If you are planning to buy an apartment in Turkey, in this article you will find step-by-step instructions on doing it. These guidelines are relevant both for new and second-hand properties.
Turkish apartments generate a stable demand among foreign investors. They are affordable, the construction quality is usually very good and the process of purchase is safe and transparent. It should be rather easy for you to monitor the market and find out which type of apartment you can afford with your budget. But newbies often have questions about the procedure of signing the deal. In this article, you will find a step-by-step instruction on buying a new or second-hand apartment in Turkey.
Step 1. Decide on the Geographical Location
For those who are planning to rent their apartments out to tourists, Antalya, Alanya and Bodrum will be the most obvious choices. For long-term rentals, consider an Istanbul property for sale. Also, you might prefer Istanbul if you want to buy the apartment at an early construction stage and resell it later at a profit. In this case, opt for an area that is undergoing urban transformation. Plus, you can check the plan of metro development for the next few years. If the apartment that you buy is located close to a metro station that will open soon, its price will be likely to rise considerably.
Those investors whose budget is limited and who would like to use the apartment themselves might consider less popular areas. The infrastructure there is less developed — but the climate is warm and sunny, the prices for most goods and services are very affordable and the general atmosphere is highly welcoming. That could be, for instance, Dalyan, Didim, Bursa, Yalova, Trabzon and so on.
Step 2. Get in Touch with the Real Estate Agency
Most real estate deals in the country are processed with the help of agencies. Being a foreigner, you will need an agency not only to find you an excellent property but also to consult and accompany you throughout the deal.
Step 3. Open an Account in a Turkish Bank
First, you should go to the Tax Office and get a tax number or a potential tax number. Then, you proceed to the bank and open an account. The procedure is genuinely simple and takes minimum time. Turkish banks allow their clients to transfer funds to and from foreign banks rather effortlessly. This is their meaningful competitive edge over banking institutions in most Middle Eastern countries. When the sum on your account is enough to buy the property you chose, you can switch to the next step.
Step 4. Prepare the Documents
Make a copy of your passport and notarize it. Take biometric photographs. If you purchase the apartment without the help of a real estate agency, hire a certified translator to accompany you at the land registry office. Those who rely on the services of an agency do not need to look for a translator.
Step 5. Visit the Land Registry Office
You will need to go to the land registry office together with the owner of the apartment that you buy to issue the title deed. Plus, the employees of the office will check whether there is a mortgage on the real estate that you are planning to purchase. If there is no mortgage, you can go on with the deal. If there is a mortgage, the landlord needs to accomplish releasing procedures.
Step 6. Pay Your Fees
For issuing the title deed, you will need to pay a 1.5% fee. Its total sum is 3% of the real estate price — but the buyer and the seller share this payment.
Similarly, both sides pay the agent’s commission in equal shares. The average commission that the agents take on the Turkish market is 3-4%.
Finally, be ready to pay the floating capital fee. Its average price falls within the range from 300 to 1500 Turkish liras.
The total amount of fees that you should pay in Turkey is much lower than what you would need to pay in Europe. When purchasing an apartment of the same size and characteristics in Italy or France, you might need to pay 10-20% of its price in fees.
Step 7. Get to Know About the Taxes
You will need to pay the tax for the property if you owe it on January 1 of the current year. This tax equals 0.1%-0.3% of the notional value of the property per year. It is higher in metropolitan cities and lower in remote rural areas. You can pay it either online or in cash in the council office. Depending on the municipality, property owners pay this tax either once or twice per year. The deadline for the payment also differs from one municipality to another.
The above-mentioned notional value is different from the declared value. The latter is the same as the purchase price. The former is typically lower and it is calculated by the local council.
If the former owner failed to pay the tax, it stays with the property — which means you will need to pay it. To protect yourself from liability for other people’s debts, you can include a corresponding clause in the sales contract.
If you are planning to relocate to Turkey for good and you buy an apartment that is smaller than 200 square meters, you might be exempt from the property tax — but only if it is your only property. Besides, there are exemptions for pensioners, widows and disabled people.
Those who buy a villa in Turkey pay around $1000 per year in taxes. This is equal to the tax that you would need to pay for an apartment in a European metropolitan city.
Conclusion
This was the general outline of the process of purchasing an apartment in Turkey. Your real estate agent will answer your further questions and accompany you at all the stages of the buying process. The prices for properties in Turkey are growing every year, so the earlier you get one, the more you gain. The choice of apartments in the country is stunning and it will not take you long to find what you want.