Rise in searches for property in emerging markets
From "FOH News" on 13 May 2008
However, some of the biggest movers and shakers this month were from Central and South America. Enquiries about Venezuela helped the country move up five spots to 18th position, while Uruguay became the portal’s highest new entry this month going straight to 21st position on the table. Interest in Argentina stayed the same in April (20th) while the Dominican Republic soared up the charts to become April’s highest climber, rising 15 spots to 25th.
Italy won the battle for top spot in April – the first time since August 2007. The portal explained that interest in the country is spread out across its varying regions.
"Italy’s popularity continues to be underpinned by emerging markets such as Sicily, Abbruzzo and Italy’s ‘jewel of the sun’, Calabria," said a spokesperson. "With Silvio Berlusconi recently elected as Italy’s new Prime Minister, things could also be looking up for the Italian economy. During his five-year term, Berlusconi wants to lower the fiscal burden - the amount of taxes paid as a percentage of gross domestic product - from 43% to less than 40%. He has also pledged to reduce the highest tax bracket of 43%, which kicks in at €75,000 to 33%."
The USA consolidated its position in the top three by moving up one place to 2nd. While Spain, last month’s number one, slipped two spots to third on the chart.
Overall Enquiry Volume for April 2008
Country Share Change Comment
1 Italy
9.33 Up 1 1 month in top spot
2 USA
7.5 Up 1
3 Spain
6.8 Down 2
4 France
6.63 Up 1
5 UAE
5.7 Up 6 New to top 10
6 Cyprus
5.14 Non-mover
7 Portugal
4.86 Down 3
8 Egypt
3.89 Up 7 New to top 10
9 Bulgaria
3.63 Down 2
10 Thailand
3.44 Down 1
11 Germany
3.05 Up 3
12 Turkey
3.02 Up 1
13 Brazil
2.89 Down 5
14 India
2.62 Down 4
15 Morocco
1.29 Down 3
16 Romania
1.12 Up 10
17 Canada
1.06 Down 1
18 Venezuela
1.05 Up 5
19 Greece
1.01 Non-mover
20 Argentina
1.01 Down 3
21 Uruguay
0.99 Highest New Entry
22 Hungary
0.96 Down 2
23 Croatia
0.96 Up 2
24 South Africa
0.89 Up 3
25 Dominican Republic
0.85 Up 15 Highest climber
26 Cape Verde
0.78 Down 2
27 Poland
0.77 Up 4
28 Panama
0.7 Down 6
29 Malaysia
0.58 Up 10
30 Albania
0.54 Down 9
31 Slovakia
0.47 Down 3
32 Czech Republic
0.42 Up 3
33 Bahamas
0.35 Up 4
34 Saudi Arabia
0.31 Up 14
35 Montenegro
0.28 Down 3
36 Sweden
0.28 Down 2
37 Philippines
0.26 Down 4
38 Austria
0.26 Down 2
39 Australia
0.23 Down 10 Biggest faller
40 New Zealand
0.19 Down 2
