In The Spotlight - Agent Michael Burke

McGrath’s Rural and Livestock specialists make life on the land a reality of tree changers

The COVID-driven tree-change movement and drought-breaking rainfall have combined to breathe new life into many rural communities throughout the eastern states.

Just as the pandemic made people reflect on where and how they wanted to live, months of welcomed rain rejuvenated parched lands in many of Australia’s livestock grazing and breeding regions. (Unfortunately, some regions received more rain than they wanted).

After stints in the city, country-raised people are returning. From hobby farms with enough land for chickens, a large vegetable garden and maybe even a pony, through to properties big enough for small crop farming, demand to live and work on the land has never been stronger.

On commercial farming and grazing practices, the newly greened valleys and plains are welcoming the next generations of family farming partnerships.

McGrath Upper Hunter’s Michael Burke has been at the forefront of the current wave of activity, being sought-out by sellers of rural lifestyle properties, agribusinesses, livestock and bloodstock – the region is a world-recognised breeding ground for thoroughbreds – for his expertise.

In fact, his expertise has won him the title of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales’ Rural Marketer of the Year for 2022.

“What was taking three to five months to sell three years ago, is now transacting within 20-30 days,” said Mr Burke said of the current demand.

“We have a broad agricultural industry and based on record farmgate prices being enjoyed by graziers and large crop farmers alike, there's plenty of interest from buyers who have hopes for capital gains.”

Brilliant seasonal conditions have seen farmland values surge. According to Rural Bank, the price for farmland jumped to $7087 per hectare at start of 2022, an increase of 20% in 12 months.

Mr Burke said: “Purchasers are very diverse: from new generations of family farming partnerships though to managed funds who remain committed to the sector’s outlook. “It continues to be an exciting time on the land.”

And just as city and coastal homeowners enjoyed rising property values over the last two years, the tree change movement has seen the time taken to sell residential properties in many country markets plummet.

According to July data released by CoreLogic, days on market had reduced over the last year in:

NSW

• Central West - from 48 to 34 over the year
• The Hunter Valley – from 29 to 25
• New England – from 72 to 43

Victoria

• Hume – from 31 to 24
• Gippsland – from 31 to 24

Queensland

• Central Queensland – from 42 to 30

John McGrath, founder of McGrath, said Mr Burke was an influential member of the brand’s network rural and livestock throughout the eastern states.

"For nearly 20 years, rural sellers have been seeking-out Michael for his commitment to service, unmatched experience and relationships across spectrum of the sector,” said Mr McGrath.

“He sets the standard in a sector that's enjoyed a remarkable growth across agricultural commodities and property.

“He’s a passionate member of our McGrath Rural and Livestock network which is helping sellers find premium outcomes in a changing market.”

Since launching in 2020, McGrath Rural and Livestock has managed a string of top property sales in the sector, including properties at:

• Womera and Springville, Molong, NSW – Properties totaling 2387 acres and 1112.5 acres, respectively, features included cattle and sheep yards, machinery sheds, a four-bedroom residence and manager’s cottage with frontages to Weandre and Nubrygyn creeks (Sold $11.4m)
• Timor Creek, Timor, NSW – The Upper Hunter trophy property encompasses 32 paddocks and 6 kilometres of fencing across 1679ha from which topping weaners and quality bloodstock have been sold. The property also included a beautifully restored rural homestead (Sold above the $11.25m bank valuation)
  
• Braebrook, Sutton Forest NSW – Set across two titles totaling 81.79ha, the property included a stately four-bedroom three-bathroom property overlooking land suitable for thoroughbred breeding / spelling or cattle breeding / fattening (Sold $9.4m)
• Bundaleer East, Greenlands NSW – 2011 acres of quality grazing land, agricultural improvements and 31 dams, including several that are spring-fed (Sold $5.125m)
  
• Yarrawa Road, Mossvale, NSW – Spread over 90 acres with a dairy and cattle crush, the property included a three-bedroom home (Sold $5m)
  

If you’re wanting to find out how rural property and livestock is performing, contact our McGrath specialists, today.