Increasing numbers of people are looking to purchase foreign properties, with the growth of sterling against the dollar noted as a driving force.

During the past month there has been a sharp increase in the number of transactions taking place for American homes, according to Terry Hobbs, media manager at PropertyShowrooms.com.

He stated that the period between July 15th 2010 and June 26th had seen a 12 per cent increase in the sales of these properties compared with the same number of days prior to July 12th.

The rise in the exchange rate in the favour of sterling is thought to be behind this peak, Mr Hobbs added.

"If you were looking at that on a purchase of around $200,000 (£130,000) then you would be looking at a saving of nearly $16,000," he said.

A recent study from Primelocation reported that a third of people who were looking at buying a property abroad were thinking of emigrating permanently.

Written by Paul Governor

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