Buying and Selling Farmland and Pastures
For nearly three decades, Greif & Meyer has been appraising and brokering farmland and pastureland of all sizes and soil qualities throughout Germany. If you’re looking to buy farmland or pastureland — or if you’d like to sell your property —our team will personally guide you through the entire process, from valuation to marketing and negotiation, all the way through to the purchase agreement.
We bring our technical and business expertise to the table and have a thorough understanding of the legal framework governing the land market. With us, you can make your decision with confidence—and we’ll be there to guide you every step of the way.
The property consists of a total of approximately 3.49 hectares of grassland divided into four subplots. Sale of subplots: The sale...
The property consists of approximately 1.3 hectares of flat, high-quality arable land accessible via a farm road.
It is a grassland area of approximately 1.8 ha, with a small forested portion of approximately 0.07 ha.
The property consists of a total of approximately 6.2 hectares of permanent pasture, approximately 4.6 hectares of cropland, and 1.4 hectares of forest, divided among six...
A total of approximately 10.4 hectares of agricultural land is being sold, which, in terms of land use, is broken down as follows...
The approximately 13.5-hectare plot of flat farmland, which is of good quality and has good road access, can be purchased in the fall of 2027...
These consist of four plots of farmland with a total area of approximately 0.7 ha, as well as a recreational area with a...
The approximately 1.9-hectare, flat, rectangular plot of farmland has good soil quality and is accessible via a...
The property consists of a total of approximately 21 ha of consolidated farmland. The land is being sold in separate parcels (individual parcel sizes approx. 6.4...
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)...
This is a well-defined arable land parcel with an average arable index of approximately 55. It is very good...
These consist of three fields with good soil quality and a smaller area of forest or succession land.
It is an approximately 1.4-hectare area of grassland with scattered trees, which is currently used as a sheep pasture...
These are four fields with a total area of approximately 3.7 hectares. They are flat to gently sloping and...
These are two adjacent, well-shaped plots of farmland (approx. 1.7 ha and approx. 2.5 ha) with good to very good soil quality....
The property comprises a total of approx. 0.9 ha of agricultural land. Of this, approx. 0.7 ha is grassland and...
The total size is 126,450 m², of which: approx. 22,961 m² is grassland and approx. 103,486 m² is...
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...
It is a small area of grassland/pasture.
It is approximately 1 hectare of arable land. It is flat and has medium to good soil quality.
A total of approximately 26.5 hectares of farmland in the Zülpicher Börde is being sold. The sale of individual parcels is...
This is a small area of grassland with a small wooded area on the outskirts of Barntrup. The...
The land is grassland and woodland. Total size approx. 12 ha, of which approx. 5.5 ha are grassland...
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 and Selling Farmland and Pastures in Four Steps
When buying or selling farmland or pasture, simply signing the documents at the notary’s office is not enough. The contracts require official approval before ownership can be transferred; for larger parcels, a potential right of first refusal may also apply. Anyone who understands the four steps involved can plan their timeline and budget more realistically, whether they are buying or selling.
1
Coming Together
Seller: We determine the price of your property, coordinate the marketing efforts with you, and seek out suitable prospective buyers.
Buyers: You can create a search profile or find suitable properties in our current listings. We initially offer some of the properties to our pre-registered prospective buyers.
2
Review and Confirm Price
Sales Representative: We compile the documents and information that potential buyers request and need to make their decision, and we conduct the negotiations. That’s how we find the buyer who’s the right fit for your property.
Buyers: You will receive all relevant information in the property brochure and during a personal consultation with us: location, access, floor plan, maps, information regarding soil quality, lease terms, and any encumbrances listed in the land registry.
Together: We facilitate the process of bringing the parties together and bring both sides to the table until the seller and buyer agree to do business with each other and the price and all terms have been finalized. Only then do we go to the notary together.
3
Notarize a sales contract
We provide the notary with all the information he needs to draft the contract: details about the parties, the property being sold, and any special circumstances. The notary prepares the draft, and the buyer and seller sign the purchase agreement at his office. For most land sales, the contract does not take effect until approval is granted under the Real Estate Transactions Act. The notary submits the application.
4
Approval and Handover
If the contract is legally binding—often only after approval has been received in accordance with the Real Property Transactions Act—the buyer pays upon receiving the notary’s notice of due date, the property is transferred, and the land register is updated.
The Cost of Farmland and Pastures
There is no uniform price per hectare for all of Germany, as the market values of agricultural land vary significantly from region to region and, within a municipality, also depend on soil quality. Alluvial soils, such as those in the Rhineland, are among the most expensive arable lands in the country, while grassland is significantly cheaper than arable land almost everywhere.
Three factors determine the price of a plot of land:
- Soil quality has the greatest weight per hectare, as measured by soil points, water permeability, and stoniness.
- In the region, the key factors are the municipality's standard land value and the number of businesses looking for land locally.
- When it comes to land division and leasing, contiguous, easily accessible tracts without long-term lease commitments yield higher returns than scattered, leased parcels.
We’ll determine a realistic price range for your property based on the standard land value, current market prices in the region, and our own transaction history. Please contact us.
Should I sell or lease the land?
If you own farmland or pasture but no longer farm it yourself, you have two options. We can guide you through both and give you honest advice on which one is right for your situation.
Sell
When you sell, you receive the full value immediately and incur neither administrative burdens nor risk. We determine the price range and reach out to farmers and investors in the region. If the land is part of a farm, we recommend selling both together, as farms with land are in much higher demand.
Lease
When you lease your land, you retain ownership and generate ongoing lease income. This is a good option if you want the land to remain in the family or if selling it would be disadvantageous from a tax perspective. The lease agreement is crucial here, as it specifies the term, the lease payment, and the conditions for managing the land. We’re also happy to assist you in drafting it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cropland and Pastureland
Would you like more detailed advice? We'd be happy to answer your questions! Give us a call or send us a message.
Purchase prices vary considerably from region to region, which is why there is no nationwide standard price per hectare. In addition to location, they depend, among other factors, on soil quality, size and layout, existing lease agreements, and, above all, local demand. The standard land value, published purchase prices for agricultural land, and actual local transactions serve as benchmarks. North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) leads the way in terms of prices; here, an average of over €90,000.00 per hectare is paid for farmland. We evaluate each plot individually and provide you with a realistic price range.
In principle, yes; however, under the Real Property Transactions Act, the 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 value of the property. 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 requirement to obtain approval under the Real Estate Transactions Act is 1 hectare. You can read about the rules that apply in the individual federal states in our article on the Real Estate Transactions Act.
Arable land is plowed and used to grow crops, while grassland is used permanently as meadows or pastures. These areas are usually less expensive, but generally cannot be converted to arable land without a permit. For livestock farmers, however, grassland is often more valuable than arable land as pasture and forage.
You can find suitable farmland in our current listings or by creating a search profile with us. A large portion of the land is never publicly listed because the sellers wish to keep it confidential. If you let us know your preferred region and the desired size, we’ll be the first to notify you of new listings.
A sale provides the full value immediately and eliminates the administrative burden and risk. With a lease, you retain ownership and generate ongoing income, but you’ll need a carefully drafted lease agreement. If the land is part of a farm, selling it as a whole is usually the best solution.
Greif & Meyer brokers farmland and pastureland throughout Germany. A particularly large number of properties are located in North Rhine-Westphalia and neighboring regions, from the Rhineland through the Eifel to the Bergisches Land.
Arable land and grassland buy or sell - with sound expert knowledge
Our expert advisors are trained in agricultural and forestry sciences or in real estate management. This enables us to appraise agricultural landin accordance with professional standards and market conditions and to expedite the purchase or sale.
Our understanding of agriculture helps us grasp the reasoning behind your decisions—for example, when a farm wants to secure its feed supply or ensure that land remains in the family.
Even after the contract is signed, we're here to support you—for example, when an agricultural lease agreement is signed or the future use of a piece of land is being planned.
Appraisal and Comprehensive Service
Greif & Meyer provides personalized support throughout the entire marketing process and handles the following tasks:
- Determining the Market Value of Your Property
- Analysis of the Regional Land Market
- Developing a marketing strategy that suits your space
- Preparation and presentation in a compelling prospectus
- Advertisements online and in relevant agricultural print media
- Organization and implementation of inspections and negotiations
During the evaluation, we examine, among other things, the size and layout, location and access, soil quality and topography, opportunities and limitations for cultivation, the leasing situation, encumbrances and restrictions, as well as the potential for other types of use. Based on this analysis, you will learn the actual market value of your land and how it can best be utilized or marketed.
Agricultural Land – Selling and Investing Responsibly
Buying or selling farmland and pasture is often a far-reaching decision that has implications for generations to come. That is why we provide you with discreet advice backed by our many years of experience.
When you purchase land as an investment, factors such as the purchase price, ongoing lease income, and the terms of existing lease agreements all play a role.
For tax and legal matters, we consult with specialized attorneys and tax advisors from our network, which we have built up over decades. Because we have been working with these experts for a long time, you will receive support on all matters that go beyond the scope of our brokerage services.
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!