Frequent Questions and Answers

Is it safe to buy property in Turkey?

Yes. There are many foreign home owners in Turkey, some of whom live here all year round, while others just use their homes for holidays.

At the turn of the century, when Turkey passed laws allowing foreigners to buy Real Estate in Turkey, the outdated system was a hindrance but these days, smooth-lined procedures and clear guidance, as well as advice, ensure foreigners are entirely in the driving seat.

Which nationalities can buy property in Turkey?

Up until 2012, many foreigners were restricted from buying property in Turkey because of reciprocal agreements. During 2012, The Turkish Tapu (Title Deed) law was amended, allowing more nationalities (including Russia and the UAE) the option to buy, as well as many other countries inside the EU.  This allows foreign nationals from at least 183 foreign countries the option to own their own home in Turkey.  

If you are not sure that your country can purchase in Turkey please contact us direct for further details. 

Need to Know Turkish Property Law for Foreigners

The first aspect is to know what you can and cannot legally buy. According to the Turkish land registry law 2644, namely articles 35 and 36, a foreigner can purchase residential properties, commercial premises and land.

Restrictions that are in place include…

- No more than 30 hectares countrywide

- No more than 10% of the total area of a defined district.

- The property or land must not be within a military zone

Do I Have to Use a Lawyer?

No legal laws say you must use a lawyer, but we strongly advise you to acquire a lawyer who is thoroughly aware of the Turkish property law.  Or, we at Oludeniz Homes can provide you with our independent Turkish lawyer who acts swiftly and professionally on your behalf.  Contracts are drawn between buyer and seller making sure both parties adhere to Turkish Property Law.  The cost of our own independent Estate Agent Lawyer is included in our costs.

Using Translators

As a foreigner, sales contracts need to be translated into your home country’s language, and when signing for title deeds at the land registry office, you are also legally obligated to use the services of a translator. This person must be officially accredited and licensed. Both the land registry and notary offices have lists of translators that they legally work with.

Do I Need Residency in Turkey?

No, it is not compulsory that you have  Residency in Turkey .  However this is a simple and low cost option to obtain if you wish to visit Turkey throughout the year. 

Applying for Military Clearance

Most foreigners get alarmed when they find out they need military clearance, but it is nothing to be worried about. The check is done on the property and not the person, and your lawyer will carry out the process for you. In previous years, waiting for the clearance often took four to six months. The system has changed now though, and approval usually comes through within two to three days.

Can I Get Turkish Citizenship by Buying Property?

To get Turkish citizenship by buying real estate, the value of your new home should be at least 1 million USD, and you must keep it for three years.

Can I Rent Out my Property?

You can rent out your home, but two laws must be adhered to. If you plan to rent out short term, i.e. market it for holiday rentals, you must sign up to the GIYKIMBIL system. This involves registering the details of each person that stays in your home. The second is to pay income tax on rental returns  and the local tax office in each district advises on how to declare your income.

If I Buy Property in Turkey, Can I Work?

Being a homeowner in Turkey doesn’t automatically entitle you to work legally. This is a separate process that needs a permit.

İf you have more questions or you would like to speak face-to-face , please do not hesitate to contact us

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Why is the time to buy now?

Turkey’s tourist numbers have long been a bellwether for its property.The decline in visitors over the last two years meant a corresponding drop in the volume of property sales to foreign buyers across the country.

However, last year saw a tourism rebound for the country, and pundits predict this year’s figures will mark a return to form for not only visitor numbers, but property sales. Before sales pick up again, potential buyers have a chance to take advantage of discounted property that’s already on the market.

Turkey unique market conditions have created a buyer’s market that will not prevail for long.

So the question is: "How can you best take advantage of a buyer's market?" Well the first step as always is to get the financials in line and sorted out. There is nothing worse than finding that ideal home and then having to scramble for financing only to lose it at the last minute to a buyer with financing already in place.

With the money question answered you can move on to searching for that perfect home. One thing you may notice about a buyer's market is that homes may tend to be listed for a longer period of time. This can work in your favor as sellers become more and more anxious the longer a home is on the market. This is not to say that you can simply low ball them and scoop a home but you may find that they are more open to negotiation then they would be if the buyer's market was not a factor.

In a buyer's market you will be in a naturally advantageous position and it can be easy to lose sight of the final goal. The main idea here is to find a great home that will suit you and your family for years to come or to form a piece of a well planned investment portfolio. The idea is not to find the cheapest home or the most desperate sellers. Try to think about things in terms of what will fulfill the dynamic and changing needs of your life now and in the future. A well planned home purchase can be the most gratifying purchase that a person ever makes. It's all the sweeter if they just happened to get a great deal!

Why living close to the sea is good for your health

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Did you know that long ago, physicians recommended going to the beach for medical reasons? When consumption or tuberculosis was claiming lives by the thousands back in the 1900s, some doctors had a rather unconventional approach to treat it. So patients were sent to the seaside by the droves to breathe the salty sea air. It was believed to have curative powers, which could heal the respiratory organs and reduce the intensity of the disease. But the health benefits of the sea were known to man even before that. ‘Thalassotherapy’ or sea therapy was prescribed by Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, himself.

Here are some health reasons  why living near the sea is good for your health

Great for curing skin diseases

Going for a quick swim in the salty seawater can be great if you suffer from skin conditions like psoriasis. Sea water is a repository of minerals such as chloride, sodium, iodine, magnesium, sulphur and potassium, many of which have curative effects on the skin. Studies have shown that a combination of seawater and UVB radiation seems to have an ameliorative effect on skin problems such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.Old wives tales also prescribe sulphur and iodine rich sea water for its antiseptic properties, which can heal skin lesions.

 Reduces respiratory inflammation

The sea air contains mist of saline water, which seems to have a soothing effect on the mucosal lining of the respiratory system. So, people suffering from inflammatory respiratory conditions like sinusitis  can benefit from breathing the balmy sea air. Even aspiration of sea spray while swimming can be beneficial for the lungs.

Promotes good sleep and good mood

Have you wondered why you feel relaxed when you visit the beach? The sea air is laden with negative ions which can have mood-enhancing properties. A research concluded that negative air ionisation associated with the sea breeze resulted in lower depression scores.The negative ions also help by improving our oxygen intake and balancing levels of the feel good hormone serotonin. But if you are a thalassophile, the sight of the sea alone is good enough to cheer you up!

 Higher levels of vitamin D

Did you know that vitamin D deficiency can cause horrible health problems like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases,anaemia, brain damage, depression, infertility, and cancer? People living in dull and gloomy climes generally face more vitamin D deficiency than those who live close to the coast, according to a study conducted on 7,000 participants. A house by the seaside means you have more of the sunshine vitamin that can ward off some of the most dangerous modern-day diseases.

Good for your mind

Many people swear by the soothing sounds for nature to alleviate problems like sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression. It is proven that nature sounds, particularly that of birds, sea, forests, and rain, help in recovery from a psychologically stressful event. Visual impressions of nature combined with its soothing sounds help you heal your mind faster than you can say “beach”! So if it is mental peace you want, a stay by the beachside, listening to the sound of waves crashing on the shores can help.

Protects against cardiovascular problems

Deep sea water, or the water obtained from a depth of 200 meters into the sea. This mineral-rich water is known to have a lot of therapeutic benefits, especially for the heart. It helps the heart by decreasing the TC, TG, atherogenic index, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, while increasing the serum trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity.  It also reduces the formation of plaque formation in the inner lining of the arteries.

Keeps you healthier than others

A good exercise regimen is important for overall health. But did you know that you can get more benefits out of your exercises if you were to do it close to the sea or any natural environment? Also, a study suggests that coastal proximity, or staying close to the sea, increased your chances of being fitter and healthier than the rest, thanks to the higher level of physical activity among coastal dwellers.

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45 FACTS ABOUT TURKEY

          

1. İstanbul is the largest city in Turkey but it is not the capital. Turkey’s capital is Ankara

2. You can eat the Turkish ice cream –Maraş with a knife and fork

3. Turkey is the 6th most popular tourist destination in the world

4. The first ever female combat pilot in the world is from Turkey. Her name is Sabiha Gökçen.

5. Turkey sits on two continents, Asia and Europe, although just 3% of its land is in Europe

6. Turkey has total area of 783,562km², or more then three times larger then U.K.

7. Patara plaji is the longest beach in Turkey ( 18 km long)

8. Cherries were introduced to the world from Turkey

9. Turkey has been producing wine for over 6000 years

10.The most valuable silk carpet in the world is in Melvana Museum in Konya-Turkey

11.Turkey was one of the first countries in the world to allow women to vote

12.Turkey introduced coffee to Europe

13.The second oldest underground railway in the world is the İstanbul Tünel

14.In Turkey you can eat a desert that is made of chicken ( Tavukgöğsü )

15.Santa Clause or St.Nicolas was born in Patara- Turkey

16.There are more then 10 UNESCO World heritage sites in Turkey

17.Turkey produce about 70% of the world’s haselnut supply

18.Turkish people are the world’s highest per capita tea drinkers. Turkey ranks in the top 5 tea producers in the world

19.The biggest and oldest Mall in the world is Grand Bazar (Kapalıçarşı) in İstanbul. İt has 64 streets, 4000 shops and attracts around 400,000 visitors every day

20.The church of St.Peter in Antakya (Antioch) is said to be the very first Christian church in the world

21.Two of the Seven Wonders of the World are in Turkey. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Bodrum

22.Turkey is home to Mount Ararat where is believed that Noah’s Ark came to rest

23.Tulips came to Europe from Turkey

24.The ancient city of Troy was located in modern day Turkey

25.The first man ever to fly was Turkish. Using two wings Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi flew over the Bosphorus and can be consider as the first intercontinental human flight in history.

26.The Turkish Delight (Lokum) is one of the oldest sweets in the world history

27.The olest known human city is Çatalhöyük in Turkey, which shows signs of settlement from the 7th century B.C

28.The stones found at Göbekli Tepe in Turkey in 1994 mark it as the world’s first temple and one of the most important archaeological sites ever discovered. Carbon dating shows the 45 stones may be as old as 13,000 years old—which makes it the oldest site by an amazing margin, considering Stonehenge was built around 2,000 to 3,000 years ago and the pyramids of Giza 2,500 years ago

29.The Turkish alphabet is phonetic, so words are pronounced in the same way they are read.

30.İstanbul is the only city in the world that is actually located on two continents

31.Money was ‘born’ in Turkey. The first coins ever made were created by the Lydians, in what is now Turkey.

32.There is over 7,200 km of coastline in Turkey

33.Turkey is the only Muslim country in the world to be both secular and democratic.

34.Göbekli Tepe at the top of a mountain ridge in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey is the world's oldest known example of monumental architecture dating some 11,600 years old. It also contains the oldest known temple.

35.Built 7 meters beneath the surface, Sancaklar Mosque is the world's first underground mosque. İt is constructed in Turkey's Buyukcekmece district in Istanbul.

36.Turkey's beaches rank 3rd in the world, with 383 beaches and 21 marinas awarded by Blue Flag, an international eco-label given to beaches with high water quality, cleanliness and environmental standards.

37. The longest Turkish word is Muvaffakiyetsizleştiricileştiriveremeyebileceklerimizdenmişsinizcesine which has 70 letters and translates ‘As though you happen to have been from among those whom we will not be able to easily/quickly make a maker of unsuccessful ones ‘

38.Cherries were introduced to Rome from the Anatolian region of what is now Turkey since 72 BC.

39.Kissing the Hand of the Elderly is a Traditional Gesture in Turkey

40.Yağlı Güreş (Oil Wrestling) is the National Sport of Turkey. Wrestlers (known as pehlivan) douse themselves with olive oil and wear a type of hand-stitched shorts called a kisbet.

41.Turkey uses a Latin-based alphabet and not an Arabic one.

42.İstanbul has been the capital of three great empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman for more than 2000 years.

43.Turkey is the birthplace of historic legends, such as Omar (the poet), King Midas, Herodotus (the father of history) and St. Paul the Apostle.

44.Julius Ceasar proclaimed his celebrated words, “Veni, Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered) in Turkey when he defeated the Pontus, a formidable kingdom in the Black Sea region of Turkey.

45.The official name of Turkey is Republic of Turkey