Investing in Equestrian Property: Don't Horse ... - RealEstate.com

Investing in equestrian property is the ideal solution for horse owners who don?t want to rent a livery stable. If you are planning to own your property for a long time, the extra expense involved in purchasing a property with land suitable for horses could turn out to be a good investment over the years.

Competition for equestrian property can be intense, so it?s worth knowing exactly what to look for in order to act quickly when a suitable property comes on the market. Here is an essential guide to the most important things to consider when choosing your equestrian property.

Stables

It?s all well and good buying a property with a large patch of land for your horses, but you will also have to keep them in suitable stables. A property complete with stables will probably have a higher asking price, but it could save you a lot of money and hassle in the long term. Even small stables can cost thousands of dollars to construct, and larger stables can cost tens of thousands.

If there are no stables, you may have to get planning permission to erect them yourself, so always find out whether this is going to pose any difficulties before you invest in a property.

Land Requirements

You are going to need a lot of land to look after a horse properly. How much exactly? The answer depends on whether the pasture is of a high quality and how many horses you have (as well as how large they are). However, as a general guide, aim for at least 1 acre of land per small horse, but preferably more.

Also, make sure that you plan ahead. You may want to keep more horses on your land in the future, and you will need to think about this in advance to avoid having to sell up again a few years down the line.

Location

You should also pay close attention to the location of the property in relation to nearby bridleways and riding schools. If you plan to take your horses out regularly, then it is a good idea to reduce travel times as much as possible.

Getting In and Out

You are going to need to take your horse out from time to time, so having suitable access to your property is essential. Will you be able to move your horses in and out of the property without any problems? If the driveway is not suitable, then this may require some work, and this can significantly add to your overall costs.

Fencing

Suitable fencing is essential, and this means fencing that is strong enough and high enough to keep your horses safely inside the area. Hedges are not the best idea because they take a long time to grow and are not as reliable. Wooden fences are a better option. Fencing the entire enclosure will be quite expensive, so make sure that you are prepared for the costs involved. If you have a few acres of land, the cost can quickly rise to thousands of dollars.

Potential Dangers

Looking after a horse comes with many challenges, but one thing that you will have to think about is the hidden danger posed by weeds. Ragwort is dangerous for horses and can even kill them. Even worse, it?s hard to get rid of and spreads incredibly easily, so check the land carefully before you make any decisions on buying a property. Even better, check the surrounding fields as well because ragwort can spread to your field from a neighboring one, and you will have all sorts of problems trying to get rid of it.

Choose Your Equestrian Property With Care

Choosing an equestrian property is a decision that you should make very carefully. There is so much more involved in purchasing this type of property than a standard property, and there are many important factors to consider. Get you decision wrong, and you could find yourself spending a lot of money trying to rectify problems that you should have spotted in the first place. If you have any doubts, it is best to work alongside an agent who has experience in the local area and in equestrian properties to ensure that the purchase goes as smoothly as possible.

Sam Dressler has extensive experience as an investment property consultant. His articles mainly appear on property and investment blogs, where he passes on his expertise. Visit the Hamptons Equestrian Properties?for more information and ideas.

Tagged as: equestrian, equestrian property, fencing, horse, investing, land, real estate, stable

Source: http://www.realestate.com/advice/investing-in-equestrian-property-96212/

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