As leading media including Fortune and Business Insider report on the growing trend of “moving abroad,” JamesEdition is seeing an increasing interest in international real estate.
JamesEdition
Following the presidential election on November 5th, JamesEdition has observed a 30% rise in week-over-week traffic from the US.
“If you’re in luxury real estate, now’s the time to lean in. The opportunities to connect with global buyers have never been stronger,” says Eric Finnas Dahlstrom, CEO of JamesEdition, in his LinkedIn post. He also highlights leading search growth locations for U.S. buyers. The top 10 list includes popular European second-home destinations, English-speaking “feels like home” countries, and idyllic “paradise” spots.
Notably, Italy, France, and Spain have seen a 45% or more surge in searches, with Portugal hitting almost 90%. Meanwhile, Ireland, Costa Rica, and the UK sit at the top, with increases exceeding 150%, highlighting familiar, yet less common, destinations for second-home buyers.
This trend aligns with extensive media coverage following the election, reflecting heightened interest among Americans regarding moving abroad.
Industry Insights Reveal Increased Interest in Expat Living
According to The Economic Times and Google data, searches for “move to Canada” skyrocketed 1,270% in the 24 hours after the East Coast polls closed, with New Zealand climbing nearly 2,000% and Australia jumping 820%.
Similarly, Fortune revealed that “American searches for ‘how to move to England’ increased 10-fold” in the wake of the result, with “fresh research suggesting the U.K. is near the top of their list for a new home.”
Grade-II Property in Mayfair, London | 29,500,000 GBP | Listed by Savills – Mayfair & St James’s
In March 2024, the global business magazine talked to affluent American citizens who were “looking at properties in the southern European getaway locations of Portugal, Spain, and Greece in anticipation of November’s election.”
At the same time, Reuters reported that “some immigration lawyers are being inundated with queries.” Meanwhile, Business Insider highlighted that “Google searches in the U.S. for dual citizenship hit a five-year high,” with residency and citizenship consultancies receiving “dozens more inquiries than on a typical day.”
Top Global Destinations for U.S. Buyers Seeking Luxury Real Estate
JamesEdition’s ranking showcases locations with the highest increase in U.S. searches following the election. Among them, European Union (EU) countries like Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal, have long been popular choices for expats desiring second homes.
Interest in some destinations has risen by 150% and more, driven by strong lifestyle and investment appeal. Here’s the top 10 list:
- Italy: 45%
- Greece: 46%
- Canada: 47%
- France: 50%
- UAE: 50%
- Spain: 59%
- Portugal: 88%
- Ireland: 150%
- Costa Rica: 166%
- U.K.: 175%
JamesEdition Data
To provide further insights, we compared luxury real estate markets in these countries, focusing on average property values to better understand their high-end appeal.
Italy
Increase in Searches: 45% (#9)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 1,010,666 USD (#8)
Featured: Borgo in Allerona, Italy | Listed by Coldwell Banker Best Properties.
Greece
Increase in Searches: 46% (#8)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 1,063,859 USD (#7)
Featured: Modern villa in Corfu, Greece | Listed by Corfu Homes Real Estate Consultants.
Canada
Increase in Searches: 47% (#7)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 1,218,849 USD (#6)
Featured: French Provincial Estate in Toronto, Canada | Listed by Barry Cohen – Re/Max Realtron
UAE
Increase in Searches: 50% (#6)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 1,225,169 USD (#5)
Featured: Exclusive Seaside Villas in La Mer Island, Dubai, the UAE | Listed by Almal Real Estate Investments
France
Increase in Searches: 50% (#6)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 893,641 USD (#10)
Featured: Historic Property on Monaco’s Doorstep, Èze, France | Listed by John Taylor Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
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Spain
Increase in Searches: 59% (#5)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 1,271,311 USD (#4)
Featured: Cap Roig Estate, North-East Ibiza, Spain | Listed by Domus Nova Ibiza
Portugal
Increase in Searches: 88% (#4)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 904,280 USD (#9)
Featured: Exclusive Villa For Sale in Lagos, Portugal | Listed by The Agency Portugal
Ireland
Increase in Searches: 150% (#3)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 1,595,788 USD (#1)
Featured: Oceanfront House, Howth, Dublin, Ireland | Listed by Sherry FitzGerald
Costa Rica
Increase in Searches: 166% (#2)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 1,445,127 USD (#3)
Featured: Exclusive Jungle Compound Nestled Above Playa Hermosa | Listed by Costa Rica Resort & Estate Properties
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UK
Increase in Searches: 175% (#1)
Average listing price on JamesEdition: 1,468,477 USD (#2)
Featured: Old Grove House in the heart of North London, United Kingdom | Listed by Savills – Hampstead
