The current state of the housing sector needs to improve before people look to buy abroad, according to one property journalist.

Editor of Homes Overseas Marc Da-Silva said it would be premature to look for houses overseas.

He added: "There are a lot more people trying to buy overseas for tax purposes [because] of the new higher rate of tax coming into play next year."

Mr Da-Silva observed that the currency issue must not be overlooked if people wish to purchase foreign property, stating it was fundamentally important to a recovery in the foreign property market.

The Spanish housing sector has shrunk by 30 per cent but this will be offset by the fall in value of the pound over the last few years which is now 30 per cent cheaper than the euro.

However, A Place in the Sun recently predicted that the best country for foreign property investment this year would be Spain.

People interested in moving house may want to make the process easier by using self storage facilities.

Written by Emily Sanders