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Homestra vs Rightmove: which platform should you choose?
Compare Homestra and Rightmove for your property search. Learn which portal is best for UK vs European second homes with this practical guide.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for expats and international buyers weighing a UK-focused portal (Rightmove) against a Europe-wide second-home platform (Homestra). It helps you decide which to open first and how to use each effectively. You'll need basic property-buying familiarity. For cross-border purchases, a local lawyer and tax advisor are essential. Nothing here is legal advice.
Which platform to choose: a quick decision rule
Start with Homestra if you're searching across multiple European countries or specifically want second-home listings. Its database covers over 200,000 properties across Europe, with country-specific guidance for markets like Sweden where, as Homestra's own buyer guide confirms, there are no foreign-ownership restrictions.
Start with Rightmove if your search is UK-only and you want depth on sold-price context. Rightmove pulls sold-price data monthly from HM Land Registry (HMLR) and the Registers of Scotland (RoS), per its Customer FAQ (August 2026). That data carries a lag, so treat it as directional, not real-time.
Three scenarios at a glance:
- UK-only retirement or relocation: Open Rightmove first for local market comparables. Cross-check SDLT costs: a 5% surcharge applies on top of standard rates for additional/second residential property in England and Northern Ireland (Landlord Tax Lab, August 2026).
- UK plus continental Europe comparison: Use Rightmove for UK sold-price context, then Homestra to explore EU options and get country-specific process guidance.
- Second home in continental Europe only: Start on Homestra. Its multi-country search and second-home filters are built for this use case.
A practical five-step workflow for international buyers
- Define your shortlist. On Homestra, filter by country, property type, and price range. On Rightmove, set saved searches with email alerts for UK areas.
- Validate pricing. Rightmove's sold prices come from HMLR/RoS via a monthly feed. Check dates on those records; a property that sold recently may not appear yet. For EU markets, ask listing agents for recent comparable sales directly.
- Request compliance documents early. For UK properties, ask agents for the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) before booking a viewing. For EU purchases, each country has its own documentation requirements. Homestra's Sweden guide, for example, outlines a "besiktning" (property inspection) as a standard step before signing a "köpekontrakt" (purchase agreement).
- Contact agents with a clear message. State your language preference, request video viewings if you're remote, ask for all compliance docs upfront, and, for seasonal properties, confirm service access in winter.
- Line up legal and tax support. For UK second homes, use a conveyancer experienced with non-residents. For EU purchases, local notaries and independent inspectors are standard. Ask your advisor about residency status, stamp duty, capital gains tax exposure, and required identification documents.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't assume Rightmove's sold-price data is current. The monthly feed from HMLR/RoS means records can lag by weeks or longer.
Don't skip the 5% SDLT surcharge calculation if you already own property and are buying an additional UK home. It applies on top of standard rates and significantly affects budget planning.
For EU purchases, portal listings are a starting point. Country-specific steps matter: in Sweden, for instance, title registration ("lagfart") carries 1.5% stamp duty plus an 825 SEK fixed fee, per Homestra's buyer guide. Details like these don't appear on a generic portal listing.
Getting the right help
Once you've shortlisted properties on either platform, confirm early whether the agent represents the seller, buyer, or both. For UK purchases, engage a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. For EU purchases, a local notary is typically required, and an independent inspector adds protection.
Ask your advisor: What is my tax residency status? What stamp duty or CGT applies? What identification and source-of-funds documents are required? What does the inspection cover?
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