Overseas Buyers Return to Cyprus

Overseas buyers are showing signs of returning to Cyprus, with the country entering the Top 10 most popular investment destinations this spring based on online agency enquiries for the first time in a year.

Enquiries more than doubled in real terms month-on-month, making the country storm 10 places up to steal the eighth spot, knocking France down a place in the process. Cypriot property accounted for 1.62 per cent of online enquiries in November, marginally ahead of French property's 1.6 per cent. This is the country's highest share of enquiries since November 2015, when it accounted for 2.29 per cent.

Cyprus led an uprising among several European destinations in November, with Hungary also entering the Top 10 and Italy rising four places into sixth. The share of enquiries for more traditional continental destinations, such as Spain and Portugal, dipped slightly month-on-month, which may be a sign that the weak pound post-Brexit has weighed upon British buying appetite, although both countries remain in the top four destinations, highlighting their enduring popularity among a wide range of investors.

The USA remains the most sought-after real estate destination for investors, as Donald Trump's election victory has only gone on to boost the dollar and strengthen sentiment surrounding the American economy. Some investors have also turned to other markets, with Slovenia, home country of future First Lady Melania Trump, seeing enquiries rise, Brazil enjoying a surge in demand, and the UAE also seeing a renewed wave of interest.

The Move Channel's Director Dan Johnson comments: “2016 has been a dramatic year with a number of surprising events on the world stage, from referendums and elections to property taxes. Investors continue to adapt and adjust their focus in response, while lifestyle buyers continue to look for their place in the sun. In a sign that property hunters are taking into account fluctuating currency exchange rates, demand climbed in Mexico, where the peso is weak, last month, and also in Bulgaria, where prices are lower than more expensive European lifestyle destinations