Cork trumps all other counties
Cork is currently the most popular location for prospective US property buyers new figures revealed yesterday.
According to property advisor, Savills Ireland, visits from US users to its website are up by 49% in the past three months versus the same period last year, with Cork sitting pretty on top of the pile.
The figures were taken from between 6 November (US election day) and 11 February.
Catherine McAuliffe, Director of Residential, Savills Cork, said much of the interest in Cork properties can be attributed to the region’s natural beauty and rich culture.
She said: “Cork remains the most popular destination for US purchasers, as indicated in our recent analysis of the demand for prime country homes.
“This ongoing trend is a testament to the unique charm and investment potential of Irish real estate, particularly in regions offering rich cultural and natural landscapes,” added Ms McAuliffe.
This sustained interest builds on an initial spike right after the election, when searches from the US jumped by an average of 342% from the week before. Further analysis of the three months following the election, compared to the same timeframe a year earlier, confirms this continued strong interest from US audiences.
Savills attributes this ongoing interest to potential economic and political shifts in the US, making Ireland an increasingly attractive destination for investment and relocation.
Delaware, former president Joe Biden's home state, led the pack, reflecting its Democratic leanings with a 130.34% increase in property searches for Ireland in the past three months versus the same period last year.
Vermont, with a 111.81% increase, and Virginia, with an increase of 110.91%, placed second and third behind Delaware. Both Vermont and Virginia were won by Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the recent US election.
James Butler, Director of Country Agency at Savills Ireland, said: “The continued interest from the US in Irish properties, especially in country homes, underscores the enduring appeal of Ireland as a prime destination for international buyers looking for stability and quality of life.”
Meanwhile, property searches for Ireland in some Republican states such as Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee have fallen significantly since the election of President Donal Trump versus the same period last year.