Using an agent

[ImLost]

Up until now I have picked up land and sheds etc largely by word of mouth. I'm looking to expand quite a bit over the next few months and it's starting to get quite time consuming to look for a farm or even a yard/sheds I can use as a base. Farming isn't my full time work, and particularly when we are supposed to be in some kind of a lockdown it's difficult to get out and speak face to face with people who may potentially have something available.

My previous experiences with talking to agents about other things haven't been great, and not to tar them all with the same brush, but going by a lot of comments about agents on this forum I'm not alone (no doubt there are some pleasant to deal with ones out there)

My question is; now I'm at the point I mentioned in the first paragraph, would it be worth speaking to an agent to get help to find somewhere suitable?
If I speak to an agent, should I expect to be charged? If so, how much?? Or should I be speaking to as many agents as possible to get the word out and then they get their cut of the deal off a farm looking to let land/sheds etc out?

To make it clear, this is largely a cattle based enterprise.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Up until now I have picked up land and sheds etc largely by word of mouth. I'm looking to expand quite a bit over the next few months and it's starting to get quite time consuming to look for a farm or even a yard/sheds I can use as a base. Farming isn't my full time work, and particularly when we are supposed to be in some kind of a lockdown it's difficult to get out and speak face to face with people who may potentially have something available.

My previous experiences with talking to agents about other things haven't been great, and not to tar them all with the same brush, but going by a lot of comments about agents on this forum I'm not alone (no doubt there are some pleasant to deal with ones out there)

My question is; now I'm at the point I mentioned in the first paragraph, would it be worth speaking to an agent to get help to find somewhere suitable?
If I speak to an agent, should I expect to be charged? If so, how much?? Or should I be speaking to as many agents as possible to get the word out and then they get their cut of the deal off a farm looking to let land/sheds etc out?

To make it clear, this is largely a cattle based enterprise.

There are in my experience two types of Agent. Forget those that came from the large companies who only work for the large estates.
We are fortunate in having a local firm who operate over two counties but tend to work more for smaller landowners and tenants. You can have a "free" conversation with these people and may just charge you for setting up agreements or do it on a commission basis.
If you use them for professional work then they will be more likely to look out for you.

 

[ImLost]

There are in my experience two types of Agent. Forget those that came from the large companies who only work for the large estates.
We are fortunate in having a local firm who operate over two counties but tend to work more for smaller landowners and tenants. You can have a "free" conversation with these people and may just charge you for setting up agreements or do it on a commission basis.
If you use them for professional work then they will be more likely to look out for you.

Thanks @Frank-the-Wool

When you say use them for proffesional work, do you mean other than sourcing land?

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Thanks @Frank-the-Wool

When you say use them for proffesional work, do you mean other than sourcing land?

Agents are often useful for helping with the existing land arrangements you may have, setting up FBT's etc. Their charges for this work can be very reasonable for the amount of security and comfort it can give you.
"You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours!"