Housing invasion moves north

Enquiries about UK homes by potential US buyers see sharp increase

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A jump in inquiries from United States-based house hunters about homes for sale in the UK has been recorded by Rightmove.

The number of inquiries stemming from the US about homes for sale in the UK since the start of the year (covering 2025 so far up to the first week of May) is nearly a fifth (19%) higher than the same period last year, the website said.

Rightmove suggested that the impacts of global economic uncertainty are now being seen on the UK property market, following US President Donald Trump’s announcements about tariffs.

Homes in Edinburgh are most commonly grabbing the attention of US-based buyers this year so far, Rightmove's figures suggest, followed by properties in various London locations.

The number of US-based inquiries for the period is the highest that Rightmove has recorded since 2017.

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