America will be the most sought-after country for international property investment in 2013, according to the Global Investor Sentiment Survey from Colliers International, which questions major institutional and private property investors from across the globe.

Asia will be close behind, along with the Western Europe capitals of London and Paris, plus major German cities.

Another expected trend next year is for investment to return slowly and steadily back into Western markets throughout 2013, but most likely for just a few key locations to begin with.

Properties in safe havens will be most in demand, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and New York. Investors will continue to target these markets through 2013.

Though many investors prefer to invest in domestic markets, around 25% look for property overseas. Offshore investors tend to favour Western Europe. Asian investors are likely to search in Australia and New Zealand.

Although the US will be most sought after for property investment, the Colliers report found that despite Europe’s economic woes and the fears of a break-up, many investors (60%) see this period as a good time to invest and are looking to expand their portfolio in Europe in the short term.