Searches for overseas property fell by 2.3% in October 2010, continuing the seasonal slowdown according to Rightmove.

The more popular traditional European destinations took the brunt of the decline, as areas of France, Italy and Portugal topped the list. However a number of second division destinations stood out and bucked the trend, actually increasing in activity, with Germany and Ireland seeing rises in searches of 7.45% and 8.11% respectively.

Robin Wilson, head of overseas at Rightmove said: “We expected lifestyle buyers to begin winding down their activity as their thoughts turn to the holiday season, but the increased activity in less obvious destinations could indicate there are investors out there prepared to start dipping their toes in the water again.

“We’ve been tipping Germany for a while now and once again it shows good form climbing the rankings and putting on 8% in search activity. Ireland also put on a useful 7% overall with Cork on its own jumping over 32%. The only countries in the Top 20 putting on increases this month are the USA, Australia, Germany, Egypt, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland, Austria and India.

“What have all these countries got in common? They are pretty safe secondary markets with good established infrastructure, certainly not classic investment or exotic ‘new market’ destinations. It might be too early to call, but we may be seeing the emergence of a new breed of disciplined investors, more interested in long term gains than quick bucks. That kind of buyer will demand a level of quality and service from opportunities that will require developers and agents to really step up their game – and that can only be good for the industry.”