private treaty by the Westmeath-based auctioneer.

Lots

The first lot is the most substantial. This consists of the house, the farmyard and circa 35 acres of land. The house in question is a two-storey, four-bedroom farmhouse. Vacant for the last decade, it is in need of total refurbishment and investment.

The location of the house is practical, situated in the middle of the farm and beside the yard.

With no slatted facilities on the farm, the buildings include a three-bay hay shed with double lean-to and a number of older stone outbuildings. The hay shed is used for cattle and storage. Investment would be also required to extract the potential from these facilities.

The 35 acres of land have been rented out for the last circa 15 years. According to Scally, the land has been farmed in good heart, but a bit of work would benefit it.

The guide on this offering would be €300,000, or €8,500/ac.

The second lot is 12 acres of good land. Also rented for the last number of years, this parcel is good grazing grassland.

Just like lot one, it is located to the south of the M6 motorway. This lot is guided for circa €100,000, or €8,000/ac.

Lot three is almost five acres of land that is located away from the main farm. Situated to the north of the M6, it is a well-maintained field that is laid out in grass.

Also rented in recent times, it is guided for circa €55,000, or over €10,000/ac. According to Scally, there is site potential here and hope value is included in the price.

OfferinG

The holding is offered via private treaty. An executor’s sale, local farmers have expressed the most interest thus far. The guide for the entire is quoted at €450,000, or just over €8,600/ac.