Increase in US buyers enquiring about homes for sale in UK

• New analysis shows an increasing number of people from the United States have been enquiring about homes for sale in the UK since the start of the year:
  • There’s been an 19% increase in enquiries from the US to the UK compared to last year, and the highest number since 2017
  • The majority (47%) of enquiries are looking at smaller 0-2 bedroom homes, suggesting investment or second home activity
• The findings come as uncertainty surrounds President Trump’s tariffs and the impact on the global economy
• Scotland has replaced London as the most popular region for potential US movers to enquire about:
  • 28% of US enquiries are to Scotland, versus 26% for London
  • Edinburgh is the most popular area for movers from the U.S, replacing Westminster

A new report from the UK’s biggest property website Rightmove, reveals that the number of people enquiring from the United States about homes for sale in the UK is at an eight-year high.

The number of enquiries from the U.S about homes for sale in the UK since the start of the year is 19% higher than the start of last year, and the largest since 2017.

The data includes people both enquiring about relocating to the UK from the US or purchasing a second home or buy-to-let property in the UK.

The majority (47%) of people are looking at smaller 0–2-bedroom homes, which suggests investment activity or a second home apartment, rather than a permanent relocation. However, 32% are looking at more mass-market, typical family homes of 3-4 bedrooms.

The trend emerges as uncertainty grows around President Trump’s economic policies, most notably what he may do long-term around international trade tariffs.

For these potential US buyers, Scotland has replaced London as the most popular region to enquire about. Over the last 10 years, London has typically seen the biggest proportion of US enquiries, however at the start of this year it has switched to Scotland, potentially due to its lower price point.

28% of US enquiries are about homes for sale in Scotland, versus 26% for London.

Edinburgh has emerged as the most popular destination to enquire about, replacing Westminster which is now in second place. Glasgow has also risen to fourth place, overtaking Kensington and Chelsea.

Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert says: “President Trump’s tariff announcements have led to more economic uncertainty globally, and we’re starting to see some of the effects of this on the UK property market. Whether it’s because the UK is seen as a more stable investment opportunity, or whether some buyers are considering a permanent move across the Atlantic, we’re seeing an increase in enquiries from the US. While a really interesting trend, it’s important to note that only a very small percentage of all UK enquiries come from the US.”

Glynn Gibb, Regional Director at John D Wood & Co says: “We’ve certainly seen a steady rise in enquiries from American buyers in Prime Central London, particularly over the past 12 months. While it’s not a dramatic uptick, there’s a noticeable trend of high-net-worth individuals looking to move capital into what they see as a safe and stable market. For many US clients, London represents both a safe haven and a strategic investment. We’re seeing a number of politically motivated relocations – Americans who are seeking greater stability abroad. London’s culture and global connectivity make it an ideal springboard to Europe and beyond. Many are basing themselves here temporarily – often staying with friends – while they work out how long they plan to stay. For those expecting to remain less than five years, renting can often make more financial sense, especially when Stamp Duty is taken into account. We expect activity to build in the coming months – spring and early summer are typically busy – as more buyers make lifestyle and financial decisions shaped by the political climate in the USA.”

Most popular buyer destinations from the US

 ENDS

About Rightmove

• Rightmove has the UK’s largest selection of properties for sale and to rent, adds more listings than anyone else, and over 80% of all time spent on property portals is on Rightmove.
• Rightmove’s vision is to give everyone the belief that they can make their move by giving people the best place to turn and return to for access to tools and expertise to make it happen.
• People can search Rightmove for residential resale, new homes, rentals, commercial property and overseas properties and use tools and information including getting a Mortgage in Principle, checking local sold prices, property valuations, market trends, maps and schools.
• Customers include the following key groups: estate agents, letting agents, new homes developers, rental operators, commercial property operators, overseas property agents and financial services operators
• Using the UK’s largest housing datasets, we issue a number of regular reports to track housing market indicators: our monthly House Price Index (established 2002), quarterly Rental Trends Tracker (established 2015), weekly Mortgage Rates Tracker (established 2023) and quarterly Commercial Insights Tracker (established 2024). Historical data is available on request
• Founded in 2000, Rightmove listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2006 and is a member of the FTSE 100 index.
• For more information, please visit www.rightmove.co.uk/claims