How to Find a Rural Real Estate Agent

Are you interested in entering the rural real estate market but unsure about where to start? There seems to be a knowledge gap between rural and urban real estate information available online, and we are determined to help put the right information in front of you to help you make informed decisions.

The rural real estate market is different from the regular residential real estate market functions. Finding an agent that understands these nuances and has the right education and experience in rural living is essential.

Whether you are in search of land, an existing rural home, a commercial farm operation, a hobby farm or an equestrian facility, this blog will provide you with the considerations you should keep in mind when choosing a Realtor.

Beginning Your Search

Starting your search doesn’t have to be stressful. The first decision you will make is the desired area for your rural real estate. Whether this is a country property for a rural home or business, begin by refining your search area.

The best tip to help narrow your search is to choose to visit the towns/areas you are interested in. Get a sense of your surroundings, observe how far amenities are from the rural areas and consider heading into the closest towns to get a feel for the community.

Determining the area you are interested in will help your Realtor refine your search quickly and will, in many cases, limit your options to Real Estate agents who predominantly service those areas. The more interested you are in a particular area, the easier it will be to filter out Realtor choices.

Set a Budget

The next conversation you will want to weigh out is setting a budget. Rural Real Estate functions differently from urban real estate because prices vary depending on area and expectations.

Begin by meeting with a mortgage broker and determining the amount you are pre-approved for. If you already own an existing home which you plan on selling, look into popular real estate agents/ teams which offer opinions on values.

Having a concept of what your current home is worth, and or what you are pre-approved for to buy a home/asset, is a strong initial step towards ownership.

On the hunt for more rural real estate resources? Read these blogs next!

Begin Filtering Options

In Wellington County, many agents and teams specialize in rural/country properties because they are commonly located on the outskirts of Guelph, Elora and Fergus. When you begin to look at Realtors, there are a few considerations you should know:

Experience: How long has this agent or team been working in the Rural Realm? How many country homes come up when you see their history?

Brokerage: What is the brokerage’s reputation, and do they have a positive reputation within the community?

Values: What are the values of the agent and or the team? (Look into their social media and website for hints of this)

Education: Do any of the agents/ the agent have a degree in anything related to Real Estate/ Market analytics or Agriculture?

Special Courses: If they don’t have an education, have they taken any certification programs?

Sale History: Browse their website to get an idea of the homes and properties they have sold. Are there a lot of rural properties? Have they sold country homes? Google Reviews: What do others have to say about this agent and or their team?

Why Choosing the Right Agent Matters

The rural marketplace will introduce differences from the urban market that inexperienced agents and teams may be unaware of. Let’s say you are looking to purchase a home with acreage… here are some of the differences between urban and rural:

Urban Homes with Acreage

Rural Homes with Acreage

Topography: Human Modified, Flat and Dry

Zoning: Commonly Residential

Proximity to City: Often close to amenities, healthcare and schools/ workplaces

Utilities: Commonly served by municipal utilities that are run by the city

Topography: Dense, Potentially On Flood Plane, Different Restrictions and Easements

Zoning: Can be Agricultural, Residential, Commercial or Mixed– limited what your able to do with the land

Proximity: May be far from schools, outside of the bus district, have limited amenities or far from the closest pharmacy/medical care

Utilities: Not all rural areas offer municipal utilities and most of the time the kinds of utilities available will differ depending on the individual lot

The Most Important Consideration

Whether you are looking to buy land or a country home, it is up to your Realtor to find comparables. A Realtor with expertise in the rural realm can look at their own deals they have done in the area, and will have the database, skill and knowledge to target a specific area for comparable listings.

If you are looking to sell rural, you will need an agent who knows how to hone in on their resources to provide you with the best, most helpful information.

The majority of country properties do not have a direct comparable. This means that it is up to your Realtor to find close matches and track previous market data to form a price. It takes an agent with an understanding of this market to do this effectively. In the case of selling your property, you can risk pricing too high and losing interest or pricing too low and missing out on an opportunity.

On the other hand, if you’re buying with an agent who is not experienced in rural comparables in the area, you risk overpaying or missing out on due diligence that will cost you in the future.

Important Tips For Rural Buyers & Sellers

Now you might be ready to begin looking for an agent, so let’s go over some key tips for buyers and sellers

Sellers: Ensure you are interviewing agents and asking them the right questions. Some key points to consider include their expertise, their sold and bought properties in the last year and the legacy/reputation of the brokerage they are employed under.

Look into these agents Selling Catalogues/Guides and see how their values and support systems weigh in on your non-negotiables. Consider how they brand themselves and the message that their website and social media sends to the public.

Buyers: Interview multiple agents and compare what they are willing to offer you with your wants and needs. Consider how much time they have to delegate to helping you, and if they are an individual agent or have the support of a team.

Focus on reading into their buying package and see what the different teams do differently, and how these differences stack up. Finally, ask them about their experience working with buyers and how many buyers have bought with them or their team in the last year.

Interested in buying a farm? Check out these blogs next!

Buying and Selling With Capstone REPS

At Capstone REPS, we specialize in rural and residential real estate in Wellington County. We have closed over 1,000 homes and represent over 700 million dollars in collective sales in our area.

We are a team of Real Estate Agents who are focused on community and local living. Each of our agents is passionate about giving back to the community that we are a part of. Through organizations such as Women In Crisis, The Children’s Foundation and the Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation, we are actively involved in making a difference in the lives of those living in Wellington County.

We Understand Rural Real Estate

With extensive expertise in the field and the education/ degrees to back our success… our CapstoneREPS handle rural transactions with confidence and assurance. From utilities to zoning and restrictions, we have the experience to back our clients’ best interests and work through properties with unique features with full due diligence through and through.

At Capstone, you don’t just get one Real Estate Professional; your interests are backed by a team of like-minded professionals. From ongoing media and marketing strategy, to an enlarged database of over 10,000 local contracts and the peace of mind of real-time help 24/7… we are here to give you the skill and assurance you’re looking for.

So why wait… if you are looking to get into the market, we would love to provide you with the stats for your area and get to know you and your needs. Schedule a free meeting with us today, no commitment required, and learn more about the market by simply filling out the form that applies to you.