Natalie So, if you are asking what do I need to buy a house in Turkey, the good news is just a few things. The property buying process for foreigners is not long and drawn out like in other countries. Homebuyers do not need to form a company, nor need to endure a drawn-out land register application, and unlike places like Spain, the paperwork is relatively straightforward. In fact, the ease of buying attracts many foreigners to the country. Every year, foreigners from all over the globe buy on average 40,000 to 50,000 houses. So, let’s get you started on your way to purchasing a property in Turkey.
What You Need to Buy a House in Turkey
1: House Finances and Purchasing Costs
House buyers need to have an exact idea of how much they want to spend, so now is the time for a financial inventory. Do not forget to factor in extra purchasing costs and yearly maintenance and utility bills. If you need a mortgage, try to avoid Turkish banks. They offer mortgages to foreigners but with higher interest rates than many other countries. While sorting finances, choose an excellent foreign exchange company like Wise, which charges lower transfer fees and gives better exchange rates than banks.
2: Turkish Bank Account and Tax Number
If you choose us as your real estate agent, we assist you with obtaining both. The Turkish bank account is needed because for your property purchase; because you will leave a paper trail. Remember never to hand money over in cash—document all transactions by sending via bank accounts. The tax number is required to pay the purchasing taxes and future events, so keep it safe. When you decide where to buy property, we take you to both the banks and tax office to obtain these two.
3: Choose a Solicitor
Turkish law doesn’t require a solicitor to buy property, but we strongly recommend property buyers use one. Many lawyers in Turkey speak English. Additionally, you might be able to find a solicitor in your home country that is well versed in Turkish real estate law, for example, London Legal in London. Solicitors draw up the contracts between you and the seller. A translator will present at the time of notarization. Additionally, we do our due diligence on properties we advertise but your solicitor carries out their own separate checks like the legal paperwork and whether this is a debt on the property.
4: Buy DASK Insurance
Although large earthquakes rarely happen in Turkey, the government has a DASK scheme to cover household owners if their property is damaged. To sign for title deeds, property buyers need to take out annual DASK insurance, which is available from any insurance provider in Turkey.
5: Power of Attorney in Turkey
House buyers do not need a power of attorney in Turkey, but this is something to consider if you do not want to fly across to sign for the title deeds. If you choose to use a POA, we recommend selecting a qualified and legal solicitor. Please do not give POA to anyone and always read the small print. If this is something you wish to pursue, we can help you complete it.
6: Other Paperwork
In addition, to the above, property buyers need a passport and photocopies and four biometric passport photos. We collect the valuation document, title deeds, and complete the application and registration for you. Foreign house buyers signing for their deeds in person need a legal and qualified translator. This is something we arrange.
7: Start your Property Search in Turkey
To understand the property market in Turkey and see what money gets, browse our portfolio of apartments and villas for sale in many areas. Each property listing contains everything to know, including price, location, home features, and contact details to find out more via email or arrange a viewing. If you are uncertain about where you want to buy property, the following areas lead the way.
Istanbul: This is the area where international real estate investors head to. Simply because the outskirt European districts are a hotbed of investment into housing, infrastructure, and mega projects. Most people buy into large lifestyle residences, consisting of communal facilities like swimming pools and gyms. These developments also offer long term interest-free payment plans.
Antalya Region: Sitting on the Mediterranean coast, many holiday home buyers head to the Antalya region, a beachside destination. It has the best beaches in Turkey. Belek in Antalya also happens to be Turkey’s golfing capital offering a bit of prestigious status. Prominent districts to buy in include Alanya, Side, Kemer, Belek and the town centre, while on the outskirts, Kalkan is known for large luxury villas with private pools.
Bodrum Peninsula: Over on the Aegean coast, Bodrum is a hangout destination for celebrities and Saudi royalty, yet property buyers can find affordable housing that fits into the mainstream market. Yalikavak leads the peninsula for luxury villas, while Gumusluk is a more traditional village with an incredibly laidback lifestyle pace. However, the town centre is an all-rounder and the hub of the peninsula so expect to pay a bit more.
Fethiye Region: Also on the Mediterranean coast, the Fethiye region breaks down into Calis Beach, Hisaronu, Ovacik and the main town centre. Some house buyers want to buy property in Oludeniz, but high demand and short supply due to building regulations mean they look elsewhere. Uzumlu is a mountain destination where people buy large villas. Its inland location means property prices are lower than on the coastline.
About Us
We are Spot Blue international property experts. We hope we answered your question about what do I need to buy property in Turkey. If you still have further questions or would like to chat with a local agent, call us today. Additionally, we have taken all our teams’ local knowledge and years of experience to form our blog, which will interest anyone buying property in Turkey.
