Real Estate Agencies

Most of the larger agencies (the ones advertised in the English language newspaper Turkish Daily News) are professional and have experience dealing with foreigners and their often-unique set of needs. If your budget is modest however, you would be better off scouting out the neighborhood that you want to live in and approaching the smaller real estate agencies (Emlakçı) in that area (they are plentiful).

It is common practice to pay a commission to the agent; however this fee is negotiable in most instances. Foreign tenants mean Dollars or Euro (and lots of it) to almost every homeowner in Turkey. If your rent will be in a foreign currency, bargain hard - if you don't have the negotiation skills, find someone does. It will be well worth the effort and can safe you bundle.

The following points are fair game to negotiate about:

*Price of monthly rent;

*Number of months of advance payment required;

*Currency that the rent will be paid in;

*Method of paying;

*Amount of deposit required and whether it is in Turkish Lira or foreign currency;

*Condition of the home - request new carpet if it is soiled, or fresh paint;

*Landscaping - landlord can pay for grass to be planted, if it is new home for example;

*Appliances - included or not; light fixtures - included or not;

*Cleaning - insist landlord cover cost of having your place cleaned before you move in;

*Any repairs such as water damage or cracks in walls - landlord should cover all these costs.

*A final word of advice, or caution: get it all in writing, including all the landlords' promises to repair, clean and fix things in advance of your move!!!!!

Particularly if you are paying big bucks in a foreign currency, it is imperative to have a lawyer look at your contract before you sign it. Take the time, make the effort and you will be in a much better position should any misunderstanding arise.

The agent generally participates in concluding the lease contract as well. Be sure to insist upon a termination clause, which should legally protect you should you need to cut your lease short in the event you are assigned to another city/country or having to leave the country due to health problems.

Most foreign citizens are permitted to purchase land and property in Turkey in their own names - you are still advised however to check with your Consulate. To obtain a registration for title deeds, he/she must prove to the Land Registry of Turkey the transfer of the full purchase price into Turkey. Properties within military zones or outside the boundaries of the municipalities cannot be purchased by foreigners. In any subsequent sale of the property the proceeds can be transferred out of Turkey. The property may be rented out to others.

There is an annual property tax for private buildings. All properties are subject to re-evaluation every four (4) years for taxation purposes.

Different regulations apply when property is purchased for business and investment purposes that are connected to tourism.

Please also check Home Sweet Home subtitle of Getting Settled section for some other information on settling a house or an apartment. Also a list of Real Estate Agencies is given in our Yellow Pages.

Latest comments about this article

 By s_tatar  2.11.2006

deffinitly before sign conract you have to solicitor and u have to sign conract with solicitor buyer and seller. www.turkishluxuryhomes.com

 By Aegean2  21.4.2006

A new law (retrospective to 26th July 2005) was enacted on January 7th 2006, which again allows overseas buyers to acquire up to 25,000m² of real estate, subject to the ´reciprocity principle´, military vetting and certain other condititions.

 By DAOsborne  8.8.2005

On 28 July 2005 the Constitutional Court annulled the July 2003 Law following objections by the CHP (Republican) main opposition party. A new law is awaited but until then foreigners cannot buy real estate in Turkey. Sadly this is another example of Turkish political sparring damaging foreign and Turkish interests alike.

 By Carren Akkaya  27.3.2004

The law concerning foreigners buying outside municipalities has now changed.Foreigners are now allowed to buy outside the municipalities if Turks are allowed to purchase property in the foreigners country.The law changed in 2003

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