More Than a Farm & More Than a Sale

Charlie Wiles is the kind of man whose handshake still carries the weight of a lifetime in farming.

For over 50 years, Charlie poured his energy, expertise, and heart into his dairy operation in southern Washington County, Maryland. His farm was more than a livelihood — it was a legacy. He built it with care, raised cows with a passion for genetics and quality, and transformed the land into a showpiece that reflected a life of hard work and pride.

But eventually, even the most dedicated farmers must face the question: Is it time to let go?

For Charlie, that moment came not with fanfare, but with quiet clarity. “Everything in my world is black and white,” he said. “There’s no gray.” At 82, dealing with health issues and living in a retirement community, Charlie knew it was time. The land had served its purpose. Now, it was someone else’s turn.

Once Charlie met with the Hurleys, he was struck by their approach — clear, professional, and down-to-earth — and by the time the conversation ended, he’d made up his mind. “I told them right then that I wanted them to sell the farm.”

From the first sit-down meeting at the farm to the final handshake on auction day, the Hurley team delivered. They listened. They didn’t pressure. And they honored Charlie’s request to tell the world his farm was for sale. “I didn’t want anyone saying, ‘I didn’t know Wiles was selling,’” he said. “And boy, they covered that base.”

With an auction date set, the team got to work — leveraging print, digital, radio, direct mail, trade shows, and even local events to generate buzz and bring the right buyers to the table. On auction day, the bidding quickly built momentum. In the end, Charlie’s beloved farm sold for 10% more than the reserve.

But for Charlie, the biggest surprise wasn’t the final number — it was the peace he felt after the fact. He said “The worst thought that could go through your mind after a sale is, ‘Did I have the right people?’” he said. “Boy, I guarantee you — I had the best.”

If you’re a landowner facing the hard decision to sell; make sure you choose the right team.

You deserve a team that will honor what you’ve built, work with integrity, and give it everything they’ve got to bring the best possible outcome.

That’s what Charlie Wiles found.
And that’s what we’re here to offer.

Watch Charlie tell his story in the video below: