Readers of ShelterOffshore will be well aware that we concentrate on a number of the most interesting overseas destinations for property hunters – we cover the evergreen favourites such as Spain and France as well as showcasing some of the more interesting stable yet emerging markets such as Bulgaria and Belize for example.
Complimenting independent property abroad information sites such as our own is a brand new buying property abroad advice service that has been launched by Barclays Bank, it offers those considering purchasing properties in Spain, Portugal, France or Italy a hotline for information about everything from money matters and mortgages to cultural and social advice.
Barclays Bank has a very solid presence in the four countries it has chosen to cover initially within the scope of its buying property abroad advice service; in fact Barclays has well in excess of six hundred branches throughout Italy, France, Spain and Portugal meaning that they have truly local knowledge that will benefit those who use their website or hotline services.
Naturally enough, as one of the leading and most respected financial institutions in the world they also have expertise in money matters from mortgages and bank accounts to expatriate taxation issues and transferring money abroad cost effectively and securely.
The powerful combination of local knowledge and financial expertise means that Barclays were well placed to be first into the property abroad market with such a unique and value added service for both customers and those in need of help when buying real estate in Southern Europe.
And Barclays have an impressive potential client base to market this service to – their own research has shown that currently 2.2 million people own a home overseas and that this number is set to double within the next decade, that circa 70,000 people annually purchase a new home in Spain, 50,000 in France and between 10,000 and 15,000 buy second homes, retirement homes and investment properties in Italy and Portugal.
The fact that Barclays have opted to venture outside of their comfort zone of providing best financial advice is very interesting, quite admirable and everso clever!
As a company they are well aware that there is an overwhelming requirement from those considering or in the process of buying property abroad for advice not just about opening a bank account but about the language, customs, schooling and health care issues in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal for example - and by providing this information for free and relationship building with the buyer in question, they will ideally secure the loyalty of the enquirer who will probably at some point in the future ask Barclays as opposed to HSBC or Lloyds for example to assist with their personal finances.
We’re not being cynical – honestly – this is a truly great service, it is innovative, it is useful, it is well informed and above all else it really can assist anyone looking to buy property in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal and if you fall into this bracket then check it out.
