The number of Britons who own a home abroad has soared by almost 50% since 2000, which means that about 5% of the UK adult population now own an overseas property. This figure is expected to double this decade

A further 37% are currently considering purchasing abroad, citing the poor British weather and the accessibility of cheap and frequent flights as major factors, along with increased equity in property in the UK. The favourite destination by far for a second home is Spain and the Balearics.

This increase has also been fuelled by the rise in the number of popular primetime television programmes such as Location Location Location and A Place in the Sun, which also have their own magazines, adding to the already heaving shelves of newsagents’ overseas property sections.

But finding a way through all this information can be very confusing and enormously time consuming. Where do you start? Who are the good agents and developers? Which are the hot spots to buy in and which areas to avoid? How do you find a good lawyer – or do you need one at all?

In Spain alone, there are 95,000 estate agents – but their first priority is to the seller. Many people looking to buy abroad do not have the time to look deeply into the overseas property market and undertake all the research necessary before making a decision. Many people like to have someone who is acting only for them and not the seller, helping find the right way through the maze of inromation.

Yorkshire couple Andy and Jan Pratt were so frustrated by their experiences buying in Mallorca that they formed Shortcuts Property Search, a company set up to make buying abroad simpler and easier for UK clients.

“It makes a great deal of sense for clients who live 1000 miles away to use local independent experts working solely on their behalf, helping to avoid the potential pitfalls of buying in a property market with a different culture, laws and language” said Jan Pratt, who founded Shortcuts. “We offer access to local knowledge and sound practical and unbiased advice”.

Where are UK property hunters currently buying?

In Mallorca, sales are very brisk in the south west. More and more people are now buying fincas in the country and the cosmopolitan city of Palma with its beautiful old quarter around the magnificent cathedral is booming. Sophisticated shopping, year round facilities and many glamorous visitors combined with a relaxed lifestyle and quality property ensure that prices here will remain buoyant.

In Costa Brava, property interest is increasing in advance of the arrival of the TGV train network, which will make the area even more accessible by car from the UK. The region offers something for everyone – beaches, skiing in the Pyrenees, sailing, superb golf and every sporting opportunity all within easy reach, wonderful restaurants with home grown produce, with the medieval city of Girona and expanding airport at its heart.

Shortcuts Property Search can be contacted on 0034 651 984163 at anytime for an informal chat about your personal needs, with no obligation at all. Visit their website at www.shortcutspropertysearch.com or email: info@shortcutspropertysearch.com for the latest property market updates which give an overview of each region and current property prices.

* Office of National Statistics

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