Excellent buying conditions are continuing to draw British buyers back to the overseas property market. The number of enquiries received by Conti, the overseas mortgage specialist, increased by 38% in Q2 compared with the same period in 2013. And over the period of January to June 2014, enquiries shot up by 58% compared with the first half of last year.

The firm reports: ‘As for current hot spots, it’s the classic European destinations which are pulling the buyers in. Spain continues to be top choice, accounting for a huge 59% of total enquiries received in the second quarter, continuing the pattern Conti saw emerging in the first quarter. France, in second place, accounts for 27% of enquiries, followed by Portugal with 8%.

‘Bargain property prices and low interest rates are boosting buyers’ affordability, but the current strength of sterling is also having a very positive effect on their budgets, and the pound rising to a 22-month high of €1.26 is good news for anyone thinking of making a purchase.

‘When you consider that it was only last summer that the value of sterling was around €1.14, the difference is pretty significant when you translate it into property prices. It means that for someone considering a home in the Eurozone worth €200,000, the property now costs £158,730 compared with £175,439 at the start of August 2013. That’s a saving of £16,709.’