Nathalie Berleur Corrin, together with her husband, runs the estate agency Cofim, a combination, a group in fact which is present on several markets: the traditional market of selling and renting residential or commercial properties, the less traditional market of buying and selling enterprises and business assets and, finally, the far more specialised market of equestrian and farm properties. Despite her extensive experience – gained over some twenty years - , Nathalie Berleur Corrin has chosen to return to university where she is following the Executive Programme in Real Estate (Solvay Business School).

Cofim proposes to its clientele equestrian properties with or without accommodation in a price range from about 499,000 euro to… nearly 10 million euro (see above: a property near Turnhout with “an impressive residence”). However, the Brussels estate agent has opted for a diversified approach to the market: equestrian complexes, riding schools and other professional installations are assigned to a separate section. There too, the prices start at around half a million euro – and even less for a small riding school (395,000 euro) – rising to up to 12 million euro for an international level equestrian centre within a property of 8 hectares entirely devoted to competition and adapted to the organisation of competitive events (offices, accommodation, a large number of tracks).

This type of property is negotiated “off market”. In fact, the properties on offer “off market” are not communicated to the general public. There is therefore no advertising in the press or on the internet. These are investments for which sellers and buyers are put into contact discreetly by specialised intermediaries. In other words, the “off market” properties are available on a specialised, confidential market confined to the happy few.

The enlightened amateur or professional seeking an equestrian property must consider all the aspects of the transaction they are undertaking. For a new project, all the land costs, registration fees, surveyor and architect fees, possible demolition costs, soil survey and decontamination, site development costs, taxes and of course the purchase price of the property, “which varies according to its location”, Nathalie Berleur Corrin points out, “but also its purpose and assignment”. In other words, the local planning provisions, the Sector Plan in Wallonia, the Regional Land Use Plan (PRAS) in Brussels and the Regional Plan in Flanders. Are you still following?

It is therefore necessary to be vigilant. “However”, Nathalie Berleur Corrin continues, “the most important thing, at present, is to look to the future”. Nowadays, design and realisation of a contemporary riding school involves taking sustainable development into account, reflecting on all the environmental aspects and “analysing more generally what you want to do to obtain more uses, services, functionalities, etc.” A discourse which is also heard in the business world.

This is not all – far from it. And once again, it is a concern which is encountered everywhere: given that the society in which we live is (increasingly) connected, “digitisation also concerns the equestrian sector. The riding schools are also connected and it is a boon”, says Nathalie Berleur Corrin, “because digitisation allows modern management, remotely. In short, time is saved in the overall management of the site, whether for the riders, the horses, the stable hands, the owners or the managers of the site. Creating simplified management and use leads to greater profitability.” This says it all.