EXCLUSIVE: After a disappointing performance during August, interest in Thailand property buying and investing picked up ;ast month as the kingdom regained its place in the top ten most-searched overseas property destinations in TheMoveChannel’s monthly Top of the Props report during September.
The United States again lead the way, with the country accounted for 25.66 percent of activity last month, remaining the most popular destination for the second month in a row. Its share of activity dipped by 1.6 per cent from a record high in August 2013 but demand has soared 9.49 per cent year-on-year.
In September 2012, Spain was the most popular destination on U.K.-based overseas property portal, accounting for 20.78 percent of enquiries. Uncertainty surrounding Europe’s economy, though, has seen Spain’s share of activity fall 12.74 percent over the 12 months to September 2013. Spain is now the second most popular country, accounting for 8.04 percent of enquiries.
Investors continued to look further afield in September. As well as Brazil’s boost in popularity, Canada’s strengthening market carried it four places up the chart to seize seventh spot, while Thailand and Hungary both returned to the top 10 destinations for the fifth and third time in 2013 respectively.
Director Dan Johnson said: “U.S. property has been the number one market for investors for most of 2013. The top six countries on TheMoveChannel.com in September 2013 were USA, Spain, Portugal, France, Brazil and Italy. With the exception of Spain’s slide into second, this top six is the same as it was one year ago, a sign that investors have lost no interest in the familiar European markets.
“America, though, is racing ahead of the pack. In the first nine months of 2012, Spain had been the most popular destination for nine months. This year, the U.S. has been the most popular destination for seven months; buyer tastes are the same, but the focus has shifted. With its share of activity surging 11.03 percent across the third quarter of 2013, the American government may be shutting down, but international interest in U.S. real estate is only just firing up.”
Andrew Batt, International Group Editor of PropertyGuru Group, wrote
this story. To contact him about this or other stories email andrew@propertyguru.com.sg
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