Local boy returns to Matamata to boost Bayleys team

You can take the boy out of the farm but you can’t take the farm out of the boy… and so James Mckillop is returning to his hometown roots and joining the rural/lifestyle team at Bayleys Matamata.

James has sold real estate for close on six years, and has proven himself to be proficient in selling a wide range of property - from downtown Mount Maunganui apartments to kiwifruit orchards, farms and lifestyle blocks in the wider Bay of Plenty.

But with his four children at school in Matamata and strong networks there, James says relocating back to the place where he grew up and redefining his real estate business to leverage off his local knowledge is an obvious move.

“I originally moved to Matamata as a young boy and my family farmed in the area. I completed all my schooling in the Matamata district and later I dairy farmed for 10 years around Matamata so I really have a feel for the place and an understanding of the demands and challenges of farming,” says Mr Mckillop.
This allows him to empathise with his clients who are making strategic and often difficult decisions around the sale and purchase of rural and lifestyle properties at a time when the market is undergoing a significant correction.

“These are challenging times for people who are living on the land and they are looking for sound and realistic advice when it comes to the market. With the backing of the Bayleys country team across New Zealand and the huge knowledge base that they contribute, I believe I can negotiate effective outcomes for all of my clients whether they are buying or selling,” says Mr Mckillop.

While prices for dairy farms in particular have eased significantly from the dizzying heights of recent years, land in the Matamata district has an intrinsic value - given its highly productive qualities and versatility.

“Despite slowing sales of late, the Matamata district has some of the most sought-after dairying land in New Zealand. We get enquiries from all around the country for dairy properties, and there are buyers out there who thought they’d never be able to afford a dairy farm of their own. Now, they may well be able to get a foot on the dairying ladder so for them, it’s encouraging,” explains Mr Mckillop.

“For those looking to sell – well, good properties always sell regardless of which part of the property cycle we are in. My job is to market the property effectively and then negotiate a favourable sale taking into consideration all the nuances of the market.”

Country sales manager for Bayleys Waikato, Mark Dawe, says that despite the slowing of the market, he’s very pleased with the market share that the Bayleys team has secured across the real estate sectors, and welcomes Mr Mckillop’s experience and sales ability - saying it will add further credibility and skill to the Matamata arena.

“This is great news for Bayleys Matamata and I look forward to James’s input into the business here. Bayleys has established close links with the farming community – both those actively on the land and the rural professionals associated with the industry in this area – and having someone of his calibre working with us day-to-day can only enhance the opportunities we have in this market,” says Mr Dawe.