The uneven global recovery that followed the 2008 housing crash has fueled a new crop of luxury housing markets.

Politics, currency rates and potential economic growth are the top influencers when identifying real estate markets ripe with opportunity, according to Dan Conn, CEO of Christie's International Real Estate, which just released its annual luxury real estate outlook.

For instance, Mexico's stabilizing economy has prompted more locals to buy second homes -- and many are flocking to San Miguel de Allende.

"It's a beautiful place and it's become a more secure and stable place," said Conn.