Buying and Selling Agricultural Real EstateYour Specialist Broker for Agricultural Real Estate, Nationwide
Greif & Meyer provides support for the purchase and sale of agricultural land and farms throughout Germany. Since 1997, our Cologne-based company has specialized exclusively in rural real estate.
We understand both sides of the market: farmers and investors looking for arable land or pasture, as well as landowners who want to sell or transfer their farms.
In this particular market, trust among all parties involved is just as important as expertise and in-depth market knowledge. To provide the necessary expertise, our team includes agronomists, forestry engineers, and real estate professionals. Together, we’ll help you make the right decision for your project.
Total area: 7,625 m², of which approximately 998 m² is residential land within the inner area and approximately 6,627 m² is grassland....
Total area: 8,024 m², of which approximately 800 m² is residential land within the property, approximately 778 m² is courtyard/building area, and...
These are mostly older mixed stands of English oak, European beech, and European hornbeam, a...
Total area: 2,225 m², of which approximately 850 m² is residential land within the property boundaries, and approximately 1,267 m² is courtyard and...
Total size 38,447 m², of which approx. 1,839 m² on residential building land in the inner area, approx. 2,189 m² on courtyard and...
It is an idyllically situated pond complex complete with fishing huts. The total area is approximately...
For sale is a well-maintained square-shaped farmstead in a quiet, rural residential area, consisting of a two-family home and...
The property consists of approximately 3.25 hectares of farmland with a building permit already issued for the...
These consist of one larger and one smaller plot of farmland with average soil ratings.
These are three flat and well-accessible farm fields with average (two fields) and good (one field)...
The well-maintained farmstead consists of a residential building and various barns and other farm buildings. A...
It is a rounded grassland area with good road connections.
These are two contiguous areas. The larger area is approximately 21.6 hectares in size, flat, and very well accessible...
This is a very well-kept farmstead of a former agricultural business with extensive facilities.
For reasons of discretion, we only present an excerpt from our extensive portfolio on our website. For a direct consultation, please get in touch with a contact person from our specialized division - click here to contact us. Click here to get in touch.
Buying Agricultural Real Estate
Agricultural real estate refers to all properties that are currently used or have been used for agricultural purposes. This includes arable land and pasture, farms with land, buildings, and, in some cases, livestock, as well as farmsteads and farm complexes of various sizes. Since buyers, prices, and regulations vary by category, you’ll find each one on its own page. By the way:Our offerings alsoinclude sites for renewable energy .
We broker farmland, meadows, and pastures—from individual parcels to large land packages. These properties may be suitable for personal farming, leasing, use as compensation land, or as an investment.
We broker farms as a whole: including land, buildings, and farm assets. Our properties include arable farms, dairy farms, suckler cow farms, and specialty crop farms.
Farmsteads and abandoned farms—with or without land—can continue to be farmed, lived in, or repurposed, for example, for keeping horses, as a workshop, or for vacation rentals. Farms with land that is owned are in particularly high demand.
What Makes the Agricultural Land Market Unique
The purchase or sale of farmland, grassland, and forest land is subject to different rules than those governing building land. Under the Real Property Transactions Act, a purchase agreement generally requires approval from a government agency. This agency reviews whether the land would be better utilized by a farmer seeking to expand their operation, whether the land is being divided in an uneconomical manner, and whether the purchase price is commensurate with the land’s value. If the review reveals that the sale raises concerns regarding agricultural structure, a non-profit land corporation may step into the contract under the Reich Settlement Act (right of first refusal). However, this applies only to plots above a certain size—2 hectares under federal law. The federal states have their own regulations. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the threshold for the approval requirement under the Real Estate Transactions Act is 1 hectare.
There are additional special provisions: Construction projects and expansions in outdoor areas are generally permitted only if the project serves an agricultural operation (Section 35 of the BauGB) and thus qualifies for agricultural privileges.
For leased land, the principle “a purchase does not terminate a lease” applies: The buyer assumes the existing lease agreement. Land lease agreements are often entered into for several years; for terms of more than two years, the written form is required.
The standard land values established by the appraisal committees serve as a guide for property valuation. These values are set for each standard value zone and may therefore vary within a municipality.
When it comes to the sale of family-owned property, there is an additional layer to consider: Often, communities of heirs or multiple generations make decisions together; furthermore, rights of residence and retirement benefits—as well as the Farmland Act in some federal states—may need to be taken into account.
Greif & Meyer in figures
10489
hectares of farmland
2314
hectares of grassland
287
Farms and Remnant Farms
1769
Purchase and Lease Agreements
Running a Farm Without a Successor: Three Approaches
If no successor can be found to take over the farm, many owners are faced with the decision of whether to sell the entire property, sell only a portion of it, or lease it all out. These are the options we most frequently assist with:
Total Sales
In a complete sale, the farm, land, and equipment are sold to a single buyer. This creates clarity and usually yields the highest total price, since farms with their own land are in much higher demand than farmsteads alone. A complete sale is the most commonly chosen option.
Partial Sale with Lease-Back
In a partial sale, the farmhouse and the land are treated separately. For example, you might sell the farmhouse and lease the land, or you might do the opposite. After a complete sale, a partial sale is the most common solution.
Total Lease
You remain the owner and receive lease payments. For owners, however, this is usually the least favorable option: In our experience, leased farms are often neglected—only the bare minimum is maintained—so their value declines over the years. Anyone choosing this route should clearly stipulate maintenance requirements and the condition in which the property must be returned in the lease agreement, and should also clarify the tax implications in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Agricultural Real Estate
Would you like more detailed advice? We'd be happy to answer your questions! Give us a call or send us a message.
Agricultural real estate includes all properties that are or have been used for agricultural purposes. This includes arable land and pasture, farms with land, buildings, and, where applicable, livestock, as well as farmsteads and remnant farms with or without land, and land used for specialty crops. We treat forest land and sites for renewable energy separately.
Generally speaking, yes, but if the property exceeds a certain size, the purchase must be approved under the Real Property Transactions Act. To learn how the process works and what you, as a buyer, should keep in mind, please visit our page on farmland and grassland.
Purchase prices vary considerably from region to region, which is why there is no nationwide standard price per hectare. In addition to location and type of use, they depend, among other things, on soil quality, size and layout, existing lease agreements, and, above all, local demand. Nationwide, the average price for agricultural land in 2025 was approximately €35,000.00 per hectare. Arable land is more expensive than pasture: On average, approximately €40,000.00 per hectare was paid for arable land, and approximately €28,000.00 per hectare for pasture. North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) leads the way in terms of prices; here, an average of over €90,000.00 per hectare is paid for arable land. We evaluate each plot individually and provide you with a realistic price range.
Most owners opt for a full sale or a partial sale, in which they initially lease out the land. A full lease, on the other hand, is usually disadvantageous because, in our experience, leased farms are often neglected. For the sale, we determine the value of your farm, introduce you to suitable buyers, and guide you through the process until the notary appointment.
When purchasing a farm, the size of the land and the term of the lease agreements are just as important as soil quality and the condition of the buildings and equipment. Equally important are existing permits—such as those for livestock farming—the farm’s orientation, and the inventory included in the sale. A detailed property analysis conducted before the purchase will reveal the farm’s value.
We broker agricultural real estate throughout Germany. Many of our properties and farms are located in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Lower Saxony. If you’re interested in buying, we recommend that you create a search profile with us, specifying the region, land size, type of use, and other individual search criteria.
Personal Guidance for Buying and Selling Agricultural Real Estate
Farmland and farms are sold for a wide variety of reasons, such as the lack of a successor to take over the farm, a restructuring of the business, a need for liquidity, or an impending inheritance dispute.
Since such decisions often involve several generations, we handle your matter with the utmost confidentiality and remain your personal point of contact. In cases involving communities of heirs, we act as a neutral party to mediate between the co-owners, thereby helping to balance their interests.
The first step is a realistic valuation, for which we examine, among other things, the location, soil quality, lease and usage terms, existing building rights, and any registered rights and encumbrances.
Our Services for Buying and Selling Your Agricultural Real Estate
In addition to the property’s features, your real estate agent’s agricultural expertise, experience, and market access are key to a successful transaction. Greif & Meyer meets all these requirements and guides you through every step of the buying and selling process:
- Market valuation of your agricultural property and recommendation of an appropriate price range
- Design and Presentation of a Compelling Property Brochure
- Advertisements in agricultural trade publications, in the regional and national press, and on relevant real estate websites
- Organizing and Conducting Tours
- Credit check of prospective buyers
- Assistance with the Preparation of Notarized Purchase Agreements
Once the contract is signed, we’ll also assist you with the property handover and guide you through the initial steps of your new project.
Experience, expertise & network - your experts from Greif & Meyer
Through our network, you’ll have access to agricultural experts, investors, banks, specialized attorneys, and tax advisors. We’ve been working with many of these partners for years, so we know exactly who can help with which issue. This is evident, for example, when financing a purchase, addressing tax issues related to a sale, or evaluating unique properties.
This is how we bring the right buyers and sellers together and, when necessary, provide the expert advice you need to make your decision. Our team is passionate about ensuring that your property ends up in the right hands.
We will be happy to help you!
Do you have any questions about your property or would you like a market value assessment? We are here for you! Greif & Meyer provides you with professional support for the sale and all matters relating to your property. Use our contact form or get in touch with us directly - we look forward to hearing from you!