PAT Rice and Hawkins' December market review has revealed signs of confidence stirring in the rural property market.

PRH director Peter Balharrie said a good level of sales were achieved during the second half of last year, particularly from October to December.

Mr Balharrie said larger cropping and grazing properties in high-rainfall districts had been keenly sought after, while demand for lifestyle properties was also increasing after uncertainty last year following the Black Saturday bushfires and the global financial crisis.

"The marketing strategies for rural property have certainly been tested throughout the latter part of 2008 and in the early part of 2009 with properties not presenting as well as normal due to the extremely dry conditions and a reduction in buyer confidence," Mr Balharrie said.

"With good 2009 spring rain in most areas, a marked increase in buyer confidence, a stable and strong local economy, and with interest rates still relatively low, our agency looks forward to 2010 with great expectations."

Properties of note sold by PRH last year include the 301ha grazing property Strath Hill, at Strathbogie, which went for $4 million, the 1044ha grazing property at Seymour, Kobyboyn, which sold for for about $5 million, and the lifestyle and equine property Woodsome Lees, at Tocumwal, which sold for about $1.5 million.

Jaskum Park price correction

THE price listed for the property, Jaskum Park, in last week's Weekly Times, was incorrect. For details about the property, phone Landmark, Ararat, on (03) 5352 1400.