Strong increase in overseas property searches

August 17, 2008

Overseas property investment is still going strong; in the first half of 2008, Rightmove Overseas saw overseas property searches grow by 26 per cent compared to the same period in 2007.

Rightmove Overseas reports that over 10 million searches were carried out on its website during the first six months of this year. They also revealed which destinations have registered the biggest increase in popularity, indicating potential property investment hotspots.

Searches for holiday homes in the US are up by 50 per cent compared to this time last year, with Orlando and California standing out. However, the US only came in at number three of Rightmove Overseas' most searched for destinations, with Spain's Costa del Sol topping the list. Bulgaria was the only country in the top 10 to register a fall in search numbers (down 13 per cent).

Outside of the top 10, Australia and New Zealand as well as the 'dollar destinations', such as the Caribbean, fared well. "The weakness of the pound against the dollar is making for some very reasonably priced properties in these areas," said Rightmove Overseas.

The top 10 hotspots, by country, for would-be holiday home owners are:

Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands
France
The US
Portugal
Italy
Bulgaria
Cyprus
United Arab Emirates
Greece
Turkey

This story was brought to you by holidaylettings.co.uk.

For an extensive choice of new and off plan property for sale in Spain on the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida, visit the Novocasa website.