Spain regains pole position as British property buyers' no.1 overseas destination

Although Spain was the most popular property destination for almost all of last year, according to TheMoveChannel.com, there was a bit of a wobble for a while. Then in December there was an about turn as British buyers fell out of love with US real estate, and with enquiries for property on the other side of the pond plunging by 7.32% last month, it was relegated from 1st to 4th place.

Still, with enquiries about Spanish property falling by a barely noticeable 0.18%, Spain immediately shot back to the top of the list. Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal climbed from 4th to 2nd place with 9.15% of total enquiries, while France remained in 3rd place with enquiries up by 1.05%.

“As 2011 ends, the fluctuations in the Top 10 show the changing buyer demands in an uncertain market,” says Don Johnson, TheMoveChannel’s MD. “Spain has always been a traditional choice for lifestyle buyers, as shown by the constant level of interest in the country… so its return to the top spot seems an appropriate end to the year.”

Further afield, Barbados and Morocco entered the Top 10 for the first time, while the UAE jumped eight places to finish 12th.