“Spanish property with pool” most searched-for term on leading portal

This property in Spain doesn’t look too far-off what most Brits envision is their ideal holiday home.

The most sought-after type of property for Brits searching to buy a home overseas is located in Spain, has its own pool, easy access to a beach, and possibly has a sea view thrown in for good measure, too…

This is the finding of recent data analysis by British property portal Zoopla, which has recorded a 17% surge in overseas home searches in the past five weeks.

Homes in Spain are by far the most searched for, followed by Portugal, France, Cyprus and the USA. And the types of property people are looking for indicate that for many, the desire to rekindle the magic of their summer holiday is strong: the most popular criteria for overseas property is “pool”, followed by “beach” and “sea view”.

“It is no surprise that the unseasonably autumnal weather in the UK we have been experiencing recently is compelling people to look for a bit of escapism in the form of the perfect holiday home,” said Zoopla spokesperson Lawrence Hall.

With Spain both the most popular holiday destination and overseas property market for Brits, this data is unsurprising, but perhaps helps to highlight the correlation between good holiday memories and the strong urge to make the dream a reality and actually buy a home overseas.

In fact, searches within Spain seem to confirm this theory, with views of Costa del Sol properties up 44% in the past five months – a steeper rise than any other region.

“We’ve all done it – gone on holiday, stepped away from the daily grind, relaxed in the sun, cocktail in hand, wondering how we can make this feeling last,” said property expert Simon Conn, who added that buying a home overseas is not the same as an extended holiday. “When you are on holiday you wind down a gear and time is your own, but try to visualise what it would really be like if you live there.”

Wise advice, which chimes with VIVA’s oft-repeated calls for Brits to try before they buy, make considered and sensible decisions, and plan, plan, plan as much as possible.