Less than a few years ago, Turkish property was a rarity at the property exhibitions in the UK. Now, however, those exhibitions are filled with heavenly pictures of Turkey and Turkish estates as more and more British people buy their second homes in Turkey. So what is it that attracts foreigners to this country? These are the ten main reason:

1. Value for money - property prices are significantly less than most other popular locations across Europe and the open currency market allows free transfer of funds in and out of the country.
2. Travel time- four hours from the UK with direct flights almost all year round.
3. People - the friendliest and most helpful and hospitable people with English widely spoken in most places.
4. Climate - hot dry summers and mild winters make the climate of Turkey one of the healthiest in Europe.
5. Emerging market - one of the fastest growing economies in the world with properties offering good investment potential and high rental yields.
6. EU entry - Turkey is moving towards full membership to the EU and this will bring great benefits to the country with property prices set to rise substantially.
7. Historical sights and natural beauty - you are never more than a stone’s throw away from an important historical sight or a beauty spot in Turkey.
8. Capital growth - the value of properties has been increasing by 30 per cent over the past year.
9. Cost of Living - one of the lowest in Europe - making your money go further. Eating out is extremely affordable, too.The average cost of a three-course meal including drinks is £ 7.00. And the quality and the quantity of the food is to be seen to be believed.
10. Security -low crime figures make Turkey one of the safest places to invest in.

Things to check before you buy

Before parting with your money, you need to exercise some common sense and caution, as you would do anywhere else in the world. If you follow our simple guidelines, you can make your Turkish dream a reality and exchange your heating bills for days in the warm sunshine.

1. Check your budget
   How much is the money you have set aside for your dream home? Have you allowed for any additional costs? These include:

• Sales Tax The vendor and the purchaser pay 1.5 per cent each. In addition, about £40 will be required for stamp duty and various contributions.
• Other Taxes and Charges On completion, you become the owner of the property. Almost all property in Turkey is freehold.You will be required to pay an annual property tax of 0.1 per cent either in one installment in May or in two installments in May and November. If the property is going to be used as business premises, the property tax is 0.2 per cent. Council Tax is currently at about £60 per annum in Turkey. In some cases there may be a charge of £100 each to connect electricity and water meters. An average sized villa could expect to use per annum: Electricity and water: £450.00 Gas(bottled) for cooking / hot water: £200.00 Pool chemicals: £200.00 Communal charges, if applicable, would vary according to the size and value of the property you purchase. A guideline figure for a two to three bedroom apartment would be between £200 and £400 per annum.
• Legal Fees This will depend on your agreement with the lawyer.
• Power of Attorney You would be advised to authorise a lawyer to complete your purchase. It is not advisable for the power of attorney to be given to estate agents or other intermediaries. You will need to allow £200 for a notarised, translated, and a certified power of attorney. The TBCCI can help you with the procedures.

2. Select a property
   Is it a villa or a flat that would suit your needs most? Do you want to buy off-plan or renovate a charming old house? Do you want to be by the sea, up in the green mountains, or by a golf course? What are the local amenities? The TBCCI have members who are experts in property.
3. Select an agent
   You can buy direct from the developers or employ the services of an estate agent. However, the purchase should be made at the Registry from the actual owner of the title deeds. The purchase can also be made with a Property Sales Contract at a Notary Public. Any other purchase will not be considered valid.
4. Select a lawyer
   It is very important to appoint a legal person to conduct research and report on the property. There may be cases of mortgaged properties, which will present problems. All foreigners need to get permission from the relative Turkish State Departments to purchase a property in Turkey.You must make sure that you do not make big payments before this permit comes through and that any pre-payment you make is secured.The time it used to take for the permit to come through was approximately from six to eight weeks. However, in order to decrease this waiting time and to prevent the purchase of unnaturally large areas of land in Turkey by certain foreign political groups, the Turkish government is in the process of amending the old property laws. As a result, until this law is passed, no applications for title deed ownership are being processed. The new law is expected to come into force in November and should make the process simpler and more efficient. The TBCCI can supply you with a list of solicitors who can assist you. A good web-site for information is that of the Turkish Embassy: www.turkisheconomy.org.uk
5. Residency
   A Residence Visa is only required for permanent residence or stays of longer than three months at a time. If you intend to take up residency, application for a 12 month visa should be made to: the Consulate General, Turkish Consulate, Rutland Lodge, Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BW prior to your arrival in Turkey. Their web site address is www.turkconsulatelondon.com. Do not leave matters such as household effects, pets, or motor vehicles to the last minute. Allow at least three months to find out all you need to know and make the necessary application in good time. Having arrived in Turkey to take up residency, you are required to report to the Local Authorities within 28 days of arrival and apply for your residency permit.This is in addition to obtaining your visa,which is placed in your passport issued by the Consulate.
6. Work Permits
   It is possible to obtain a work permit and work in Turkey, but this is normally arranged prior to your arrival. If you have been offered work in Turkey, you should make inquiries at the Turkish Consulate to obtain the required permit. Working in Turkey without this permit is forbidden.
7. Social Security and UK Pension
   UK retirement pension is payable in Turkey at the rate which is payable as if you were in the United Kingdom. For general details and information of the social security agreement between the UK and Turkey, visit www.dwp.gov.uk or obtain the explanatory leaflet SA22 from the Department of Health and Social Security.
8. Medical Insurance
   There are government run and private hospitals in Turkey. Although you may, under the reciprocal agreement between the UK and Turkey, be entitled to certain medical services, it is advisable to take out private medical insurance cover to ensure you can obtain the level of treatment you require.
9. Tax Regulations
   Any earnings from property lettings in Turkey are subject to tax in Turkey. For international tax issues and double taxation relief and for information on your UK tax liabilities, you can visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk. Among the membership of the TBCCI are excellent consultants who can advise you on financial and tax matters.
10. DO's and DON’Ts
    Do your homework very thoroughly and narrow down the choice of areas to suit your needs.
    Do make sure that the property has a clean title deed.
    Do make sure that you deal with a reputable company who are licensed in Turkey or the UK. The Turkish British Chamber of Commerce and Industry can help you find the right people for you.
    Do Not buy from waiters, people in the street, or anyone who says they know a good deal.
    Do Not hand over any money when a development has not even been started.
    Do Not give your Power of Attorney to any Solicitor that you have not been introduced to or are not comfortable with.
    Do Not undertake renovation work unless you are there to watch the work. The problem with older properties is the title deeds (Tapu) which can have several names on them and they are not built to European earthquake standards.