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Horse property or horse friendly? There is a difference in my mind.

By
Real Estate Agent with Stanberry Realtors 0553954

I have worked as a Farm and Ranch and Horse Property Specialist for approximately 14 years ( my gosh where does time go???) in Colorado, Arizona, and now here in Texas for the last 5 + years in Bastrop Real Estate and as a Horse Property Specialist.

One of my pet peeves is when other Real Estate Professionals take horse related listings and  who don't advertise them properly in my estimation. I think that a property that is developed with horse facilities IE., real horse barns, tack rooms, feed storage, wash racks, round pens, arena in any combination should be called horse properties.  I think that any property that has the POTENTIAL to be a developed  horse property in the future that is indeed horse friendly IE., fenced pastures, zoned for horses, is exactly that....horse friendly!

I also think that when listings are going to be advertised as either a developed horse property or a horse friendly property that the agent marketing the property should make sure and include good photos as well as information about all of the features that the listing has that apply to being a horse property! People with horses are looking at real estate as it will apply to their life with their horses so including pictures that are relevant will help sell the listing.

It is my opinion that as an Agent, if given the opportunity to list a developed horse property,  if you are not educated about horses you should refer that listing to a professional who is ( or at list consider a co list with them!).  This will best serve the Listing Client. 

This applies to Buyers looking for  horse properties ( and even horse friendly properties ).  I can't tell you how many times I have been contacted by Buyers who just started working with an Agent without doing any research to find someone who knows about horses and horse properties, who have been drug all over Timbuktu looking at properties that would never be appropriate for their needs!  Agents, if you get horse property buyers and you don't know about horses do yourself and the Buyers a favor and refer them to an Agent who does.  And trust me, I practice what I preach!  If I don't know....I refer!  I  know this is in the Buyers and or Sellers  best interest! And although I don't get the sale believe it or not those  Buyers or Sellers that I refer remember me for doing it and they send me referral for business that I specialize in!

Posted by
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

I feel your pain! LOL I grew up on a horse farm and being in the center of Kentucky we are surrounded by fabulous horse farms for breeding, racing and showing. I think there are many agents pretty hungry for any deal that might come along. I guess they learn something as they go along. Here the buyers want correct soils, grasses and plank fencing too.

Jul 31, 2010 03:32 AM
Deb Dahlberg - Rowland
Stanberry Realtors - Bastrop, TX
Deb Sells Texas!

Hey Lizette.  Some day I want to see Kentucky.  I hear it is absolutely beautiful and I know there are some fabulous horse properties there.  Great to know  you understand horses, if I ever have a referral for your area I will make sure to pass it along to you!    

Aug 01, 2010 12:56 AM
Tricia Jumonville
Bradfield Properties - Georgetown, TX
Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense

I hear you, Deb!  One of the reasons I became an agent was because of our search for a horse property some 15 years ago.  You wouldn't believe (well, maybe you would) the number of agents who were touting property as "great horse property!" because it had 25 acres.  23 acres of which was almost straight up and down limestone with holes in it that would make my veterinarian's accountant very happy, but not my horses!  Or, in other ways, completely unsuitable for horses.  Drove me crazy.

Another thing a horse property specialist needs to be aware of is that not all horse people want to live on their own horse property (or can afford to do so for reasons not only of money, but of commute, etc.), but they want to live near enough to a good stable so that they can go visit their horses on a daily (yes, daily - we are some of us addicts, you know!) basis.  So a horse property specialist needs to know about the stables in the area (and whether or not they'd board their own horses there).  Also where the equine veterinarians are, where the feed stores are and which stores carry which brands, where the tack shops are, what the local horse-related clubs and associations are - it is SO not just all about how many acres a place has!

Aug 13, 2010 05:44 AM
Deb Dahlberg - Rowland
Stanberry Realtors - Bastrop, TX
Deb Sells Texas!

You and I sure think  alike Tricia... great minds, right!  I do have a list of subdivisions that have community facilities and also have a list of boarding and training facilities that I can share with horse owners. 

Aug 20, 2010 07:47 AM
Catherine Ulrey
Keller Williams Capital City - Salem, OR
Equestrian and Acreage Property Specialist

I hear your pain too.  In a perfect world, agents that don't know anything about horses would not list horse property, or mention that it has horse potential.  I saw a listing a few years ago that the listing agent stated "padded stalls" and a found an expired last week that said "barn with a stall" when the photo taken from the isle showed 3 stalls!  Where do the sellers find these people?

Apr 12, 2011 05:57 PM
Deb Dahlberg - Rowland
Stanberry Realtors - Bastrop, TX
Deb Sells Texas!

Padded stalls....I love it.  That is where my husband will commit me to if I get one more horse LOL!

May 09, 2011 09:00 AM