Brits with property abroad set to double, reveals new research from Barclays.

4 November 2005 - Barclays Insurance

The number of Brits who own property abroad is set to double to 4.4 million, according to new research by Barclays. Five percent of those surveyed already own a home abroad (the equivalent of 2.2 million people in the UK) and a further five percent said that they are definitely going to buy a property overseas in the future. In addition, a staggering 37 percent of respondents said that they were considering a purchase abroad.

However, before the dream can become a reality, there are concerns that need to be overcome:

58 percent of those who are definitely or considering buying are concerned about getting caught out by local legal or tax issues;
17 percent were worried about keeping the property secure while it is empty;
A further 14 percent were concerned about being able to understand the local language well enough;
Only eight percent were worried about being taken for a ride and paying too much for a property.

And if a red-tape, trouble-free purchase could be guaranteed, the following countries would be the destinations of choice - with a couple of surprise destinations outside the European property hotspots making the top five.

BRITISH KIDS ARE TOYING WITH A FORTUNE.
"It may surprise some parents, but our survey shows that British youngsters are quite literally, sleeping on a gold mine. While a third of youngsters own gadgets, entertainment and high-tech equipment worth up to 2,000 in their bedrooms, as many as 1 in 10 children have up to 5,000 worth behind closed doors. Save up to 15 per cent off normal premiums when you buy online. 32% have a PC in their bedroom. cheapest best home owner insurance Read more...

Avoid rodent invasion
cheapest best home owner insurance Expert advice to avoid infestations:. Nikki Sellers, Head of Home Insurance at esure.com, said:. E sure’s pest insurance cover offers peace of mind to homeowners that they can receive a fast, professional and reliable pest control service at a low monthly cost.” To protect homes from the cold and prevent frozen pipes, esure.com offers the following tips to minimise the risk of a home emergency during this week’s predicted cold spell:. Read more...

Wednesday Nights Cost 127m
Worst Times for Burglaries - Vulnerable Times of the Week / Where 1. Lock front and back doors even when the property is occupied. “Burglaries can obviously occur at any time but a few simple precautions can make a real difference. cheapest best home owner insurance Read more...

Home and contents insurance - from a leading French insurer at a specially negotiated price.

Home security and alarm service - by subscribing to an all-inclusive package from FranceSolutions+ that includes savings of up to 20% on a security assessment, alarm fitting, emergency response and regular maintenance, Brits can ensure their house in France is sufficiently protected whilst they're away.

Car insurance - thanks to a tariff specially negotiated by Barclays, our partner will arrange a flexible cover to match your needs at one of the best prices on the market for all car models.

Bank Transfers - manage your accounts with no hassle - transfer money as many times as you like within France with no charge whatsoever.

Other Services for International Clients in France;

Full on-line transactional banking services in English
Destination France launched in 2003, providing an English language service for International Clients, relevant documentation in English, and English speaking advisors.
FranceSolutions launched in July 2004, offering a wide variety of advice and assistance services delivered through a debit card and current account:
Current account in euros or multi-currencies, on-line.