Buying an apartment anywhere in the UK comes with so many considerations and potential pitfalls. So for those looking to find apartments in Turkey, those worries can be multiplied. If you’re in the UK, you will at least have an idea of what to expect. But Turkey? It can seem like a whole other world. But don’t worry, we’re here to present you with a short guide covering all you need to know before you buy property for sale in Turkey.
First of all, the process of buying apartments for sale in Turkey is obviously very different from the processes you find in Britain; but there are also some similarities. Firstly, you do not need to be a resident of Turkey to buy property; and, in turn, buying property in Turkey does not make you a Turkish resident. However, in order to buy any Turkish property, you must receive a Foreigner Identity Number (known locally as ‘Yabanci Kimlik Numarasi’ or YKN) from the Foreigners Department of the Turkish National Police (TNP). One thing that those who already have a home in the UK will be aware of is stamp duty. When a second property is bought, we need to contribute towards stamp duty plus an additional 3%. But for those looking to buy a holiday home or apartment in Turkey, there is no additional fee to go along with stamp duty. It’s also worth noting that UK residents looking to buy Turkish property must receive military permission. This is an unavoidable process, but it does only take 3 weeks. These are just some of the things to be aware of before buying Turkish property but, overall, restrictions when it comes to property are far looser than they are in the UK.
One key piece of advice is to visit Turkey before you buy. This is applicable to any country that interests you as being your second home. When it comes to finding the perfect apartments in Turkey for sale, it’s more important to find a good estate agent rather than to go looking at individual properties via online meta property portals. A good estate agent will understand the country and will be able to speak to you and understand what you want when looking for holiday homes in Turkey. They will also have good connections with local property agents in particular towns and may be able to save you thousands. After you have found that dream property, it’s time to put down a holding deposit. This is usually in the region of about £1,000 to £2,000 and varies depending on the area. To pay this deposit and buy a property in Turkey, you will also need a local bank account. To set this up, you just need your passport, some passport photos for ID and your YKN. Again, a good estate agent with local links will be able to walk you through the whole buying process.
So whether you are looking for apartments in Turkey or you are more interested in looking at villas for sale, it’s clear that having a trustworthy, reliable estate agent with great links and contacts is so important.