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

Commercial Agent Talk

Building Site Accidents and Compensation: A Guide for Injured Workers

One mistake, one faulty piece of equipment and an unsafe working setup could cause a construction laborer much more than just aches and pains. One injury can result in medical costs, showing up on working days, reduced income and a path to long recovery. Under certain circumstances, the workers may be entitled to get compensation…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

First-Time Buyers: Why 4–5 Houses is the Sweet Spot

House hunting before the stress kicks in: Four to five houses is the sweet spot for first-time buyers Just 20% of us feel excited on a first property viewing, rising to 47% by viewings 4 to 5 There’s a U shape trajectory of excitement when it comes to the viewing process However, there is a…
Read More
Breaking News

Two in five mortgage holders switched banks for a better mortgage deal

Of those who have a mortgage and switched banks, 41% did so to get a better mortgage rate deal and 30% did it to receive an incentive related to their mortgage Only 15% of people moving home switched their bank account during the move, while far more switched broadband (46%), energy (38%), and mobile phones…
Read More
Breaking News

Housing market trends highlight a changing landscape

The housing market has seen many challenges across the year to date and, in many ways, the property landscape has been a year of two extremes already.   At the start of the year, there was a quiet but optimistic consumer confidence in the air.   However, with the global economy impacting almost every aspect…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 7/9/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.     Privera uses Silex to provide its employees with a shared platform for source-based research Silex, the Swiss AI platform for legal research and productivity, today announced that Privera has selected and deployed Silex to support legal research and knowledge workflows across its nationwide real estate…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage rate rises loom as major lenders reprice

Major lenders have moved to increase mortgage rates to catch up with recent rises to swap rates, according to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk analysis.   Over the coming days, more lenders are expected to review mortgage rates in response to higher swap rates, with HSBC and NatWest so far the biggest banks to increase rates since the start…
Read More