Spain’s plans to slap Brits with a 100 percent property tax has not put us off – as a new study reveals a third of the UK still dream of owning a holiday home. We are so obsessed with the pipe dream of owning a villa in the sun, we spend four hours a week scrolling websites for their perfect property.

A new report claims 38 percent of us harbour this secret aspiration – with a sea view (68 percent), good Wi-Fi (53 percent) and a short stroll to the beach (46 percent) the second homes’ top must haves. After the UK (53 percent), the most popular place for a dream home remains Spain (22 percent), followed by Italy (15 percent), Greece (14 percent) and the USA (13 percent).

But 34 percent of us spend so much time thinking about our dream cottage or villa, it interferes with our job – while half (47 percent) cannot pass an estate agent’s window when away, to check out the local homes.

Yet heartbreakingly despite the lifelong dream, 27 percent of Britons admit they will never be able to own a holiday home in the UK or abroad.

The future of holiday home ownership report, commissioned by property co-ownership platform, MYNE, looked into the barriers of buying a dream place in the sun.

Unsurprisingly, cost (41 percent) is the main factor, along with taxes and fees (38 percent) especially with the threat of 100 percent property taxes in Spain, maintenance costs (33 percent) and dealing with local bureaucracy (28 percent).

According to the new report, two thirds of Britons (65 percent) would be open to investing in a co-ownership/shared holiday home to help navigate the challenges of foreign ownership.

Nikolaus Thomale, property expert and founder of MYNE, said: “Over the last few years owning a property abroad has become more complex. Especially for British people post-Brexit.

“However, the world has changed significantly in the last few years with more people craving flexibility in the way they work and live, looking for more sustainable options, and being smarter with their money.

“So, while British people still crave the benefits of a holiday home, the traditional holiday home model doesn’t suit the majority anymore.

“In business, the concept of a ‘shared economy’ is nothing new, but its potential in the holiday home space remains largely untapped.

“Much like shared ownership in the UK, this is an investment into a property, but you share that investment with other people who are also looking for a dream holiday home.”

DREAM HOLIDAY HOME ATTRIBUTES, ACCORDING TO BRITS:

A sea view – 68%

Good WIFI – 53%

A short stroll from the beach – 46%

A friendly village nearby – 44%

A swimming pool – 41%

Air conditioning – 38%

Comfortable beds/bathrooms – 37%

Smart TV – 35%

Good supermarket nearby – 34%

A view of the mountains – 31%

A nearby food market – 29%

Hot tub – 27%

Spacious garden – 26%

Fruit trees – 26%

Off-road parking – 24%

Not too many wasps or mosquitos – 24%

A stream or river nearby- 24%

A terrace – 24%

Games room – 23%

Home cinema – 23%

In-built BBQ – 22%

Kitchen island – 21%

Local artisan bakery – 18%

Gym – 17%

Off the beaten track – 16%

Outdoor kitchen – 16%

Sauna – 16%

Floor-to-ceiling windows – 16%

British neighbours – 16%

Fire pit – 16%