MONDAMIN, Iowa, Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Long before he founded DreamDirt Farm & Ranch Real Estate in September 2013, auctioneer Jason Smith's name and the DreamDirt brand were well established in Iowa – the result of his DreamDirt blog and the media's focus on rapidly rising farmland prices.
Now, he's landed the biggest fish of his life – a portfolio of 27 farm properties in 16 different counties of Iowa, totaling more than 3,500 acres. "This shows that while DreamDirt has only existed since the fall as a corporation, my seven-year track record as an auctioneer and broker is well established," he said.
"When the national media discovered the major rise in farmland prices, they didn't really know much about farmland, so they went searching on the web and found DreamDirt.com, where I'd been writing about it," he said. That made Smith – who was working for another auction company at the time – an instant favorite of national media.
Now he and his seven-person team face an even bigger challenge: Getting consistent results in all types of markets over the long haul.
"We've had prices going up for several years, and the real test will come when we get to show what we can do in a weaker market. That's when I think the hard work we put into every sale will really differentiate us," said Smith.
Smith said the heady days of buyers lined up to buy farm dirt may already be gone in Iowa. "We monitor land sales statewide very closely, and for the time being, we seem to be moving sideways, which is probably healthy. Farmers make their money selling corn and soybeans, not flipping land," he said.
That means that in selling a farm, the focus needs to be on its location, soils, facilities and other aspects that affect a farmer's ability to grow and market crops. "It's going to be more competitive, and we have to tell each farm's story on its own merits, with professional photography and detailed, accurate data on its productivity," said Smith.
"After all," he said, "A farm is more than just dirt. Every one is somebody's dream."
Individuals interested in additional information may visit www.dreamdirt.com or call 855-376-3478.
For more information:
Carl Carter, 205-823-3273
SOURCE DreamDirt
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