In recent years, a number of emerging overseas property destinations have been flooding the market, each claiming to be the next ‘big thing’.

This has led the market to become somewhat crowded and perhaps rather confusing for investors. Despite this, it is the old favourites that are once again in the form of their lives!

According to the latest Quarterly Index released by www.OverseasGuidesCompany.com interest in overseas property amongst British people remains strongest in France, Spain and the USA. The report also recorded a large overall increase in enquiries for buying abroad during Q1 2012 compared to Q4 2011 and the same period last year.

The quarterly index, which provides free guides to 15 countries, showed that France attracted 22 per cent of all enquiries during the first three months of this year, more than any other country. Spain pulled in the second highest share with 16 per cent, followed by the USA with 15 per cent. Significantly, the next most popular, Australia, had just 9 per cent.

The total number of enquiries received by www.OverseasGuidesCompany.com for its country specific guides grew by 38 per cent quarter-on-quarter, namely from 4,677 in Q4 2011 to 6,468 in Q1 2012. Encouragingly, the year-on-year growth was far greater – a staggering 128 per cent, from 2,843 in Q1 2011.

Richard Way, Editor of www.OverseasGuidesCompany.com, commented on the latest figures: “Discounted prices are not the only driver in France and Spain at the moment. The last month or two has seen Sterling creep up in value against the euro, partly due to the festering Eurozone debt crisis; so that the current exchange rate is the most favourable it’s been for a year and a half for Brits exchanging pounds. We are also seeing close to a six month high in the value of the pound against the dollar which could be responsible in part for driving the US property market. Our sister company, Smart Currency Exchange, has as a result been able to secure some very favourable rates for buyers and vendors in each of these countries.”

“In Spain one of our partners is promoting brand new two-bedroom apartments close to the beach in Almeria for less than £100K, secured with just a £5,000 deposit and the rest covered by finance. Also a partner in France is marketing a traditional four-bedroom home in the Charente for just £90k.”

In the USA, there are more positive economic indicators, certainly than those coming out of Europe which has led analysts to believe that the downturn in Florida’s property market has bottomed out. Prices, as well as the theme parks and year-round sunshine, have a lot to do with its popularity.

Richard continues, “Our partner who operates in the popular Orlando area is currently promoting a four-bedroom detached home in Kissimmee for just $75,000, around £43K, with a return on investment of 9.5 -10.6 per cent! That same realtor is also promoting a one-bedroom condo for $29,000, less than £19K along with a swish three bedroom family home on a golf and country club community in Sarasota on the Gulf Coast for just £135K.”

One thing is for sure, despite the financial constraints of the last few years the Brits appetite for property investment overseas remains steadfast and despite the lure of financially appealing investments from every corner of the globe it is the old favorites’ of France, Spain and the USA that continue to appeal especially with the deals available today.

For a free guide to moving abroad download The Overseas Guides Company’s free Emigration guide by clicking here.

For details of property for sale overseas, visit the listings on Rightmove Overseas. Using Smart Currency Exchange for all your currency transfers is the first step to making your pounds go further when buying a property abroad or emigrating there. For a free report on how to save money when making currency transfers click here, or visit the Currency Zone.