Interest in UK Property Soars Since Trump Wins US Elections

Interest in property from America has soared since Trump won the US elections. Beresfords, one of the largest independent estate agents in the South of England, has reported that interest from State-side visitors in their properties marketed online shot up four-fold in December 2016 with an unprecedented number of sessions recorded.

That interest in UK-based property has not abated and a sustained level of enquiries has continued. Perhaps not surprisingly states which voted Clinton* have shown the most interest in UK property, such as California (61.5% Democrat), New York State (58.8% Democrat), Illinois (55.4% Democrat) and Virginia (49.9% Democrat). Bucking this trend is Texas (52.6% Republican), whose borders will house a large part of Trump's controversial wall with Mexico, which has also shown a very high interest from prospective property purchasers in the UK market.

Terry Holmes, Director, Beresfords, says: "It's been fascinating to note the rise in interest from property purchasers from the US. Apart from the massive increase in December, there was also a spike in July when Mike Pence was named as Trump's running mate. We don't know how many of these figures are American citizens or ex-pats but it will be intriguing to see if these enquiries turn into an on-going trend for US residents to uproot under the Trump administration."

He continued: "There appears to be little middle ground with the President elect. It's difficult to think of any elected world leader who has had such a Marmite effect! 2017 has started with controversy and he hasn't even been sworn in yet."

Before the US elections the International Business Times reported a wave of celebrities had vowed to leave the country if Trump took office, including: Whoopi Goldberg, Cher, Samuel L Jackson and Lena Dunham.

Beresfords' research also revealed that US home buyers are looking to snap up a perfectly pretty rural treat. The two most popular properties from state-side buyers were a stunning Grade II listed thatched cottage in the village of Langham near Colchester and a two-bed cottage with traditional beams and open fireplace in the village of Panfield near Braintree. US-based property investors can bag a bargain when it comes to UK house sales due to the post-Brexit fall in sterling. The pound is currently at an all-time low against the dollar and currently stands at $1.21.