The Brits Head For The Blue Yonder

by Carla Johnson, InvestorsOffshore.com, London

03 December 2007

A study carried out by Datamonitor, on behalf of Overseas Property Professional magazine has found that British and Irish citizens now own 3.81 million properties overseas (excluding time share and fractional ownership), with 1.21 million of these properties being owned by permanent UK and Irish citizens and residents.

The report examines the market from the perspective of consumers, as well as industry players such as property developers and estate agents, and provides in depth analysis of the dynamics of the property market in the thirty leading destinations for UK property buyers. The study values the overseas property market in 2006 as being worth GBP44.4 billion, with UK and Irish based estate agents forecasting the market to continue to grow at an annual rate of over 13% between now and 2012 – almost doubling the total value of the market.

Spain, France and the USA remain the most popular destinations of choice, but younger buyers are looking further afield to markets including Brazil, Egypt and Croatia. Demand for overseas homes is increasingly being driven by buyers at the younger end of the age spectrum looking for a combination of investment and personal use. However, over 70% of property owners claimed that their purchase was driven by a desire to improve their lifestyle.

The study, involving 4,800 consumers and 880 estate agents and property developers, was conducted in July and August 2007 and is the largest of its kind ever undertaken in the UK and Ireland into the overseas property market. The full report will be launched at the OPPLive trade conference and exhibition to be held at Excel London on 4-5 December 2007.

The Overseas Property Professional (OPP) is a dedicated trade platform for those actively involved in the sale and marketing of overseas property. Its readership comprises agents and developers but also includes financial advisers, brokers, property consultants, media owners, PR and Marketing specialists, lawyers, etc.

Research recently carried out by property specialist Obelisk International confirms that overseas property investment is providing solid returns, in comparison to the continuing news of increased UK house prices, failing pension systems and short property funds.

Obelisk International has seen a huge increase in first time buyers investing in overseas property in order to get on the first rung of the property ladder, and an increasing number of investors are using this type of investment to fill a pension shortfall.

Kevin Prior, sales and marketing director at Obelisk International, says: "Property in the emerging markets is earning the best returns and, with good advice from experienced brokers, investments can provide lucrative results.

"Inflated house prices in the UK have led to some financiers believing a crash in the housing market, coupled with a large number of first time buyers - who are taking out huge loans to meet these costs and therefore landing themselves into the negative equity trap - further adds to concerns."

"Overseas real estate is considered a safer asset with investors tending to behave more calmly than their counterparts on, for example, the stock market. The real estate arena is also less subject to the effects of panic selling than stocks and shares. Investors can benefit greatly from foreign currency and foreign mortgage rates, as these products allow borrowers to take advantage of the low interest rates and favourable exchange rates when purchasing real estate abroad."

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