How can I sell my traditional farmhouse at the right price in the Lys Valley?
Selling a traditional farmhouse at the right price means assessing its individual features, clearly presenting its strengths and any work required, and reaching buyers whose plans and budgets are a good match. In Haverskerque, Merville and the area around Morbecque, an average price per square metre is not enough to value a character property.
An enclosed courtyard, a large agricultural building, woodland views or a thoughtful renovation can make a significant difference. The key is to explain their appeal and reach people looking for that particular way of life.
I am Ophélie Billiau, an independent OptimHome property adviser based in Haverskerque. Two sales I handled, one in Haverskerque and the other in Le Sart, Merville, show how this approach works in practice.
Why does a traditional farmhouse need an individual valuation?
The traditional farmhouses, locally known as “fermettes”, and former farm complexes of the Lys Valley each have their own history. Some retain their original courtyard layout. Others have been divided, extended or fully renovated.
When valuing them, I consider the home and the property as a whole: the condition of the buildings, room layout, outbuildings, land, surroundings and proximity to neighbours.
A large plot may appeal to a buyer looking for space, while another buyer may mainly see the maintenance involved. A barn may provide useful storage or workshop space, but its value also depends on its condition and how the future owner intends to use it.
Where land or outbuildings offer potential for development or conversion, those possibilities need to be checked. France’s official Géoportail de l’urbanisme provides access to available local planning documents. It is a starting point before discussing a specific proposal with the relevant planning authority.
A well-supported valuation needs to account for both the property’s strengths and any constraints that may influence a buyer’s decision.
Haverskerque: a courtyard farmhouse sold for €410,000
I handled the sale of a beautiful traditional farmhouse in Haverskerque, with buildings arranged around an enclosed courtyard, a large agricultural building and approximately 9,000 m² of land, part of which was designated as building land.
Set on a lightly trafficked road, it enjoyed views towards the forest. Its layout, setting and outdoor space gave it considerable character.
The property was habitable, although its décor reflected the 1980s. Some changes to the upstairs room layout also needed to be considered.
Viewings therefore needed to help buyers understand the property as it stood, while allowing them to picture how it could suit their own way of life.
Reaching buyers with the right budget
The character of a farmhouse may encourage someone to book a viewing. For a sale to proceed, their finances also need to cover the purchase price and any planned improvements.
My search therefore focused on buyers with sufficient available funds or borrowing capacity for the overall project.
I extended the marketing towards Lille and Dunkirk, reaching people who might be looking for a country property while maintaining their professional ties to those areas.
Since the Covid period, a desire for peace and space has come up in conversations with some of my buyers. This experience encouraged me to market the property beyond its immediate area, while considering the travel arrangements and everyday needs of interested buyers.
Buyers were found within three months. The farmhouse sold for €410,000 to cash buyers, and the final deed of sale was signed in February 2025.
This sale illustrates the value of tailoring the marketing to the property and the budget it requires.
Le Sart, Merville: a renovated farmhouse and a fresh approach to the sale
In Le Sart, Merville, I handled another farmhouse sale with different challenges.
The original farmhouse had been divided into two properties. The part being sold had been beautifully renovated and stood on approximately 3,000 m² of land facing the forest.
Its comfort, home automation, Tulikivi masonry stove and adaptations designed for people with reduced mobility were tangible selling points.
It had just one neighbouring property, without significant overlooking. This arrangement suited some buyers, but was less appealing to those seeking a completely secluded home.
It was essential to explain the setting transparently and identify buyers whose requirements matched it.
Answering questions about the surroundings and financing
Flooding was raised during discussions, as Merville had been affected by such events. My role was to listen to buyers’ concerns and distinguish the wider situation in the municipality from the circumstances of the individual property, using the information and documents available.
France’s official Géorisques website provides information on recorded risks at a specific address. This information needs to be considered in relation to the property itself.
The quality of the renovation also placed the property in a higher price bracket than many more conventional homes. It was important to reach buyers who valued those features and had the corresponding budget.
Professional photography, videos, marketing across several channels, a comprehensive property file and discussions about financing helped present the home and prepare for viewings.
Buyers found one week after an exclusive instruction
After more than six months of marketing through several agencies, the owners appointed me as their sole agent.
One week after that change, buyers were found, with no reduction negotiated on the asking price. The sale then took a further six months to complete.
The one-week period refers to finding the buyers, rather than signing the final deed of sale. It relates to this particular transaction and does not promise the same timescale for another property.
What stays with me most is the sellers’ trust and the relationship that developed with the buyers. Meetings arranged between them helped support the handover of the property.
You can read more about this experience in my article on property valuations in Merville and Le Sart.
Should I renovate my farmhouse before selling?
Not necessarily. The Haverskerque farmhouse found buyers even though its décor and part of its layout needed updating. In Le Sart, the existing renovation and comfort were central to the property’s appeal.
Before committing to expenditure, I recommend identifying what could genuinely help the sale: maintenance, decluttering, minor repairs or quotations for work that buyers will need to budget for.
The aim is to make the property easy to understand, describe its condition accurately and set a realistic price.
For further guidance, read my article on selling a home in Haverskerque and the Lys Valley.
How do I help you prepare your farmhouse for sale?
I begin by getting to know your property and understanding your plans. Together, we review its strengths, constraints, available documents and the questions likely to arise during viewings.
I then compare these findings with relevant market evidence to prepare a reasoned valuation. The marketing should show the home itself, how the buildings connect, the uses of the outbuildings and the surrounding environment.
These two sales illustrate the importance of an individual approach: understanding what is being sold, identifying whom it may suit and deciding how to reach those buyers.
Thinking of selling a farmhouse in Haverskerque, Merville or the surrounding area?
Do you own a courtyard farmhouse, a former farm complex or a character property with outbuildings? Are you wondering what asking price to set and how to prepare for a sale?
I work in Haverskerque, Merville, Le Sart, Morbecque, Saint-Venant and neighbouring communities throughout the Lys Valley.
Tell me about your property to arrange a personalised valuation. We can discuss its history, individual features and your plans.
Ophélie Billiau
Independent OptimHome property adviser
Haverskerque and the Lys Valley
+33 6 24 94 73 71
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