London versus the world! What can you get abroad for the price of an average property in the capital?
According to the UK government's December 2015 House Price Index, the average property in London now costs £514,097. Based on a quick Rightmove search, £514,097 is enough to purchase a new build one bedroom flat in Newham, a two bedroom flat in a converted house in Acton, or a four bedroom mid-terrace house in Tottenham in need of some serious modernisation.
But what could you get for the same money overseas? £514,097 is worth just over €656,151, or USD $743,053, at today's exchange rate, which opens up a wealth of property options to those looking to buy on the continent or even further afield.
Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes International, explains,
"There are some fantastic bargains to be had when it comes to overseas property at the moment. Portugal and Spain are offering incredible value for money and are just a short hop on a plane from the UK, making them ideal locations for second homes or investment properties that you want to keep a close eye on. For fans of the US, Florida is also offering some serious bargains and is a perennially popular destination thanks to its winning combination of sun, sea and theme parks."
In Portugal, €650,000 is enough for a four/five bedroom villa in the hills at Soalheira, 10 minutes from the beaches and golf courses of Vilamoura and just two minutes from the town of Loulé. The villa comes complete with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, pergola sunbathing area, pool house and gardener's bathroom, two double garages, ocean views, grill house with sink, fridge and BBQ, cinema room, wood burning fire and under-floor heating in the two bathrooms. A far cry from a run-down terraced house in Tottenham!
For beach bunnies, the Spanish island of Mallorca is the ideal location. There, €625,000 will buy a premium frontline townhouse with incredible sea views, close to the golf courses and marina of Porto Cristo. There are just seven spacious three bedroom townhouses on the Cala Magrana Mar development, from leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, which also benefits from a communal infinity pool and sunbathing area, designer fixtures and fittings and the latest security features.
Another option for those with €650,000 to spend is to invest in more than one property, which is easily achievable for this budget in both Portugal and Spain. Martin Dell, Director of Spanish property portal Kyero.com, comments,
"It's staggering what you can get in Spain for the price of an average London property. Those looking for rental investments can pick up a whole string of properties in idyllic coastal locations for that kind of money."
In the pretty seaside town of Javea, for example, detached villas with pools can be bought off plan for £189,800, with scope for the buyer to personalise the 
layout, with the build completed within 5-7 months. Instead of a one bedroom flat in E16, a buyer could pick up three of these villas and still have €80,000 left in his pocket.
Over in America, a buyer can easily pick up two five bedroom villas with pools in the hugely popular Kissimmee area of Florida for $743,053, the equivalent price of the average London home. Resort homes with screened in pool and spasn gated communities just a few miles from Walt Disney World are available for between $350,000 and $450,000. Certainly food for thought for all those thinking about buying a home in London at the moment!
For more information please contact:
Ideal Homes: 0800 133 7644, +351 289 513 434 | www.idealhomesinternational.co.uk | www.idealhomesportugal.com
Taylor Wimpey España: +44 08000 121 020 | www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.
Kyero.com: www.kyero.com
