An improving rural economy with increasing demand for professional services on farms and estates throughout the northeast region has prompted property experts Bruton Knowles to strengthen its Northallerton office with the appointment of estate management specialist Mark Ludiman.
Mark, who joins Bruton Knowles after almost 12 years with Carter Jonas in Harrogate, has been appointed as an Associate at the seven-strong Northallerton office.
Team manager Philip Boothroyd said the firm was thrilled to have secured Mark’s services in the face of intense competition.
He commented that Mark’s appointment demonstrated the increased focus and energy which the firm is now putting towards the rural property sector throughout the northeast.
“Bruton Knowles is a very strong player in the rural marketplace in many parts of the country, and I am delighted to welcome Mark to Northallerton as part of the firm’s commitment to enhance our rural services throughout the region.
“With a strong estate management background, Mark will complement the existing and long-established rural professional services team and enable us to offer advice across every spectrum of the rural property scene. It is an exciting time as part of our growth in the region, and we look forward to working with new and existing clients as the economy continues to grow.”
Mark commented: “I will be working on the development of the firm’s rural offering across North Yorkshire and further afield, with a strong focus on assisting rural landowners with their land management and both strategic and day-to-day property requirements.
“We already have a good team in the office, and I look forward to complementing their existing strong client base. The rural economy continues to provide considerable opportunity for landowners and farmers, and I am delighted to be working for both new and existing Bruton Knowles clients as they develop their interests in the rural sector.
“There is nothing more exciting than seeing projects come to fruition for a landowner with considerable input from specialists in the firm, and we hope to see many such success stories in the next few years.”
With land prices frequently exceeding £12,000 per acre Mark said the rural property scene across North Yorkshire remained in rude health.
“This is primarily being driven by big and efficient farmers buying up land. But lifestyle buyers remain active in the sub-20 acre category. Either way, land prices are showing no sign of falling back any time soon.
“A lot of land is coming forward for development on the fringes of towns and villages – prompting farmers to compensate by buying up additional land in other locations. However it is always important for both buyers and sellers to be ahead of the market, which is where a good agent can make an impact on behalf of a client.”
Colleague Matthew Peters sold a brace of farms in North Yorkshire earlier this year – realising up to £15,000 per acre. Lingwood Farm on Selby Common, realised £300,000 while Grafton Lodge Lane Farm at Marton-cum-Grafton near York was sold in four lots realising a grand total of £1,159,000. Bruton Knowles had been instructed by North Yorkshire County Council on both sales.
