NO AGENCY FEES WHEN BUYING THROUGH UNICASA INTERNATIONAL

The number of Brits searching online for foreign property has doubled in the last year, according to portal Primelocation International.

Enquiries on the site were 95% higher in March 2010 than a year earlier, with the top three locations of Spain, France and the US recording increases of 108%, 153% and 105% respectively.

Searches also increased on a monthly basis for most countries, with Bulgaria’s 11% decline the only fall out of the top ten most popular destinations.

Switzerland, which saw an annual increase in searches of 74%, re-entered the top ten for the first time since January, while Australia dropped out of the chart.

“Pent up demand now appears to be on the brink of converting into sales,” said Ann Wright, international development manager of Primelocation International.

“Several signs are now indicating that the economy may have escaped a double dip and be stabilising in earnest and potential buyers are picking up this optimism.”

Rival portal Rightmove has seen a 60% annual increase in searches, with Portugal, Turkey and Cyprus seeing the biggest benefits.

(Source: Overseas Property Professional Magazine)