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.

Not so long ago everyone was snapping up second homes on a sunny Spanish Costa or other equally warm European destination. But now the escalating debt crisis in Southern Europe is affecting the number of Brits looking for a home abroad.

Our new research reveals interest in Portuguese, Italian, Greek and Spanish property fell by almost a quarter (24%) between January and June this year.

As concerns mount that Italy and Spain may be the next victims of the toxic European debt crisis, our data suggests their sensitive property markets are already suffering.

The table below shows each country’s percentage decline of interest in property searches.

Interestingly, although Ireland suffered at the beginning of the year, it’s the only debt-ridden nation to have an increase in property searches, up 12 per cent between April and June, compared to the first three months of the year. Perhaps investors think the country has now hit rock-bottom and are taking advantage of the low prices?

This research also backs up recent findings from estate agents Knight Frank which revealed second home ownership in England is at its highest on record as families enjoy ‘generational staycations’ – where they take the grand-parents and children away to a large family holiday home within the UK.

But whilst the economy may be more stable here, we do lack the continental sunshine.

This Friday the Channel 4 TV show A Place in the Sun begins its three day tenancy at Earls Court in London and Primelocation International will be there, along with 160 companies offering overseas properties for sale and homebuying services.

Headlining the event will the show’s three most famous presenters – Amanda Lamb (who presents the show’s video, below), Jonnie Irwin and Jasmine Harman – who will be appearing on stage to give advice about buying foreign property and answer questions about their work as TV presenters and signing copies of A Place in the Sun magazine. But they will also be joined by other experts including LBC radio presenter, property investment guru and Apprentice TV show contestant James Maxx.

VIDEO: Watch Amanda Lamb introduce this year’s A Place in Sun Live show

Primelocation International’s property analyst Nigel Lewis will also speaking every day at the show on the main stage, revealing ‘ten things you didn’t know about overseas property’ including which country has the easiest buying/conveyancing process; which town the Spanish holiday home revolution started in, which country offers the best quality of life and which day was the best financially to buy a property in Europe over the past year. Catch him during the show at 11.45am on Friday, 12.30pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday.

And if you want a free ticket to attend the show – follow this link to claim yours.

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.

Many places in the world have quirky, unique properties, but few are more unusual than Puglia’s Trulli.

The Trullo – circular properties with conical shaped roofs – are unique to the area of Puglia, or Apuglia, in Italy (the region that sits at the ‘heel’ of Italy’s ‘boot’). The area has gained world recognition for these unusual circular homes and they’re now even protected by UNESCO. Trulli can be found across the region, where they make a very different type of home or quirky holiday property, but they’re most commonly found in the Itrea Valley and in Alberobello.

Trulli date back to the 16^th and 17^th centuries and were originally built of dry limestone rocks, without the use of any mortar. Their thick walls help keep them warm during chilly winters and cool during hot, dry summers. Peasant families were the key residents in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, but adjacent Trulli used to be used to house their animals too!

Today the Trulli continue to be popular, with many older Trulli having undergone renovation and lots of new versions built to complement the old traditional homes. For a truly (sorry!) unique home that you certainly wouldn’t come across in the UK, then a Trulli fits the bill perfectly.

Trulli on the market

If you fancy investigating Trulli further, or exploring what the area of Puglia has to offer, then here’s a selection of these quirky homes currently on the market.

This Trulli in the Fasano area of Puglia has been lovingly restored to create a three-bedroom home with an entrance hall, lounge/large kitchen, bathroom and storeroom. It benefits from central heating, a carport, a patio and a converted stable, which is currently used as one-bedroom apartment. It’s on the market for £240,965.

This newly restored Trulli  in Ostuni has two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and bathroom (it’s worth clicking through and having a look at the pictures of this property, as they show how unique the inside of the building is). It’s located in the leafy green countryside, in an elevated position, and comes with enough land to build a pool outside, amongst the olive groves and pine trees. It’s on the market for £258,412.

This three coned Trulli in Di Sopra, Puglia, has been renovated, refurbished and extended, using local materials and techniques. It now has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two reception rooms, a dining room and large roof terrace with views across the valley. It’s on the market for £268,244.

This unusual five coned Trulli in the centre of Ostuni dates back to the 9^th century. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and one open plan kitchen and living area. There are original frescoes above the front door and 8000sqm of land outside, including a plunge pool built into the rocks. It’s on the market for £212,267.

If you fancy having a go at renovating and restoring your own Trulli, then here’s a potential project. These two Trulli buildings are ripe for renovation – the main house has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and additional outdoor kitchen and the second is a smaller one-bedroom property. They’re set within 8000m2 of grounds, with fruit trees and olive groves, and are on the market for £209,139.

Find more Trulli for sale here.

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.

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.

James Bond, one of the world’s best loved action heroes is back with his latest adventure, Quantum of Solace. The films are notorious for taking place in some of the world’s most stunning locations and, if you want to follow in his footsteps and live where Bond’s been, here’s a round-up of some of the top property locations 007 films have featured.

Panama City
Panama makes its appearance in Quantum of Solace and it’s a very well-timed inclusion, as property in the country is booming at the moment. Located between Colombia and Costa Rica, Panama’s a comparable size to Ireland and has coastlines bordering the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It’s already very popular with North American buyers and tourism in Panama has become one of the fastest growing in Central America. As well as areas around the coastline, Panama City is one of the hottest places to invest in property.

Montenegro
The film Casino Royale was partially set in Montenegro, with a particularly high stakes poker game located in a Montenegrin casino. The country has recently become even more accessible for property buyers, thanks to the launch of direct flights from the UK. With tourism increasing, there are likely to be good opportunities for renting out properties too.

The Bahamas
The sandy white beaches and pure blue seas of the Caribbean islands in the Bahamas have featured in several Bond films (no wonder, as they’re gorgeous), including Thunderball with Sean Connery and Casino Royale with Daniel Craig. The Caribbean is one of the ultimate dream locations for foreign property buyers and, with no income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax, it’s got definite perks.

Cagliari, Sardinia

Sardinia
The beautiful Italian island of Sardinia, the second largest in the Mediterranean, was included as a location in The Spy Who Loved Me. Located 120 miles from mainland Italy, it’s blessed with a diverse landscape and numerous sheltered sandy beaches. Already favoured by many rich and famous stars, Bond fits into the lifestyle here perfectly. The Spy Who Loved Me was filmed in the Porto Cervo area of Sardinia, one of the most popular areas of the Costa Smeralda on the north-western shores of the island.