A survey has revealed the main reasons why people choose to purchase overseas property, with investment cited as the number one motive for people to head to sunnier climes and buy a property.

According to Homesgofast.com, a survey carried out between September and November this year revealed that wanting a second home abroad was the second biggest reason for people investing abroad, with retirement also on the list.

In total, 36 per cent said that investing was their main motivation for buying abroad, which those who own property in France or Spain may agree with.

Of those polled, 27 per cent said that the desire to own another home as well as their main residence was the reason they invested overseas.

Chief executive officer of the website Nicholas Marr said: "This survey indicates that investment is still very high on the agenda for the majority of people buying a property overseas."

Meanwhile, the fact that Portugal is now officially out of recession could tempt European property investors to buy a property in Portugal for investment purposes.

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