European property after the referendum

Is 2016 the year that Brits make that step to buy that property abroad,  like most financial committments there is a good time to buy and a not so good time to buy.  Anyone looking to buy in Europe would be now buying into a flat property market with the exchange rate well in their favour, that makes buying at the moment a good time to buy.

The biggest factor for many looking to buy a property in Europe is whether the UK votes yes or no to the upcoming referendum which is expected to be as early as June or July this year. Those looking to move permanantly will definately want the assurance of being part of the European Union so that they can participate in the benefits of that country which already apply to their  Nationals, primarily that would be health care.

Only this week I watched a TV  program that followed various people trying to make a life for themselves in Spain, it varied from a couple from Essex who bought a bar/restaurant to a guy on his own who was looking to work in the entertainment business as a magician. The program brought back memories of when we experienced the last boom of Brits searching a new life abroad back in the early part of 2000, the circumstances were pretty similar with low European prices, beneficial exchange rates and those who had a property to sell to finance the project were in the position of selling top of the market and looking to relocate to France.

Back in those days in early 2000 France was top of the list for Brits buying abroad, they were searching out all the corners of the country for their idealic countryside or waterfront property. Both holiday homes and permanent residence were the objectives, at present there is a trickle of Brits looking to buy property in France, that could turn into a flood if the yes vote wins the referendum, especially for those looking to retire and wanting to be fully covered by the health system.

France is a large country and the regions vary quite a bit in both culture and climate, Rightmove Overseas offers a buyers guide on their site along with overseas properties for sale. One area that stands out is that of Burgundy, stretching from just south of Paris to almost the outskirts of Lyon, it is a region offering a lifestyle suited to both young and old, it is has easy access from the UK and easy access to other parts of Europe.

Will we see European property prices surge on a buying spree by Brits after the referendum? that is if the UK votes to stay in the EU, now is the time to be looking ready for the event.

 

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Home and Living

High Quality Modular Homes for the UK

Are you looking for added accommodation space in your garden / on your land? Modular Living Homes by tutumHOUSE offer a new way to live – minimalist in form, rich in experience. “There are approximately 9.6 million homes in the UK with a garden shed, and around 52% of the population owns one.” asgardsss There…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The most stressful places to move to in the UK

With more people in the UK moving homes during summer than any other season and the average cost of moving in the UK rising to over £14,000, picking the right place to move to has become more crucial than ever. Luckily, new research from Pay Less for Storage reveals the UK cities that make life easiest…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Time-Traveling Estate Agent Sequel Climbs Amazon Charts

A UK Estate Agent Currently Bringing Joy to People’s Lives – Shame He’s Fictional…   Eric Meek, the fictional estate agent created by author Dale Bradford, is back for a second outing in The Time‑Travelling Estate Agent 2, a sequel that is already climbing Amazon’s bestselling time‑travel rankings. Estate agents were recently highlighted as the third…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Is it finally time for lenders to back green homes?

Andrew Smith weighs the risks and rewards Property developers are increasingly pitching green homes to lenders; however, with sales cycles slowing down and repair costs rising, is now the right time to back sustainable builds and at what price point is there market demand? Sustainability is continuing to shape our future of construction with the…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 24/07/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   OpticWise – digital infrastructure in commercial real estate If your building were a product, how would it perform on the user experience scale?  Week 9: Experience as Infrastructure – Designing for Human-Centric Buildings Welcome to Week 9 of our 52-week journey into the future…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

UK Housebuilding Falters as Construction Hiring Flatlines

New research from Inventory Base reveals that UK construction industry employment has increased by almost 11% in the past five years, but there has been less than 1% growth in the past 12 months. Inventory Base’s analysis of the UK construction industry shows that in 2024 (latest data available) it employed an estimated total of…
Read More