The sale, with the property going to near-neighbours also with a family history in Hawke's Bay farming, was prompted by retirement, and Frank Dooney said: "It hasn't been an easy thing to do, but we've decided it's time to go."
Colliers R and A director Hadley Brown was particularly pleased with the result, saying: "It was a very spirited auction, with the room full of qualified purchasers that had got themselves into a cash position."
There was strong bidding in a packed auction room last Thursday, said Colliers International auctioneer manager John Bowring.
The property, including a four-bay implement shed, a four-stand woolshed and a homestead, was sold on behalf of longterm owners with a century of family history and was bought by near-neighbours, a Hawke's Bay farming family.
Nearby Ruawai on Dartmoor Rd and Seven Oaks on Glengarry Rd both sold in June, for $5 million and $2.6 million respectively. Ruawai also attracted multiple offers selling for $2 million over its valuation.
To the southwest, Tolcarne, off Aorangi Rd was also recently sold significantly over its valuation.
Mr Brown said there was much optimism in the market and with the shortage of good farming properties, he had seen considerable interest in properties that are on the market at local and national levels.
Quotable Value Rural Value division Napier valuer Bevan Pickett said "the general sentiment" of the wider rural market in 2015 in Hawke's Bay has been positive.
"The dairying portion of Hawke's Bay rural profile is relatively small and confined largely to the southern and western portions of the district," he said.
"For these farmers the impact is real and there will be some clear effect on the region."
But he said there has been good interest shown in properties and in most cases good sale prices achieved.
Change has been reported in the strong dairying region of Waikato, with what one valuers says is "anecdotal" evidence of prices for dairy land "softening".
