Uncategorized April 23, 2018

1st Quarter 2018 Equestrian Property Sales Results

Uncategorized March 13, 2018

How to get the most money for your horse farm without spending a lot of money

As a Realtor who specializes in listing and selling horse properties in Western Washington, I’m often asked by sellers what they should do to get their horse farms ready for sale.  So… I thought I’d compile a list of recommendations – things that don’t cost much money but will maximize your sale price.   It’s important to understand that a prospective buyer will only be interested in seeing your property if it checks off enough boxes on their “must haves” list.  Stall count, arenas, pastures, tack rooms and of course the house itself are all included on that list.  Your task as a seller is to improve your property before it goes on the market so that it checks off as many of those boxes as possible.  It seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many people are unwilling to put the effort into preparing their property for sale.  Don’t be one of those people!  If you need guidance, I’d be happy to help.  Just give me a call or email me.  My contact information is below.

Pressure wash everything:  Fencing, painted wood and vinyl look terrible after the winter so pressure wash all of it.  Pressure wash mud and dirt off the interior and exterior of your outbuildings, get rid of the dust and cobwebs inside your barn and get moss off the roofs.  Touch up paint while you’re at it.

Create an arena if you don’t have one: A lot of people have a riding pad somewhere on their property, but they never go to the trouble of fencing it or bringing in footing.  Fence your riding area and drag the ground so we can photograph it as an arena and market it as such in the MLS.

Declutter the grounds, house and barn: Get rid of everything that doesn’t have a permanent home under a roof.  This applies to extra vehicles, tractors, tractor implements, wheelbarrows and anything that’s just out in the open and covered with a blue tarp.  That moldy 1980’s horse trailer with flat tires and the truck that doesn’t run have to go.

Maximize your stall count: I often see barns that only have two stalls (because the owners only have two horses) but that still have space for additional stalls.  Finish those out with walls so we can market your barn as having four stalls instead of a two.

You can’t have too much gravel: If you have a gravel driveway or gravel parking areas around your barn, make sure they don’t have potholes or standing water.  I can’t tell you how many times my buyers have been turned off by a property simply because of a rutted, muddy driveway.

Fix broken fencing: Whether you have board or vinyl fencing, make sure it’s in good shape.  Get rid of chewed or broken boards and rotted posts.  Make sure all of the gates are operating properly.  If you have wire fencing in your pastures, make sure it’s tightened all the way around.  If you have wire fenced paddocks next to the barn for direct turn out, I recommend replacing the wire with wood or vinyl.

Get rid of standing water: Mud is your enemy.  If you have standing water in paddocks, arenas or other areas, trench it, install drainage tubes and get the water away from the structures and riding areas.  Make sure all your gutters are in place and working properly to keep water away from the house and outbuildings.  Put down gravel in paddocks if they are muddy.

Mow everything: Mow your pastures and yard areas prior to photography and keep them mowed regularly while the property is on the market.

 

Jeff Williams has been riding and showing American Quarter Horses since childhood and is a top producing Realtor with Windermere in Tacoma, Washington.  If you have questions about this information, please contact Jeff at (253) 303-1135 or email him at JeffWilliams@Windermere.com.

Uncategorized January 26, 2018

4th Quarter 2017 Equestrian Property Sales Data by County

Uncategorized October 26, 2017

Equestrian Property Values Rise Again in 3rd Quarter

Uncategorized July 21, 2017

Equestrian Property Values Edge Higher in the Second Quarter

Uncategorized April 20, 2017

Prices for Western Washington Horse Properties Continue to Climb

Uncategorized January 11, 2017

Low Inventory of Equestrian Properties Drives Higher Prices

Uncategorized October 18, 2016

3rd Quarter Prices are Up and Inventory Remains Low

EquestrianNewsletter_October2016_Cover-2 (994x1280)EquestrianNewsletter_October2016_Inside-1 (983x1280)EquestrianNewsletter_October2016_Inside-2 (1006x1280)

 

Uncategorized July 25, 2016

Median Sales Prices Increase in the 2nd Quarter

SS_Equestrian_July2016_Cover-1 (985x1280)SS_Equestrian_July2016_Inside-1 (983x1280)SS_Equestrian_July2016_Inside-1 (2) (983x1280)

Uncategorized April 29, 2016

Secluded 40 Acre Equestrian Estate – $1,250,000

OVERVIEW

This beautiful gated equestrian estate is surrounded by rolling hills and pastures. The property was originally part of the Guske Homestead, established in the late 1880s, and several historic structures still remain. The massive timber main lodge was built in 1987 and is sited to take full advantage of a magnificent Mount Rainier view. An impressive entry hall leads directly to the main wing of the house with open living and dining areas. Features of this dramatic living space include clear pine floors, a massive stone fireplace, double height ceilings with exposed log construction and a bank of French doors that open to a wrap-around deck overlooking a large spring-fed pond. The eat-in kitchen is open to the main living space and features granite counters, a breakfast bar, a Traulsen commercial grade refrigerator, a secondary Subzero refrigerator, a convection cook-top, Jennair double ovens and a large pantry. The entry hall also provides access to a bedroom currently used as an office and a bathroom with shower. The private master retreat is located upstairs with vaulted wood beam ceilings, a gas fireplace, a loft area, two walk-in closets and a large bathroom with a soaking tub, a stone-walled shower and sauna. The secondary wing of the lodge offers a large family room with gas fireplace, two additional bedrooms and another bathroom. The lodge is served by two separate heating and air conditioning systems for maximum comfort and control. The attached three car garage has a large utility room with sink.

HISTORIC CARETAKER'S HOUSE

The caretaker's house was built in 1905. The main floor includes formal living and dining rooms, an eat-in kitchen and a half bath. Three bedrooms and a full bath are located upstairs. The home also features an unfinished basement, a large carport and a rustic barn that currently serves as a garage.

HORSE FACILITIES

This impressive equestrian facility was designed by Frank Gaunt, one of the top ten racing Thoroughbred owners at Emerald Downs. Gaunt designed the facility primarily for his broodmares and yearlings and for horses in need of rehabbing off the track. The horse components include an approximately 60' x 60' main barn, a 40' x 76' pole barn and a newer 80' x 120' indoor arena. The main barn features six 10' x 12' stalls with direct turn-out, one double sized stall for veterinarian usage, a large concrete center aisle with space for additional stalls if needed, access to a 30 ton hayloft above, a covered wash rack, a two bay shop/garage and a large heated tack room/office with a half bath. The pole barn currently has seven run-in stalls with room for more.

LAND

This gated parcel consists of forty acres of prime pasture land. The grounds offer mature landscaping, old growth fir and cedar trees, three fully fenced dry pastures and three separate paddocks, each with its own loafing shed. A fenced lane off the main barn provides horses with access to separate paddocks and pastures, making pasture rotation easy. Three separate septic systems service the lodge, the caretaker's house and the barn. There are two spring-fed ponds and two separate private wells. An adjacent treed 20 acre parcel is also available for sale.