Home buyers put sun before profit
Two-thirds of Brits want to escape the UK and buy a home in the sun, a new survey has revealed.Surprisingly,
62% rate overseas sun and lifestyle more important than effective
investment or making a profit from their home abroad, the survey from
currency experts HIFX shows.Around 50% want an overseas
property to escape long and stressful UK working hours and high taxes
and more than a quarter are looking to emigrate.The 2458
adults questioned by pollsters YOUGov are three times more concerned
about escaping the UK’s bad weather than making long term profit.Spain
remains our top get away destination with 46% of prospective buyers
aiming to buy there. However, far flung destinations such as Australia,
Canada and New Zealand are also increasing in popularity and emerging
destinations such as Bulgaria and Cape Verde are also making an impact.Most
want a villa by the sea (49%), followed by a house in the countryside
(19%); just 5% of buyers would consider an apartment in a city.
62% rate overseas sun and lifestyle more important than effective
investment or making a profit from their home abroad, the survey from
currency experts HIFX shows.Around 50% want an overseas
property to escape long and stressful UK working hours and high taxes
and more than a quarter are looking to emigrate.The 2458
adults questioned by pollsters YOUGov are three times more concerned
about escaping the UK’s bad weather than making long term profit.Spain
remains our top get away destination with 46% of prospective buyers
aiming to buy there. However, far flung destinations such as Australia,
Canada and New Zealand are also increasing in popularity and emerging
destinations such as Bulgaria and Cape Verde are also making an impact.Most
want a villa by the sea (49%), followed by a house in the countryside
(19%); just 5% of buyers would consider an apartment in a city.
Mark
Bodega, marketing director of HIFX comments: “There has been a
shift from a second home being regarded as a luxury to it being
something attainable by most people.
“The impact of
growing prosperity, cheaper flights and the low cost of borrowing
– even lower in the Eurozone than in the UK – mean the
trend for buying property abroad is expected to accelerate.”