Buy and Sell Rural Properties, Farms, and Equestrian FacilitiesYour specialist real estate agent for rural properties throughout Germany
A farmstead with pastures, a manor house with grounds, an equestrian facility with an indoor arena: Rural properties are as diverse as the plans of their buyers. For nearly three decades, we’ve been brokering these properties, appraising your property, finding the right buyer or the right property for you, and guiding you through the process all the way to the notary appointment. We’re well-versed in the agricultural specifics of these properties, such as building regulations in rural areas, ongoing lease agreements, and historic preservation requirements. You’ll be personally supported by agricultural scientists, forestry engineers, and specialized real estate professionals from our team.
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...
The farmstead, which is in need of some renovation, consists of a residential building with a granny flat and basement garage, a...
Originally built in the middle of the 19th century, it is a remaining farmstead with a stable/garage building and...
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...
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...
Built in the early 19th century, this historic, listed quarry stone farm complex includes a residence and an inn,...
This is an exclusive, beautifully renovated mill estate that is currently operating as a charming bed-and-breakfast...
The magnificent palace estate consists of a front building with adjoining tower, a two-winged rear building, a...
The well-maintained farmstead consists of a residential building and various barns and other farm buildings. A...
The farmstead, which is partly in need of renovation, consists of a residential house with an adjoining stable building, a...
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 Rural Properties: Farms, Equestrian Facilities, Country Homes, and Historic Estates
The term “rural properties” encompasses four types of real estate that differ significantly in terms of use, price, and target buyer groups. Each type therefore has its own page where you can find current listings, pricing factors, and answers to frequently asked questions.
A historic farmstead is a former farm whose residence and outbuildings have been preserved. Most buyers live there and keep animals, while others run a business in addition to living there. Farmsteads with their own land are significantly more in demand than buildings alone.
The offerings range from stables for your own horses to equestrian centers with multiple indoor arenas. Here you’ll find stables and farms for private horse ownership, as well as price ranges starting at around 300,000 euros.
A country house or forest house offers a place to live in the countryside without an agricultural operation. Many of these homes are located in areas designated as “outlying” under building codes, which is why we check before purchasing to see what uses are permitted and what expansions are possible.
Palaces, castles, monasteries, and manor houses require expertise in historic preservation, maintenance, and usage plans. Greif & Meyer has brokered 71 historic properties and knows the buyers who are suitable for such properties.
Stables and Real Estate for Private Horse Ownership
We receive many inquiries from families who want to keep their horses at home and are looking for a stable with pasture. We list these properties alongside equestrian facilities because the same issues need to be clarified for both—such as how many stalls are permitted, what land is included, and whether outdoor expansion is allowed. On our page dedicated to equestrian facilities and horse properties, you’ll therefore find listings ranging from small stables with paddocks to full-scale equestrian centers.
If you’re looking for a former farm with stables, it’s also worth checking out the farm complexes and remaining farmsteads that are suitable for both raising animals and living on. Properties suitable for horsekeeping have been a focus of Greif & Meyer for years. To date, we have brokered 81 equestrian facilities.
Sell a Country Estate
If you’d like to sell your farm, equestrian facility, or country home, the process begins with a realistic appraisal of the property. We then prepare the property for marketing and present it to prospective buyers who are a good match, without the need for a public listing. Buyers of rural properties are as diverse as the properties themselves. We connect properties with families who own horses, self-sufficient individuals, entrepreneurs who combine living and working in one location, and investors who value having their own land. We’ve come to know these buyers through nearly three decades of brokerage experience.
Since 1997, we have been arranging
287
Farms and Remnant Farms
81
Riding facilities
66
Country houses
71
Historical real estate
Frequently Asked Questions About Rural Properties
Here, we answer the questions we're asked most often. If you'd like to know more, please call us or send us a message.
We define a rural property as a residential property located in a rural area that includes outbuildings and, in most cases, its own land. This category includes former farmsteads and farm complexes, equestrian facilities, country homes, and forest lodges, as well as historic estates such as manors, stately homes, or castles. For all of these, location, land area, and zoning laws have a greater impact on value than they do for a house in the city.
The price range is wide, because a country house in need of renovation with no land has little in common with an equestrian facility featuring an indoor riding arena and its own pastures. A farmstead where horses can be kept starts at around 300,000 euros, while equestrian facilities with an indoor arena and boarding services, as well as large historic estates, are in the millions. The price is determined primarily by the land area, the location, the condition of the buildings, and building permits. We determine the specific value of each property individually for both buyers and sellers.
Private animal husbandry is permitted on most farms and properties with barns and pastures. If the property is located in an “outer zone” under building regulations, the permitting requirements determine how many stalls are allowed and whether you may expand the barns. We check this before every purchase. We explain when a farm is permitted to build in an outer zone in our article on agricultural privileges.
We list stables with pasture and a residence for private horse ownership alongside equestrian facilities, because the same issues regarding permits and land area apply to both. There you’ll find current listings ranging from small stables with paddocks to competition facilities. We offer many properties first to interested parties who have submitted a search profile before they are made public.
A country house is the right choice if you want to live in the countryside without having to maintain outbuildings or large tracts of land. A farmstead, on the other hand, offers stables, barns, and often its own land—providing space for animals, a workshop, or vacation rentals—but it also requires more maintenance. If you share your plans with us, we’ll give you our honest opinion on which type of property is the best fit.
Greif & Meyer brokers rural properties nationwide from its office in Cologne. We focus primarily on North Rhine-Westphalia and neighboring regions, from the Rhineland through the Eifel and the Bergisches Land to the Westerwald. Since 1997, we have brokered more than 280 farms and farmsteads, over 80 equestrian facilities, and around 70 historic properties.
Support with the Purchase and Sale of Rural Real Estate
Buying or selling a rural or historic property, a farm, or an equestrian facility raises questions that do not arise with ordinary residential real estate. We appraise the property, find the right buyer or the right property, and work with you to clarify the legal and financial details.
In doing so, we take into account the regulations governing planning, building, and historic preservation law, as well as your plans—such as living on the property while keeping pets, operating a business on the farm, or creating an event venue.
Living, Pets, and Self-Sufficiency on Your Own Property
On a rural estate, you live close to nature, raise your own animals, and provide for yourself from your garden and land. Some are drawn to the historic architecture, others to the expansive grounds, and still others simply to the peace and quiet of the countryside.
For each of these goals, we’ll find the right property and work with you to address any questions you may have regarding building codes and the financial viability ofreal estate in rural areas.
Real Estate for Horse Breeding, Equestrian Sports, and Private Horse Ownership
An equestrian facility offers space for sports, breeding, and sometimes even a career, all within a residential setting surrounded by nature. Equestrian sports have enjoyed steady popularity for years, especially in the recreational sector. Demand for equestrian properties is on the rise in areas where good infrastructure and a natural setting come together.
For buyers, a property like this is a tangible investment that also holds personal value.
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!