New research from Butterfield Mortgages in the UK, commissioned through Censuswide, reveals that demand for UK property is becoming increasingly global, with brokers now seeing interest from every continent.
The prime London mortgage provider conducted an independent survey of 300 UK-based mortgage brokers. It found that over three quarters (77%) have seen demand from non-UK residents increase over the past five years, underscoring the sustained appeal of the UK property market among international buyers.
When asked which regions their overseas clients most commonly come from, brokers reported a surprisingly wide range of places. Australia and Oceania led the list at 49%, potentially reflecting growing expat interest from markets such as Australia and New Zealand.
This was closely followed by Central America and the Caribbean (45%), alongside significant activity from Europe (39%) and Africa (36%). Meanwhile, 32% cited clients from Far East Asia, 25% from North America, and 4% from South America.
Alpa Bhakta, CEO of Butterfield Mortgages Limited in the UK, said: “Our data shows that UK property continues to attract a truly global range of investors. Following months of speculation about the appeal falling away due to tax changes, it’s clear that the resilience of bricks and mortar remains.
“To see Australia and Oceania cited as the region generating the most demand was surprising, but underlines just how diverse the interest now is. As a result, brokers are navigating an increasingly wide range of client needs and market complexities.
“That’s where lenders have a vital role to play. Providing clear communication, flexible lending solutions and the right specialist expertise can make all the difference in helping brokers support their clients and ensuring international buyers can access the finance they need.”
