| 61 T T Sue Russell Life-style specialists “Life-style size properties are where a lot of our business is centred,” says Dannevirke real estate professional Craig Boyden. PROPERTY For Farms (NZ) With many years in the rural property sector behind him Dannevirke real-estate professional Craig Boyden of ‘For Farms’ says living and working in a small town is a wonderful thing. Craig, along with business partner Peter Clayton, established For Farms in 1999, having merged their respective Real Estate Business of J.R. Boyden Ltd and Southern Hawkes Bay Real Estate into For Farms (NZ) Ltd and For Homes (NZ) Ltd, operating under the same roof. “Peter worked for my father and it just made sense then to bring our years of experience together so we could continue to deliver the very best service to our clients both residential and rural/life-style,” Craig says. Whilst specialising in Rural Real Estate the bulk of rural work is around life-style properties of all sizes and situations in the focus catchment areas of Whanganui, in the west and Hawke’s Bay in the east, down from Manawatu, right across the range near Dannevirke. “It tends to be delienated with sheep and beef to the east and dairy to the west but increasingly with zoning changes and with an influx of people wanting to shift away from cities to their own patch, life-style size properties are where a lot of our business is centred.” In fact life-style accounts for approx. 70% of rural real-estate sales by way of volume and particularly over the last three years, these properties can range from a house in the country with a bit of land to people who are interested in taking on new forms of farming livestock and horticulture. “The cottage-industry sector is booming as people look to adopt new life-styles, particularly in the wake of Covid-19. We’re talking anything from Llama, donkeys, bison, worm farms and growing all manner of vegetable or fruit. It’s a pretty exciting space to work in.” Craig describes Covid as almost a ‘perfect storm’, chasing people out of the cities and into the towns in search of a quieter, less ‘hustle and bustle’ life-style. With the world going a little bit Green New Zealand following suit and with 23% of people working from home, moving to the countryside became an extremely popular option. Today, in excess of 75% of clients knock on For Farms’ door via the internet, however Craig says one important policy, that clients must physically view a property before deciding to purchase, is strictly adhered to. “Post-Covid we were having offers from all over New Zealand come in making it more important than ever that clients set foot on the property and really feel what it is like.” Craig acknowledges that when the internet really took hold, he was nervous that it would open up the credible real-estate operator to competing with anyone capable of taking a photo and uploading on to the net. “I soon realised though that at the end of the day when it comes to signing the piece of paper, you’re dealing with two human beings and this is where good people skills, warmth, interest and understanding all come into play.” Asked, with so many years under his belt, about the key attributes that make a great realtor Craig says that first and foremost its about being honest and having people skills. “These can’t necessarily be taught but they can be improved.” Craig began his journey in real-estate gaining formal valuation credentials. “Through Massey University where I trained and Lincoln University there are lots of people who have gone down the Valuation path.” And linking with rural organisations is something Craig says is all-important, not only as a real-estate professional but also very much as part of the community. He is Chairperson of the Dannevirke Sports Club and encourages anyone to get involved in a community-based group. “Volunteering is wonderful and gives everyone the chance to be part of something bigger, bringing real value to the community they belong to. Tararua’s largest supplier of constructionmaterials Tumu is pleased to have worked with For Farms (NZ) Ltd for many years. i l i NZ) . We wish them a long and successful future. . Simon Curran Principal, Dip. AG, B.B.S, C.A. ( HELPING GROW YOUR CLOVER AND CASH ) we know farming at its grass roots at MCI & Associates, Talk to us today or visit us at: www.mcia.co.nz Dannevirke: (06) 374 7059 Pahiatua: (06) 376 7476 38 Denmark St Dannevirke Ph: 06 374 7089 www.dorrington.co.nz Proud to support For Farms (NZ) Ltd and the wider community of Hawkes Bay, Tararua and the Wairarapa. Dorrington Poole L A W Y E R S Est. 1914
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