Buying a property abroad is a big decision. Keeping your wits about you is essential when buying any home and here in Turkey it’s no different. You need to take your time making a decision, choose the right location, do your research, use professional guidance and not rush into any purchase.
Turkey Homes are fully accredited estate agents with many years experience in helping clients buy and sell properties in Turkey. With an head office in London, regional offices just off the Kordon (seafront promenade) in Fethiye, and others in Bodrum, Antalya and Istanbul, we are well versed in navigating the Turkish property market. To help make a property purchase easier, here’s our little guide on the do’s and don’ts when buying a property in Turkey:
Do set a realistic budget / Don’t overspend
It’s very easy to fall in love with apartments or villas in Turkey, similar properties in the UK or Spain cost considerably more. But, it’s also very easy to overspend which can lead to numerous problems down the line. Assess your finances before starting a property hunt and tell your agent. A good agent will listen and show you properties you can afford. Don’t get romanced by all that’s on offer and keep in mind that there will be additional purchase charges and often furnishing costs before you get it up and running. Set an ideal and maximum budget before you start looking.
Do use an accredited agent and lawyer / don’t just buy off a barman
We have all heard horror stories of people purchasing a property in Turkey only to find out the legalities were not in order. There was a time when everyone was selling Turkey properties – the barman, the hairdresser, the taxi driver, even a market trader, they all knew someone with land or a property and a great deal. This does still happen. To avoid pitfalls, do use a fully registered and accredited agent and employ an independent solicitor to oversee the sale. Although not strictly a legal requirement, good agents should run due-diligence checks on all properties and developments they represent and a decent lawyer will protect your interests giving you the peace of mind that you’re money and purchase is in good hands.
Do research areas / Don’t simply buy the first property you see
Turkey is diverse, there are a lot of locations and properties suiting different tastes and budgets. Here in Fethiye you have the town centre and suburbs of Deliktas or Tasyaka that offer a great range of apartments suiting those that want to live amongst the locals. Then there’s the popular resorts of Çalış, Hisarönü and Ovacık. Çalış is on the flat and boasts an established expat and tourist community and superb beach and sunsets. Ovacık and Hisarönü rest on the hillside, 10 minutes bus ride from the famed beach of Oludeniz. Both are great options for the buy to let investor or those looking to reside in the area. And, for those that want a big property for a great price, Üzümlü should be considered. Just 20 minutes inland from Fethiye this quaint village has an abundance of affordable villas for those looking for a more rural escape. Do your research and ask your agent to suggest areas first. It’s often best to pick a location then find out what property is on offer.
Do negotiate / Don’t accept the first price quoted
This is Turkey and as such a certain amount of negotiation on most things is expected. Unfortunately, gone are the days of 50 percent discounts, but it is possible to negotiate a deal in most cases. Be guided by your agent as they should know the vendor or developer. Tip: With new builds it may be better to negotiate inclusions (air con, upgrades etc.) rather than cash discounts. A builder tends to buy kit in bulk therefore gets the likes of white goods or materials at great rates – it may cost you considerably more to organise the same additions yourself.
Do keep looking / Don’t give up
There are many properties for sale in Turkey and buying a second or holiday home doesn’t need to be a long process (if you find what you’re after and already have the monies in place, the process can be completed in just 24 hours in many cases). But sometimes things simply don’t all fit into place and you may need to walk away before making a decision. If that’s the case, don’t give up. New properties come on the market on a daily basis. Keep an eye on Turkey Homes website for new listings and tell your agent to keep you informed on Turkish homes matching your criteria – do come back for a second look.
If you would like to know more about property for sale in Fethiye, please contact Turkey Homes. If you are in the area please drop by our office found below Cafe Park Teras, above the chemist opposite McDonalds on Fethiye’s seafront promenade – our friendly bi-lingual team will be happy to help.
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