DEMAND FOR LAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23621, 3 April 1940, Page 10

DEMAND FOR LAND

WATKATO PROPERTIES UP TO £7O AN ACRE PAID SMALL DAIRY FARMS SOUGHT [VnOM OUR OWN COUItRSI'OSnKS'r] JTAM f LTGN". Tatsiiny In spite of the unsettled conditions created by the -war, the demand for farm properties in the Wnikato has been greater In the past few months than for several years. Many properties have changed hands at firm prices, but the chief difficulty land agents nro experiencing is to find owners who are prepared to sell for a small deposit. .According to a Hamilton land agent, business people from the cities and towns are more and more coming to regard farms as one of the soundest investments available to-day. Properties have also been bought by importers whose businesses have, boon affected by the restrictions and who wish to invest any surplus capital they may have. Tho keenest demand exists for small dairy farms, up to 80 acres and situated near towns, tho reason given by many prospective buyers being that they would be unable to manage larger properties owing to difficulty in securing sufficient labour. A number of these properties have changed hands at prices ranging from £lO to £OO an acre, while some buyers have even been prepared to pay as much as £7O an acre. As in tho past, however, most owners are placing high deposits on their properties and this prevents many sales being completed. Tho average buyer is not willing to pay more than £11)00 as a deposit. Larger properties up to 000 acres, suitable for raising and fattoning cattle and sheep, are also meeting with considerable inquiry. Usually, this type of farm is not in keen demand until a good deal later in tho year.