One of Britainââ¬â¢s leading newspapers has named France as the best place in the world to buy property. The Daily Telegraph has recently reported the results of the biggest ever survey of foreign holiday homeowners and found, perhaps surprisingly, that ââ¬Ëthe number of Brits buying abroad as actually increased during the downturn.ââ¬â¢
Number of Brits owning properties abroad has risen since 2006
Research from Savills and a leading lettings website published in the Daily Telegraph found that 385,000 Brits owned holiday homes abroad in 2006 but that figure increased to a record high of 410,000 in 2010.
The author of the report, Savillsââ¬â¢ Rebecca Gill, said: ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s even more surprising because some previous owners will have sold in the interim. The net increase means there has been a sizeable number of Britons buying abroad since 2006.ââ¬Â
Popular locations with Brits include Portugal, Italy, the USA and Turkey although it is France that remains the most popular place for Brits to buy property.
Prices of property in France rise 5 per cent this year
The research analysed data 1,700 Brits owning abroad, a thousand Brits renting holiday homes overseas as well as British and overseas government bodies. France was the most popular place to buy and this was attributed to the range of choice available and the proximity of the country.
The Daily Telegraph reports that ââ¬Ëmore than 50 per cent of those who own French holiday homes drive, rather than fly. Other Britons own apartments in Nice, while wealthier buyers aim for rural Provence or Champagne.ââ¬â¢
While prices of property in France fell between 2007 and 2009, estate agent Century 21 reports an 18 per cent rise in prices across Paris last year, while FNAIM, the countryââ¬â¢s estate agentsââ¬â¢ association, reports five per cent rises across France in 2011.
The Savills report says ââ¬ËFrench banks have continued to lend on second homes, stimulating the marketââ¬â¢ and the newspaper states that ââ¬Ënow is the time to buy before further increases.ââ¬â¢
Are you looking to buy property in France ? Dordogne , Paris , Saint-nicolas-du-pélem , Charente , Grimaud
Are you looking to rent property in France ? Paris , Cannes , Bordeaux , Lyon , Nice
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Nick Marr
I am an internet entrepreneur with a passion for driving big audiences and a love for real estate. I have had plenty of ups and downs which has given me the experience to help others launch their own businesses. I enjoy projects that save consumers time and money, challenge convention and add real value to peoples lives.