International Search Index

Primelocation.com October 2010 International Search Index

  • Searches for international property at lowest level since February 2010
  • 34% more searches in October compared with previous year
  • Searches fell 1% in October on a month-by-month basis
  • Property interest shifts stateside

Searches for international property are at their lowest levels since February 2010, according to the latest Primelocation.com International Search Index.

In the past month, overseas property interest increased most in the US and UAE, with increases of 8% and 10% respectively for international searches. Conversely, interest in European property fell as 10% fewer searches were made for property in France and 9% fewer in Italy.

Each of the top ten countries in the Primelocation.com Index had increased interest in property in October compared with 2009. American property searches increased the most, with 89% more searches this October than last. The US accounts for over a fifth of all international searches.

Although France was the second most sought destination, it had the smallest increase in searches of the top 10 ranking countries. A quarter of international searches were for French property, though French property searches only increased by 0.5% over the year.

Ann Wright, International Development Manager at Primelocation.com, comments:
"Total searches in October are around a third higher than last year, and interest levels appear to have stopped falling following the 18% reduction in property searches in September."

"There has been a shift in the places people are looking; traditionally popular European destinations like Italy, Portugal and France are being searched less, whilst opportunities in the US, Turkey and the UAE are becoming increasingly sought after.

"This time last year, there were around twice as many searches for Spanish property as there were for American houses, now it's much closer: around seven US searches for every ten Spanish ones

 

Top Ten International Property Searches – October 2010
Country Share of total searches October 10 Monthly change in no. of searches Annual change in no. of searches October 09 Ranking
Spain 32% 2% 43% 2
France 25% -10% 0% 1
United States 23% 8% 90% 3
Italy 5% -9% 40% 4
Portugal 5% -3% 55% 5
Cyprus 1% 0% 39% 7
United Arab Emirates 1% 10% 23% 6
Turkey 1% 7% 37% 8
Switzerland 1% 3% 56% 11
Bulgaria 1% 3% 4% 9
Rest of World 0% -93% -93% n/a
About Primelocation International

Primelocation International forms part of Primelocation.com, the UK's principal portal for leading estate agency firms, including major national and international agencies such as Savills, Knight Frank and Hamptons International, listing over 750,000 prime properties to rent or buy in the UK and overseas.

Primelocation International has the largest collection of international property of any UK-based property portal listing over 70,000 homes in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, USA and over 60 other countries. Over 500 international estate agent firms list their property on Primelocation.com.

The bi-monthly International Search Index highlights demand for international property on the site amongst UK-based property hunters.

For further press information please contact Citigate Dewe Rogerson:

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