Overseas mortgage specialist Conti has reported a rise in enquiries over 37% so far this year, compared with 2013.

Spain continues to top the list of hot spots, accounting for 51% of enquiries received over January to September. The volume of enquiries for Spain has, in fact, increased by 95% when compared with 2013. France, in second place, accounts for 29% of enquiries received so far this year, followed by Portugal with 12%.

The firm said that France appears to be making a comeback, overtaking Spain in the third quarter with 35% of enquiries, and 45% in September alone, compared with 32% and 18% for Spain respectively.

Clare Nessling (pictured), director at Conti, said: “When you combine the strong pound with the low property prices to be found in many European property markets together with historically low mortgage rates, affordability is better than it has been in years.

“With buyers’ budgets stretching that much further, the purchase of that place in the sun could seem even more tempting, especially when you compare the cost with overheated parts of the UK market.”