If you are about to buy an overseas property then, despite today’s uncertain global economy, you are one of a growing number of people returning to the market after a period of, how shall we say, choppy waters.

The latest PrimeLocation.com International Search Index, which is published quarterly, reveals that the number of people house hunting on our site increased overall by 14% during the third quarter of 2011 and by 17% for the top ten most popular destinations (see list below).

At the top of the table, the United States is the most popular attracting 31% more searches than in the previous three months and overall it remains the third most popular destination for property hunters.

France: one of the European countries that an increasing number of British buyers searched for last quarter.

Switzerland was another big winner within the top ten – the number of searches for its Alpine homes increased by 30%, helped by the thousands of wealthy Brits moving money into its safe haven property markets at the moment.

But what, you may ask, is stirring people to buy overseas when several of the countries popular with British buyers are facing financial meltdown – i.e. Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal?

The answer is that searches are beginning to increase again in the better known destinations despite the financial problems besetting them as many British retirees decide it’s time to emigrate to Europe and beyond for a better quality of life despite the recession.

PrimeLocation.com index also recorded more interest in Germany; searches there rose by 28% compared to the previous quarter driven by its status as the darling of international investor set as its economy shrugs off the recession.

So are there any losers? Only two countries within the top ten saw a decline. Searches for Cyprus property fell by one per cent, and the United Arab Emirates by five per cent, which dropped one place as a result within the Top Ten.

For a full list of the most popular countries by volume of searchs, go to www.primelocation.com.

They say the grass is greener on the other side and now more Brits are shunning the gloomy UK and moving to a greener side – over the Channel – to France in the hope of enjoying a better quality of life, agents report.

With its ambient capital city, wine regions, beaches and top class skiing, the country’s diversity and proximity to our shores has historically made France a popular place to holiday. French property expert Patrick Joseph, from my-french-house.com, helps Brits find houses in France and has noticed our needs are changing.

“When I first started sourcing property for British buyers in 2004 most of my work involved finding second homes and renovation opportunities for investors looking for property in popular holiday destinations that would provide a good rental income over the summer months,” Joseph says.  “But there has been a definite shift towards relocation and self-sufficiency in recent years.”

France almost always tops the quality of life tables. As a nation, they fight hard for their lifestyle, be it keeping the retirement age down, their holiday allowances up or wages uncut and in return they enjoy the best quality of life in Europe. And, Frogs legs and snails aside, they are also known for their fabulous food, normally enjoyed over long leisurely lunches.

So, instead of a quick mini break across the Channel we’re thinking twice about heading back to the expensive, over-crowded, corporate UK and choosing to buy homes in France – and the cost of a relaxed country life there is more affordable too.

“An increasing number of enquiries are for small country houses with several acres of land where people can enjoy a greener lifestyle,” says Joseph. “A rural lifestyle in England comes with a hefty price tag and UK buyers are discovering that they can achieve their dream of a sustainable lifestyle across the Channel far more cheaply. In some parts of France such as Poitou Charentes and the north Dordogne homes can be picked up for as little as €150,000 to €200,000.”

If you’re now dreaming of baguettes, brie and a bottle of Beaujolais in the garden of your new French country home, you’re not alone and you’d also be investing in a stable property market. Now all you need to do is learn the lingo.

Find an airport overseas and invariably, as long as the flights are affordable from the UK, you will find holiday homes nearby. This works both ways. Property abroad can rise in value when routes start up, but equally Brits can be left high and dry when they close. So which way will the new routes announced this week go?

The most recent example is Albania, the poorest nation in south eastern Europe and arguably the least secure. Its ‘emerging’ economy hasn’t put off developers building luxury resorts there and with prices starting at €39,000 some investors are piling in. One reason why they’re happy to take the risk and buy property in Albania is thanks to the world’s favourite airline – British Airways this week increased the number of flights between London and Tirana – Albania’s capital – from three times a week to a daily service.

Overall, Albania’s economic indicators are travelling in the right direction. Tourism is increasing for those happy to venture into a country still in the grips of post-Communist architecture – there’s been an 8.5 per cent increase so far this year – and it’s set to join the EU in 2014.

Ravin Maharajah, from Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa – a five-star residential development 45 minutes by car from Tirana, thinks the country’s success is going to continue:

“Interest from international second home buyers is steadily increasing as people realise the buying opportunity is now rather than later when the prices may have gone up.”

At the other end of the property scale, the Alps is another destination to which the number of flights is increasing. It’s one of the most expensive places in the world to buy homes and now budget operator Jet2 is bringing in the Scots – the new services are from Glasgow (to Geneva) and Edinburgh (to Salzburg/Chambery) from December this year.

This is good for those with ski chalets in the Alps as it will increase demand for property at a time when it’s been falling away during the recession. Charlie Williams, from ski property developer Terresens, says: “Giving home owners and holiday makers more choice and more availability to fly is always very positive news. We are particularly interested in the new flights being opened to Chambery.

“This airport is a very key portal to get into the Alps but particularly good for people wanting to ski in the Tarentaise as the airport is only just over an hour from most resorts in this area.  This ski region includes Val d’Isere and Tignes which is undoubtedly one of the largest ski areas in the world.”

Owning a French holiday home but only using it occasionally will get more expensive next year after France’s government pushed the first stages of a new property tax regime through the National Assembly.

The tax, which could force many holiday home owners to pay between £500 and £3,000 a year extra in tax – depending where they own – will be levied on the 350,000 foreign-owned second homes in France, of which 200,000 are owned by Brits.

Still friends: Will Cameron still be shaking Sarkozy's hand when the French president's new tax on British homeowners comes in next January?

France’s embattled French president is proposing to raise £176 million with a third property tax specifically on holiday home ownership but, although he has said it is not about taxing foreigners, the new duty will not apply to people who have been tax resident in France for three of the past ten years which means that, apart from French people who live outside France, it won’t apply to – for example – Parisians with rural or coastal holiday homes.

Property owners in France already pay two taxes on their property. The first is the Taxe d’Habitation, which is variable, paid by the person living in the property (owner or tenant). The second,the Taxe Fonciere is also variable but always paid by the property’s owner regardless of how much they use it.
Part of the Taxe Fonciere documentation includes a ‘valeur locative cadastrale’ which is the average potential rental value of a property and the new tax will be 20% of this.

Pretty taxing: holiday homes in places like the Tarne et Garonne will soon face a third property tax on top of the two existing ones.

So let’s say you own a holiday home in Nice, use it from time to time but its ‘assessed’ rental value is €5,000 a year, then you’ll pay €1,000 or 20% of £5,000.

There are three groups of people who will be exempt from the tax, which is due to be introduced in January 2012. These are anyone who has signed up to a ‘leaseback’ arrangement with a company such as Pierres et Vacances; non-French who live in France permanently; and anyone who puts their property on the books of a local letting agent and therefore – in theory – makes it ‘available’ for rent year round.

This last exemption is in effect a loophole that would be impossible to police and may render is impossible to levy. But as an obstacle to the tax’s success it is nothing compared to the European Court.

Several legal groups have said they will challenge the new tax on the basis that, although not stated openly, in practice it will be a tax almost exclusively on foreigners and therefore illegal under European law.

Waiting to sell (LtoR): Sophie and Rupert Scott with children Charlie, Ediir and Lulu outside their Cote d'Azur home.

If you have seen this summer’s blockbuster Inception then the haunting refrain of French cabaret singer Edith Piaf’s 1960 hit Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien will be familiar – it features several times in the film and was a ‘prime source’ of inspiration for the film’s composer, Hans Zimmer.

But an English family living on France’s Cote d’Azur are hoping this higher profile for Piaf – who died in 1960 – will help them sell their luxurious home. The property, which has four-bedrooms, three guest suites, a two-bedroom cottage, swimming pool and tennis courts, is the former and final home of the gifted but tragic singer.

Although this traditional, stone-built ‘bastide’ may have once echoed to the distinctive timbre of Piaf’s voice and despite owners Rupert and Sophie Scott reducing its price by €250,000 – Les Parretts has yet to find a buyer.

Piaf – real name Edith Gassion – owned the property for several decades until her death in 1963 from liver cancer. But for the Scotts it has been a shorter Vie en Rose in the hills overlooking Nice.

The couple, who’ve lived in the South of France for six years and have three children, are hoping to move back to Britain before the oldest starts at Millfield School in September.

During their tenure the family have been busy. As well as upgrading and redesigning the garden Rupert and Sophie have revamped the roof, eradicated damp throughout and re-arranged the oldest, central part of the property to include a farmhouse-style kitchen, sitting room and study.

But despite all this, their stunningly beautiful home remains unsold and the Scotts recently reduced their asking price to €8.5 million to reflect a local market that, local agents say, is quiet at the moment.

If you are interested in buying the property then contact agent  Savills or telephone 020 7016 3740.

What is it about France?

For me, it was the lure of the snow-covered Alps. What was it for you? The language? The gastronomy? The lifestyle? Once I was lured here, I discovered all these things and more, and now I find myself unable to leave. Holidays previously spent abroad are now spent discovering different regions of France. And what better way to see areas of France than from a convertible?

My first road trip centred on Normandy. First up was the Bayeaux. Strangely, the French don’t seem all that aware of the tapestry, and perhaps this is why Bayeaux remains a rather small town in the North. After having to learn about it at school in Australia, I was determined to see this thing for myself. Unfortunately, even photos without a flash are not allowed, so after waling around the entire glassed-off tapestry, I headed along the coastal road towards le Mont Saint Michel. War museums and bunkers are abundant along this slower road, and they provide good opportunities to stop and smell the salty air. Le Mont Saint Michel boasts the biggest tides in Europe. Accommodation is available both on and off the island, and both have advantages. I spent a night overlooking a part of the island that floods at the highest of tides, then a night off the island, walking up to the causeway that joins it to the mainland to see how lovely the island looks at night. This place is well worth a visit, with no cars beyond the causeway and narrow streets winding up to a monastery at the top.

Another road trip took me from my home in La Clusaz to Nice. The mountainous roads around Briançon provide a great top-down experience, especially for passengers who don’t have to concentrate. The route took me through a town called ‘Bonnuit’ (’good night’) and though Barcelonnette, which leads to the Cime de la Bonette. The narrow but freshly resurfaced and empty roads were breathtaking and the French are rumoured to have added an extra loop of road at the top to make the route an extra 50 metres higher in order to claim the title for the highest road in Europe at 2802 metres high. I really recommend this road — part of the Route Napoleon — for the natural views. Beware of clouds that act as thick fog. Just beyond the peak was an old army barracks, now turning to rubble, complete with cartoon murals inside. On the way back, I stopped in Digne-les-Bains and passed an amazingly blue lake, with lots of people dotted around swimming. If I had to move away from La Clusaz, this place would be on my list of alternatives.

On a summer road trip to the West coast, I stopped along the Dordogne — a popular tourist spot for Brits and the Dutch as well as the French. It’s easy to see why so many are attracted to this region. The weather is stable (unlike my mountains) and there is so much to see. Sarlat-la-Canéda stands out as a town full of activity throughout the day and into the night, with street performers, an open-air theatre, all sorts of restaurants and really narrow, pretty alleyways in the largely pedestrianised town. The town had a great relaxed feeling about it, and it’s also on the list of places to live if I ever leave La Clusaz. It’s also close to lots of great sites, such as the ancient cave paintings of Lascaux, the once-inhabited limestone cliff-faces such as La Roque Saint Christophe, a variety of castles and the beautifully sculpted Marqueyssac gardens. Slightly further away is the Gouffre de Padirac, an amazing underground cave complete with a Venetian-style boat ride and impressive scenery. Remember to ‘ooh’ at the first-ever plant life seen in the cave — from a seed that our guide said washed down and somehow germinated under one of the security lights. Along the coast, the still-French La Palmyre has big camping grounds and long beaches for surfing, without the crowds of more popular places like Biarritz. For me, the town felt a lot like a surf stop along the Victorian coast of Australia, with calm roads, unspoilt beaches and beachwear being the norm. Further down the coast, the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s largest dune, is a paragliding haven. Climbing the dune purely to get to the beach seemed to me like more effort than it was worth when the coastal town of Pyla-sur-Mer offers a beach on its doorstep. Obviously, it’s a bit busier, but on a hot day, who has the energy to conquer a huge sand dune? The drive home was a fast one, with the roof down at 130km/h on the toll roads, and still no relief from the heat. Lunch was a picnic under the gigantic Millau Bridge which is so high that I’m not sure I could drive over it.

My most recent road trip was not in a convertible. After driving my little Golf GTI cabriolet, the ex-La Poste van just didn’t have the same appeal. There were certainly less security hassles, but the roads just weren’t as much fun. Thankfully, visits to some bunkers in the North (La Coupole and Blockhaus d’ Eperlerques) made up for the boredom of driving a yellow thing with a big bubble dome and no power. After a night of rest in Reims, a city with a name that no non-French person can ever really pronounce and a lovely cathedral with a smiling angel, the road to the Jura ranges was hot and long. The reward was a stunning view of Geneva and Lac Léman on the descent towards La Clusaz, along with a much-needed cool breeze from the lake.

This summer, I’ll be back in the Golf for more top-down adventures.

April Hollands

Ever wondered what a finca was? You may well have come across the term when searching for property in Spain.

The nearest translated word is ‘farm’, but the term is used quite loosely to describe various rural properties with land and outbuildings. In fact, a finca can be anything from a tiny rural farm to a massive country estate.

What lies at the heart of the word finca, though, is the rural element, as the majority of fincas are located in the countryside.

If a property in the Spanish countryside is up your street, and you fancy owning some land too, then a finca may be the ideal type of property to go for.

There was a time when it was extremely easy to find an abundance of old or ruined fincas at dirt cheap prices. Not surprisingly, most of these bargains have been long since snapped up, although it’s still occasionally possible to find a property in need of renovation for a reasonable price.

Some  ruined fincas look beyond repair, but for inspiration check out the blog of this couple who set about the demanding task of restoring one in Andalucia.

If buying a ruin isn’t your thing, there are plenty of fincas for sale across Spain that are in a good state and suitable to move straight into. What’s more, some of the fincas have already been renovated and refurbished, saving you the time and effort.

Where properties are described as being ‘finca-style’, they’re unlikely to be a true, old finca. Instead, these are usually brand new properties that have been built to mimic the look and feel of an old finca.

Mountain views

If you’re looking for a large finca, then this five-bedroom renovated and extended finca could be ideal.

It’s located between Petra and Sineu, with views over the Tramuntana Mountains and the east coast, and has a separate guest house in the extension – great for having people to stay or to use for bed and breakfast accommodation.

It’s priced at £715,785.

Coastal village

This five-bedroom, old country finca is located close to the village of Campos and near the fishing town of Colonia Sant Jordi.

It’s accessed via a country road and has heaps of traditional features, such as old wooden doors, exposed beams and original tiled floors.

It’s priced at £589,470.

Andalucian acres

In Andalucia is a massive seven-bedroom, six bathroom finca set in rolling farmland and surrounded by mountains.

It comes with lots of barns and outbuildings, which could be converted to form further accommodation, a small wood, a pool and 12 acres of land.

It’s priced at £385,453.

Albatera

This finca in Albatera is a classic example of how deceptive your first view can be.

It looks small on the outside, but actually has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large lounge (with Chiminea) and a fantastic private pool area.

There’s also a large BBQ and outdoor kitchen area, utility rooms and even a lit up cacti garden!

It’s priced at £265,262.

If I was living abroad (and indeed, if I had won the lottery), a vineyard would be a dream come true. I don’t know all that much about wine, but I do rather enjoy a glass. And there’s something rather romantic about rolling hills and serene countryside. That would be quite a nice view if you coupled it with a glass of white. Don’t you think? So here are my picks of the best vineyard finds.

France

This stunning French vineyard property is just 18 miles north of Bordeaux. It comes with 45 hectares of vineyards (the property has a whopping 75 hectares of land you see). There is potential to develop it into a hotel, and at £14 million you might want to see if you could get some of that cash back, but I can’t quite get past how pretty it is. I’d much rather keep it all to myself. Although exactly what I’d do with 20 bedrooms I’m not sure. Still, if you’ve got a few million quid in the bank, a (very) large family and a penchant for a good bottle of plonk, this place could be for you. Or, you can check out these other French vineyard properties.

 
Italy

We couldn’t write about vineyards without mentioning Italy, could we? We this lovely pile of stone is right in the heart of Chianti (yes, get your Hannibal Lecter impressions out of the way now, go on). And well, it’s not only a stunning building, it produces a staggering 250,000 bottles of first class wine each year. Yet it does that and still manages to look like a charming little Italian farmhouse. Isn’t that clever. I want this one. If you’ve got a spare £13 million then it’s all yours. I might have to save my pennies for a little while first. In the meantime I’ll drool over these too.

Portugal

OK, so I’ve gone a little teensy bit crazy with the pricey houses. And I don’t really need 20 bedrooms. So this Portuguese vineyard property might just be within reach. If you’ve got a million lying about in your pocket. But still, you’re saving heaps if you go for this one instead. It’s got 6 bedrooms, and a circular lounge with an all-important library. Whether or not the books are in Portuguese I don’t know. But there’s a vineyard in the grounds too, which is what we’re after. Great news. You can enjoy a tipple while you’re in the Jacuzzi. Wow.

For those buying a holiday home abroad who intend to make full use of it during the warm summer months, the ultimate must-have is a swimming pool.

There’s nothing quite like having your own, private swimming pool on hand, so you can take a dip and cool off, or get your daily dose of exercise without leaving the confines of your room. Plus, relaxing by the poolside in the sun, enjoying drinks by the pool before dinner or dining outside in the cooler evening air are the ultimate ingredients for perfect holiday living.

If you fancy snapping up your own luxury home with a swimming pool, then here is a great selection of prime homes, all sporting swimming pools of various sizes, located in the popular locations of Spain, France and Portugal. Take your pick!

Spain

Located in Atalaya Park, between Estepona and Marbella, this one-level house with five bedrooms and four bathrooms also boasts a private swimming pool, outdoor sauna and Jacuzzi. It’s on the market for £798,235.

Also available in Spain, is this five-bedroom house situated about five minutes from Palma. It benefits from air conditioning, has a large garden, extensive terraces and that all important swimming pool. It’s priced at £746,585.

France

A sunny six bedroom villa, located in the hills of Golfe-Juan and 10 minutes from Cannes is on the market for £895,994. Outside, it has a private heated swimming pool, plenty of space for relaxing on sun loungers and a stunning Mediterranean garden. Nice International Airport is only 15 minutes away.

An L-shaped, solar heated tiled swimming pool is the star of the show at a five-bedroom house in Montpelier for £861,730. Located in a residential area of a village, the outdoor living elements include a large covered terrace with exposed beams, landscaped gardens and the pool. The house comes with planning permission for an independent guest house.

 
Portugal

A five-bedroom country villa, located in Sta Barbara de Nexe, at Quinta do Lago in Portugal is on the market for £749,402. The house is partly furnished, has air conditioning and outside there’s a beautiful mature garden and lovely swimming pool. Faro International Airport, golf courses and beaches are 15 minutes away.

Elsewhere in Portugal, there’s a luxury villa for sale in landscaped gardens and citrus groves in the hills about Loule. Inside, the villa has underfloor heating, three double bedrooms solar panelling and air conditioning in the kitchen. Outside, it’s surrounded by gorgeous gardens and has an inviting swimming pool. There’s also a covered eating area with its own kitchen, which makes it perfect for outside eating and parties. It’s on the market for £727,803.

An often-cited reason people buy abroad is the dream of buying a house and land to run as a business – most typically, it’s a vineyard property.

The quintessential dream usually involves finding your dream home abroad, moving to live in it and start a new life, happily tending vineyards to earn a living or fund your retirement. Of course, sadly it’s not always as easy or straightforward as that and heading abroad to embark on running a vineyard can be very hard work, especially if it’s a complete change of life and new career. Long hours are likely to become the norm, if only as you get the business established, and if you’re starting from scratch, it can take a while to learn everything and yield any returns for all your hard work.

But despite the potential problems, many people do take up the challenge and try and make their dream a reality – and some are very successful. If you don’t have previous experience in the wine world, it helps to buy an already established business which may come complete with customers, so you don’t have to learn the ropes and do extensive marketing. Plus, some vineyard properties are sold with all the necessary equipment included, which can save time and money in the long run.

Alternatively, if you want to be able to get away from your work some of the time and don’t want to live on site, there are options to buy a vineyard and a house nearby.

If owning a vineyard and making wine is part of your dream, then there are plenty of prime properties around the world that could fit the bill. Here’s some insight into what your money could buy you in various countries.

France
Located near Sauveterre de Guyenne, in the Dordogne area of France, is a wine property with 15 hectares of Bordeaux vineyards. The stunning 17th century house, plus gite for wine guests, is surrounded by vines dating back 20 years, including 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. It also comes with longstanding customers and is on the market for £968,415.

Italy
A wine estate in the Massa Marittima area of Italy, with 19 hectares of land, is on the market for £1,642,095. It currently produces 50,000 bottles of rose and red wines a year, one of which is prize-winning, plus oil, honey and Grappa. The large wine cellar that comes with the property is being sold with all the wine-producing and packaging equipment.

New Zealand
At Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand a vineyard nursery set on 11.3 hectares is for sale. The successful nursery comes with buildings, plants and machinery and the existing nursery manager (18 years of experience) is keen to keep her job. It’s on the market for £795,000 – £900,000.