Spain stays top as new property favourites emerge

Spain is still the most popular property destination in the world, according to TheMoveChannel.com’s latest Top of the Props report. Spanish property accounted for one in 10 (9.72 per cent) of all enquiries on the overseas portal in April 2015, making it the number one country for the third month in a row.

Spain’s share of activity fell slightly from March 2015 (11.99 per cent), but still generated more demand than any other destination. The USA also saw its share of enquiries decrease (from 7.2 per cent in March 2015 to 5.78 in April 2015), placing it on almost even footing with Portugal. Portugal was the only one in the top three destinations to see demand increase month-on-month: the share of enquiries for Portuguese property increased from 5.85 per cent in March 2015 to 5.63 per cent in April 2015.

Italy was the fifth most popular destination on the site for the second month in a row, with its share of enquiries rising from 3.19 per cent in March 2015 to 3.4 per cent in April 2015. This is the second month in a row that the country has seen demand increase, as international interest rebounds. Indeed, with three out of the Top Five countries on TheMoveChannel.com located in the eurozone for the third time in 2015, Europe continues to drive property buying activity. In sixth place, France also saw its share of enquiries rise from 2.68 per cent to 3.09 per cent.

While the weak euro is boosting the popularity of European property, though, outside of the continent, demand is increasing for Turkey (up one place into ninth) and Canada (up 14 places into eighth). Brazil slipped one place to seventh, but its share of enquiries edged up from 2.78 per cent 3.01 per cent.

Thailand is also emerging as a favourite for 2015. Buyers have been returning to the country in greater number since February 2015, when it rose into seventh place in the Top of the Props chart. In March, its share of activity climbed to 3.95 per cent, taking the country up three spots into fourth (its first time in the Top Five since December 2014). In April 2015, Thailand’s share rose for the third month in a row, from 3.95 per cent to 4.61 per cent, helping the country to hold on to fourth place.

Investors remain keen on the Caribbean, with the Cayman Islands climbing five places to re-enter the Top of the Props Top 10. Jamaica rose 25 places to rank 15th in the world. The appeal of island sun also extended to the Philippines, which shot up 18 places in the chart to seize 14th place.

After rising three places to eighth in March 2015, the UAE fell back three places to 11th in April 2015, just above India, which remains in 12th. Bulgaria also slipped out of the Top 10, falling from ninth into 13th place.

While many countries saw demand slide in April, though, the Top Five remains unchanged from the previous month, as demand stays steady for Spain, USA, Portugal, Thailand and Italy.

“With two of the top three destinations located in the eurozone, Europe remains a driving force in the global property market,” comments TheMoveChannel.com Director Dan Johnson. “The weak single currency and favourable prices continue to attract buyers. The eurozone has now accounted for three of the Top Five destinations in three of the past four months.”

“After an unstable 2014, investors are also returning to Thailand. Despite its economic struggles, the country still offers strong rental yields, which consistently draw overseas interest. Many countries enter the Top Five destinations on TheMoveChannel.com for only a short period, but April marks the second month in a row that Thailand has been present in the top flight and its third time in the past six months. Spain, the USA and Portugal have all been in the Top Five for the past six months, compared to France (three times) and Bulgaria (once).

“As the Top Five remains unchanged in April, fuelled by Portugal’s improving market and Italy’s resurgent popularity, buyers are establishing a new group of favourites for 2015. Could Thailand be in it?”