• Ambitious home buyers still looking to pick up a property in France despite recent property tax hikes

  • Savings and selling the UK home are the main sources of foreign property funding for UK adults

  • Spanish popularity falls amongst experienced property owners

The ongoing Eurozone crisis is doing little to deter ambitious home buyers, with many still keen to pick up a property bargain abroad, reveals the latest findings from the HiFX Property Hotspots Report, which reveals the top destinations for property ownership abroad as voted by UK adults.

France and Spain

France still tops the list despite recent property tax hikes, with nearly a quarter (23%) of potential buyers looking to own a property across the Channel. Mark Bodega, Director at HiFX said: “France remains a ‘safe bet’ for Brits. It goes without saying that the sun and lifestyle are a big pull but buyers can now get better value for their money and take advantage of the weakening euro.”

Nearby Spain is still second place with two in ten potential buyers (19%) hoping to purchase a property there. However, the allure of ‘Viva la Espana’ falls down the rankings for experienced property owners, with just 9% saying they would buy there if they were considering purchasing another property.

Mark Bodega added: “Spain is still popular with Brits who are hoping to take advantage of lower property prices. The average property price in the country is down almost 13 per cent in the last year alone. In years gone by bargain-hunters would focus inland, particularly looking for rundown properties that needed some work. As inland prices have fallen the most since the property crash this is still true, however prices have fallen on the coast dramatically as well giving bargain hunters plenty of choice..”

The HiFX Property Hotspots report further revealed that 35% of UK adults surveyed said they are looking to buy a property abroad within the next 1 – 2 years, whilst 30% are even looking to purchase abroad within the next six months. Nearly three in ten (28%) say they will spend between £50,000 – £100,000 on their property, with 16% saying they plan to spend between £100,000 – £150,000. Savvy Brits will largely be funding their property purchase through savings, with 43% stating this was how they planned to buy abroad, whilst almost a quarter (24%) said they plan to sell their UK home to buy abroad.

Table 1: Top destinations for UK adults looking to buy a property abroad

France

22%
Spain

19%
USA

7%
Italy

3%
Cyprus

3%
Portugal

3%
Switzerland

3%

Source: Hifx

Feeling hot, hot, hot

The Hifx Property Hotspots Report also revealed that lifestyle and culture are the most appealing aspects for 59% of UK adults when it comes to considering buying a place abroad, closely followed by the allure of foreign weather (51%). Whilst having a better standard of living and the belief that it is cheaper to own a property abroad than in the UK are the key reasons for 24% of UK adults surveyed.

Mark Bodega added: “It’s still a big dream for many Brits to either sell up and move abroad or own a second property overseas, and many understandably think now is a good time to pick up a bargain in the sun and make the most of the foreign weather and culture. Our advice is always to make sure people research their options fully first, there are chances now to pick up some great deals but the current Eurozone problems still mean some countries can be quite unstable.”

* All statistics based on research undertaken by HiFX in September – October 2012. 512 consumers were questioned using an online survey device.

For further information please contact:

Mark Bodega

Marketing Director, HiFX

01753 751776

[email protected]

Maddy Morgan Williams / Lisa Elliott

Lansons Communications

0207 294 3691

[email protected] /[email protected]

About HiFX

HiFX is the UK’s premier provider of foreign exchange and cash deposit services. Established in 1998, HiFX launched the first online international money transfer service with live exchange rates and no hidden fees. Working with over 40,000 private individuals each year and approximately 2500 corporate clients worldwide managing their foreign exchange and currency needs, HiFX offers both companies and private individuals significantly better exchange rates and exceptional service.

The breadth of activity HiFX helps its clients with is far reaching. For private individuals activity typically includes overseas property acquisition, migration overseas, salary transfers, international pension transfers and high value asset purchase. For corporate clients it is an effective way to pay overseas suppliers and staff, receive international payments, settle invoices and conduct business abroad. Last year HiFX advised on and executed over £9 billion in foreign exchange and has in excess of £2 billion placed on the Money Markets on behalf of our commercial customers.

HiFX systems work to 99.999% uptime standards, and just like the worlds banks are independently tested. HiFX also uses independently verified online security with the highest level of VeriSign certification. HiFX is the service provider for the Post Office’s ‘International Payments Service’. If you send money overseas through the Post Office, you will be talking to HiFX.

HiFX standing in the market is highlighted by the number of visitors to its website. In 2010, it had 4.2 million visitors and 1.3 million unique users to its website

pixel-7957517