First-time buyers in the UK are "rushing to escape stamp duty" it has been claimed, as any properties under the cost of £175,000 are exempt from such charges until December 31st.

However, such charges when buying a home could see UK buyers tempted to invest in an overseas property.

And with property markets beginning to recover around the world, now could be a good time for Brits to invest in property in Spain or a home in France.

The cost of buying a home in the UK could be putting purchasers off settling down in their home country, with figures from Winkworth estate agents showing that in 2008, the average percentage of enquiries from first-time buyers fell by almost 56 per cent to 19 per cent.

The Daily Mail recently noted that if property investors are able to pay for a home in cash, then the Spanish property market could provide some great bargains.

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