Property in Turkey - Guide to Buying Property in Turkey

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Overview
The Turkish Property Market
Historically, it was nearly impossible in most instances for a foreign
national to purchase real estate in Turkey. Indeed, for the most part,
Turkey maintained a nearly absolutely blanket prohibition against
foreign nationals having the ability to directly purchase and own real
estate in that country.
In 2003, the Turkish government liberalized the laws pertaining to the
ownership of real estate in that country. The actual steps taken by
the Turkish government to liberalize the real estate ownership laws in
that country as far as foreign nationals are concerned is discussed in
a bit more detail later.
With the liberalization of real estate laws in Turkey, a growing
number of foreign nationals are taking a second look at the
possibilities and opportunities that exist when it comes to real
estate in that country.
Investment Property in Turkey
Only in the past couple of years has there been any real movement in
regard to investment by foreign nationals in Turkish real estate. Of
course, the primary reason that this is a development of recent times
is the fact that Turkish laws regarding foreign ownership of real
estate were very restrictive until the past few years.
In any event, a growing number of foreign investors are turning
towards Turkey when it comes to real estate acquisitions. While there
certainly is not a flood of foreign money being invested in Turkish
real estate at this juncture, more and more foreign investors are
taking a close look at what real estate investment opportunities are
now available in Turkey.
With that said and understood, many industry analysts maintain that
now is the perfect time for a foreign national to take steps towards
investing in real estate in Turkey. With Turkey's admission into the
European Union, Turkey will be able to reap many economic benefits
that are attendant to being a part of the EU. This likely will
translate positively for men and women who have invested in real
estate in that country.
Residential Real Estate in Turkey - Single Family Properties
With the relaxation of Turkish laws governing the foreign ownership of
real estate, some foreign nationals are now taking a look at the
prospect of buying residential property in that country. While the
movement of foreign nationals towards buying residential property in
that country has not been overwhelming at this juncture, there is an
ever increasing number of foreign nationals who are buying residential
real estate in Turkey with each passing month.
Most of the residential real estate that is being purchased in Turkey
by foreign nationals is located in more of the resort communities in
that nation.
Residential Real Estate in Turkey - Apartments
When it comes to the purchase of residential property in Turkey,
apartments are serving as solid investments that people from other
nations are beginning to purchase to gain a foothold in the Turkish
residential property market. There are a wide array of different types
of apartments available to sale in Turkey at this point in time. For
example, there are very high end properties that are luxurious. At the
other end of the spectrum, there are more moderately priced units that
are suitable for men and women who find themselves finding a part of
the year in Turkey in business and desire a second residence for their
time in country.
Holiday Property in Turkey
The newest movement that has occurred as a result of the
liberalization of real estate ownership laws in Turkey is the advent
of foreign nationals making the purchase of residential properties to
be used for vacation purposes. (More information about the
liberalization of the laws governing the foreign ownership of real
estate is discussed shortly.)
With Turkey's entry into the EU, a growing number of Europeans are
examining the country as a location for holiday travel. Historically,
Turkey was not particularly a destination of choice when it came to
holiday travel by Europeans. Generally, the same was true for tourists
from many other locales around the world.
However, in recent years, more and more foreign nationals have marked
Turkey as a definite tourist destination. In addition, Turkish
governmental officials as well as business and civic leaders have
taken strong steps towards promoting Turkey as a travel and holiday
destination.
Because of this movement, a notable number of men and women are now
purchasing vacation residences in the form of apartments, villas and
other types of houses in Turkey. For the first time, some foreign
nationals are purchasing residential property in Turkey that they are
using for their own travel needs. In turn, these same people are then
turning around and letting these residences to other people during
those times of the year that these foreign owners are not using these
properties for their holiday purposes. In short, many foreign
investors are now taking the initiative to turn their own vacation
properties in Turkey into profit generating enterprises.
Specific steps to buying real estate property in Turkey back to top
Historically, it was very difficult for a foreign national to purchase
and own real estate in Turkey. Indeed, overall it was nearly
impossible for a foreign national to directly own a freehold (or
complete and transferable) interest in real estate in Turkey. The laws
restricting foreign ownership of real estate in Turkey had been
longstanding.
In 2003, the Turkish government significantly liberalized the laws
governing the ownership of real estate by foreign nationals in that
country. Specifically, the Turkish government enacted what is known as
a reciprocity law when it comes to the ownership of real estate by
foreign nationals in that country.
The new law in Turkey governing the foreign ownership of real estate
essentially provides that if a Turkish citizen can purchase and invest
in real estate in the country from which the foreign national comes
from, that same foreign national can then, in turn, purchase and own
real estate within Turkey. Thus, citizens from many countries -- from
the United States to the United Kingdom and many other nations in
between -- can now purchase and own real estate in Turkey.
The Turkish government moved to change its extremely restrictive real
estate laws in order to bring it more in line with the statutes and
regulations governing real estate ownership that are in place in the
other nations that make up the European Union.
Even with the easing of restrictions pertaining to the ownership of
real estate by foreign nationals in Turkey, there are areas within
Turkey in which foreign nationals are prohibited from purchasing and
owning real estate all together. For example, foreign nationals cannot
make the purchase of or otherwise own real estate that is in the
vicinity of military bases and other similar sensitive locations. It
is important for a foreign national to pay close attention to these
prohibitions so that he or she does not become involved in a real
estate sales transaction that might need to be scuttled in the long
run due to the location of the subject property itself.
When it comes to purchasing property in Turkey, it is vital that a
very thorough title search be undertaken to make absolutely certain
that the property is free and clear from an absolute and complete
transfer to a purchaser. Turkish property is notorious for being
encumbered by liens and other blemishes to titles. Therefore, it
absolutely is imperative that a foreign national who is seeking to
purchase and own real estate in Turkey obtain the services of a
capable lawyer or solicitor who can work to ensure that the property
is not encumbered.
The first step in the real estate purchase process for a foreign
national (or anyone else in Turkey) is an oral offer on a piece of
real estate. If the offer is accepted by the seller, a preliminary
contract is drafted and executed between the buyer and seller. At this
juncture, the buyer is obliged to place a deposit on the property.
Generally, the deposit amount that is placed is between 4% and 10%.
The deposit is non-refundable if the seller backs out of the deal
without cause. (Cause for withdrawal includes a failure by the seller
to provide clear title to the property or the seller abandoning the
deal.)
The final contract for sale of real estate in Turkey actually is
executed at the Land Registry Office. A new title or deed is then
applied for directly at the Land Registry Office. The new title and
deed usually will be issued to the purchaser of the real estate within
about three months.
One final factor that a real estate purchaser needs to keep in mind
when buying property in Turkey. Unlike virtually anywhere else in the
world, earthquake insurance is compulsory in nearly all locations of
the country. Therefore, a purchaser of real estate in that country
will want to make sure that this expense is factored into the overall
costs of buying real estate in Turkey. Generally, the costs of such
insurance is not prohibitive when it comes to buying real estate in
Turkey.
Property Abroad always recommends using a Solicitor or
Lawyer
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