Estate agents Fethiye, Turkey - Villas - Apartments

  Where can I buy property? - Foreign national are permitted to buy in areas that have been classed as development areas by the Turkish Government and are governed by municipalities (amended December 2005).   Due to current regulations it is not permitted for foreign nationals to purchase land or property in some of the villages, places of historical importance, protected areas or close to military establishments.

  Who Can Buy? - This is based on a reciprocal agreement being in place so that Turkish citizens are afforded the same opportunity in other countries. Those foreign nationals whose country does not have a reciprocal agreement with Turkey are not permitted to buy land or property under the current regulations.

   Do I receive Title Deeds? - In order to obtain the Freehold Title Deeds for any property an application needs to be submitted to the local Land Registry Office. In Turkey it is necessary for both the vendor and the purchaser to be present for the entry into the property register, unless the purchaser has already completed the necessary paperwork giving Power of Attorney, which is known as 'VEKALET' to a lawyer or to an individual they can trust so all documents can be signed on behalf of the purchaser in their absence.

   What Property Tax do I pay on purchase? - As with most European countries there is a property purchase tax and Turkey is no exception. At the time of deed transfer the buyer will be asked to pay a 3% property purchase tax which is worked out according to the amount declared on the title deed (TAPU), which is recorded with the Land Registry Office. The lawyer will obtain both personal tax numbers and a house tax number so that taxes may be paid in the future.
   What annual property taxes do I pay? - As a general guideline you can expect to pay an annual property tax of approximately 0.3% of the amount declared on the title deed to the local government (municipality). The tax is subject to revaluation every year. This s is very minimal in comparison to many other countries. Payment of taxes are the house owners responsibility. Non-payment of taxes will result in a fine.
   In addition there is also a community tax which is generally paid twice yearly - this is to pay for local services such as the collection of rubbish and the upkeep of public areas. Again payment of this tax is the responsibility of the house owner.

   What if I want to sell or rent out my property? - Properties may be resold or rented out and the proceeds transferred out of Turkey in accordance with any currency regulation that may apply at the time.

Do I need insurance? - There are numerous insurance companies offering comprehensive annual cover. We advise clients to insure their properties and can recommend good companies for buildings, contents and medical insurance. Earthquake insurance known as DASK is mandatory in Turkey.

   Sunmed Homes Purchase Procedure – It is possible to purchase a property through the Land Registry Office without using the services of a lawyer however Sunmed Homes will only sell a property to a client in conjunction with a reputable English-speaking lawyer who will check the title deed and represent their interests independently throughout the entire buying procedure.

A purchase contract is drawn up in English between the seller and the purchaser outlining the agreed terms and conditions of the purchase. This is checked thoroughly by both parties before signing and witnessed by the lawyer. Once the contract is signed it becomes legally binding according to Turkish law.

Clients are taken to the Notary where a copy of their passport details are translated. Power of Attorney known as VEKALET is drawn up authorizing the lawyer to purchase the property in their names, on their behalf and to sign all documentation relating to the purchase, in their absence. Clients are given a verbal translation of what is drawn up in the Power of Attorney by a qualified Notary translator. All Notary costs are paid for by the purchaser.

Since the government want to know where foreign national are buying they request that 2 maps (1/25,000 and 1/5000) be submitted with their application by the lawyer. The cost of these maps can vary depending on which municipality the property falls under. They are however a requirement according to Turkish Law.

A background check is carried out by the authorities on all foreign nationals buying property in Turkey before the title deed is issued by the Land Registry Office. Clearance often takes around 3 months and is only a formality. In 99.9% of cases everyone gets their clearance back. The transfer of ownership and the issuing of the new title deed cannot be completed until clearance has been received.

Residency: For those clients wishing to apply for residency in Turkey, help and advice is available and there is a small charge for this service.

Selling your Property? If you have a property to sell and want your villa or apartment to be included in our website please phone or send an email to arrange an appointment. We work on a NO SALE NO FEE basis.

Further information - If you have any further questions regarding purchasing property, making arrangements for viewing or living in Turkey we will be more than happy to answer any questions of queries you may have, just fill in the online enquiry form on the 'Contact Us' page. All emails are replied to promptly.