Buyers 'looking to Europe again'

British buyers are starting to look to purchase second homes on the continent again, it has been claimed.

Editor at A Place in the Sun Magazine Richard Way said a UN survey highlighting Norway, Iceland and Australia as the best places in the world to live did not tell an accurate picture for Britons looking for a second home.

Of these three, only Australia is a popular location for UK buyers, as the other two lack warm, sunny weather, he stated.

Mr Way remarked that Britons are focusing on familiar European destinations, as these are the places they are "comfortable with and that are easy to get to from the UK".

He predicted a "gradual" increase in overseas purchases in these places over the next two years, rather than a sudden boom.

The improved popularity of traditional European property hotspots was highlighted by overseas mortgage providers Conti last month.

It noted that a greater proportion of enquiries it received were about France and Spain this year than in 2008, with the French sector seeing these more than double.

Like this? Then share with your friends and colleagues!