Property portals report record New Year lead volumes

English-language overseas property portals are reporting record increases in property sales lead volumes in the first seven days of 2010, according to research from overseas property industry portal, Globaledge.co.uk.

UK market leader, Rightmove recorded its biggest-ever day on 4th January attracting over 25 million page impressions, beating the previous record set in August 2009 of 22.5m. Traffic to Rightmove Overseas is up nearly 25% on the first week of 2009 according to Head of Overseas Sales, Shameem Golamy.

Overseas property specialists, The Move Channel, Mondinion.com, HolProp.com, PropertyShowrooms.com and Property-Abroad.com are also reporting big rises in traffic and enquiry levels on the same period last year. The Move Channel say traffic is 32% up, while at Property Abroad, lead volumes rose 38% year-on-year according to founder Les Calvert.

Reasons to be cautious

Although the news will be music to the ears of internationally-focused real estate agents and property developers, it is important to keep in mind that increases in traffic and enquiry numbers are from an unusually low base says Globaledge.co.uk founder Ashley Rigg:

"Traffic and enquiry levels are significantly up on 2009 for all nine portals we surveyed but the low starting point of 2009 and the bad weather no doubt have something to do it. It really is too early to say whether the increases will be permanent but many people in the industry are hoping that positive recent media reports on the UK economy and house prices are feeding through to consumer confidence".

To view the article and research in full please visit http://www.globaledge.co.uk/news/portals-break-enquiry-records-in-flying-37173