The process of buying and selling real estate has become easy and convenient, especially with the abundance of real estate ads published on various social media platforms and websites, which are displayed by the property owner, the owning companies, or real estate agencies. This has led, in recent years, to the spread of specialized websites facilitating real estate sales and rentals, which have, in turn, made this process smoother. Individuals and investors can now choose the right property for them even while they are outside the country where they wish to purchase properties. If you are residing outside Turkey and looking to buy commercial or residential property in Turkey, we offer you this article that includes the most important tips for buying property in Turkey to assist you in making the best decision and avoiding any losses.

Some tips to follow when buying property in Turkey

Study the real estate market situation and the right time to invest

Initially, you must consider that the real estate market in Turkey is rich with diverse options. Avoid proceeding with completing the purchase directly; we also advise you to conduct further research and comparisons between properties to choose the most suitable one. Our first advice is to study the real estate market; you need to keep up with current price trends and mortgage rates, among others. Those wishing to buy a property should study the current economic conditions and plan well for the future, which enables them to predict when the real estate markets might rise, granting them greater opportunities for investment.

Research the right place - Adwhit site:

You might wonder where to start and where to do all this. The answer is the Adwhit site, which provides a package of unique services that cannot be found elsewhere, helping to know the first steps in buying property in Turkey.

Thoroughly study the geographical location:

The property's location is one of the most crucial factors to consider when thinking of buying property in Turkey. Fortunately, you can easily examine the property's location through electronic map websites. All you need to do is enter the location or name of the property in the map search engine, examine the location, and find out about nearby tourist attractions and service and entertainment facilities, such as restaurants, cafes, entertainment, and shopping centers. You should also check the property's location and its proximity to public transportation, such as the metro and the educational institutions nearby, as all these factors contribute to determining whether this property is suitable for you or not. If you're buying a property for investment purposes, you should consider the following:

The growth potential in the area is significant.
Invest in areas you know.
Choose a location ensuring a high return on investment.
Choose an area where the vacancy rates for properties are low.

The map guide on the Adwhit site helps you get to know the area you wish to buy a property in closely, and all you have to do is find everything you want to know about the selected area.

Choose the right property and view videos and photos

You should choose the right location and examine it when considering purchasing property in Turkey. You should think about several matters before making the decision to purchase property in Turkey. Initially, you need to choose the right location, as we previously mentioned. After this, get to know the property by asking all the questions running through your mind to the real estate agent, such as whether it is possible to buy property in Turkey in installments, or whether the property is still under construction. If it is not yet completed, avoid buying a property still on the plan or has not been built yet to avoid any mistakes. If you wish to buy a property on the plan, it is recommended that the project's completion percentage be at least 10%. Ensure also that the property complies with the building or tower license and check the property's original license.

Another tip for ensuring the property is suitable is considering the property's age. You should purchase a new property or one with a solid building foundation to ensure benefiting from the longest possible service life span. Another important aspect when buying property is checking the state of service facilities, such as plumbing, electricity, and painting work, and ensuring that the finishes are of high quality. Therefore, make sure to check the property's finishing type before final acceptance.

You might not be able to visit it in person; thus, real estate companies provide all property specifications in detail, often through photos or videos of the residential property. A video tour is one of the most important things you can benefit from, as it showcases the property significantly and clarifies details that might not be visible in photos. If no video is available, you can request the filming of a new video or even conduct a video call. When talking to the real estate agent, we advise mentioning all the details and asking all the questions you have in mind about the property that you desire answers to before purchasing.

Contacting the property owner

In our list of tips on how to buy property in Turkey, contact the property owner directly or the advertising companies and real estate agencies to verify the property's location, the price, and payment plans, and whether you can buy a house in installments. Ensure the credibility of the advertiser, the permission number, and the property ownership certificate. Also, make sure that there are no issues with the building permits regarding their issuance from the competent authorities when communicating with the property owner.

Scheduling a property viewing

Visit the property after ensuring it meets all your conditions and expectations. After reviewing all home purchase options in Turkey and choosing the right location and property, agree with the real estate agent to inspect the property, as visiting the geographic location of the property is essential to determine whether you want to buy the property or look for another. If you are sure of your choice, you must proceed with the property registration procedures, verify the property's ownership, developer, and owner, confirm the property area, if the area matches what's on the official papers, and many other procedures. If you are completely convinced to buy the property, request a copy of the purchase contract to study and make sure of its clauses in detail before signing. Additionally, verify the seller's information, and ownership of the property, and study the ownership documents; that is, the land purchase contract, building permits, and other important documents.

Advantages of buying property in Turkey:

There are many advantages to buying property in Turkey through the Adwhit site, the most notable of which are:

Ease of browsing the real estate section in Turkey
Variety of available housing options
Easy comparison between properties in different areas
Security in research due to the abundance of verified properties
Ease of investment
Possibility of obtaining family residence under defined conditions
Development of the real estate market, as Turkey's real estate market is the most developed from several aspects
Time and effort savings through browsing the largest site for property listings in Turkey
- Easy access to detailed information on properties offered for sale
Security and trust with real estate agents due to stringent real estate laws
A vibrant and ever-growing economy with high competitiveness achieving high-profit returns
Abundant supply and demand

Tips to avoid real estate fraud

Here is a set of tips to avoid real estate fraud:

Verify the identity of the seller or real estate agent, request official documents, and communicate with the relevant government authorities.
Research the real estate registration and legal real estate agent records.
Resort to a lawyer specializing in sale and purchase contracts.
Avoid overly tempting offers.
Verify that the real estate company is registered and licensed with the relevant authorities.
Visit the property in person or virtually if possible.
Deal exclusively with official contracts and avoid undocumented papers.
Verify building and development permits from the relevant authorities.
Communicate with neighbors or the local community if possible to know the property's or seller's reputation.
Use recognized secure payment methods.

What factors should be considered before buying property in Turkey?

Before buying property in Turkey, consider several factors, including location, budget, and size, in addition to the availability of service and entertainment facilities and financing options.

Garden and basement areas

For those buying a ground floor or basement home, the square footage of the home you buy may not match the square footage stated on the title deed. For example, you might believe you bought an 85 square meter home. However, there should be a shelter or storage areas under the home. A shelter, garage, or storage areas get added to the home, but the space of your home on the title deed may only be 40 square meters. Problems might arise when selling the home or securing a loan.

Pay attention to apartment numbers!

The apartment you purchased may not be owned by you on the title deed; instead, your neighbor's apartment on the street might be associated with you. The building project and title deed should match. However, these numbers might not be valid in the real estate registry, a common situation in our country. For instance, you visited apartment number 12 and liked it. You assume you've bought apartment number 12 and pay accordingly. However, the apartment number 12 on the project may not be the apartment you purchased; it might be apartment number 13. To resolve the issue, a resale is conducted and the parties must agree.

Tax on sales within 3-5 years:

If you sell the home you purchased within 5 years, you are required to pay capital gains tax. These rates vary depending on the year and the increase in value. If the difference in the capital gains tax exceeds 200,000 Turkish Lira, the rate increases.

The home's value should not be less than the loan you took

The actual prices of homes might not be accurately reflected in the land registry. For example, you bought the home for 200,000 Turkish Lira, but the value of the home in the title deed appears as 100,000 Turkish Lira. You might conduct your purchase and sale transactions by paying a title deed fee based on the 100,000 Turkish Lira value. However, the Ministry of Finance often audits title deed purchases, and you may face penalties for this. This is particularly likely if you used a loan, as the amount you used will appear, and the likelihood of penalties increases.

Which is better: buying a new property or an old one?

Both options have certain advantages and disadvantages. For instance, new properties offer modern amenities and might require less maintenance, while older properties generally offer lower costs and an abundance of amenities around them.

Should I hire a real estate agent when buying a property?

While buying property directly from the owner has many advantages, a real estate agent can provide valuable guidance and assist you with procedures and negotiations.

How can I determine the property's value before purchasing?

You can conduct a comprehensive market research and compare the prices of similar properties in the area.