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Buying property in Turkey is not as complicated as you might imagine. The procedure is often far simpler than in most other European countries.

The system of property ownership in Turkey is based on the title of the property being registered the Land Registry.

Who Can Own Property in Turkey?
First the "reciprocity principle" must apply between the Country of the person wishing to obtain acquisition of ownership. In other words, if a Turkish citizen can become the owner of real estate in the UK, then the same right applies to a UK citizen in Turkey.

Selling Property in Turkey
Capital gains made from the sale of a property will be taxable in Turkey if the owner is a Company. Individuals do not have to pay capital gains, provided they have owned the property for four year. In the UK capital gains may be taxable depending on the individuals’ situation. Current tax conditions were originally agreed in a double taxation treaty signed in 1986. These were amended in October 1988 and cover the reciprocal agreement in relation to income tax and corporation tax in Turkey and income, corporation and capital gains taxes in the UK.

Property & Conveyancing in Turkey
Turkey Homes Online work very closely with our recommended Law Firm in connection with property transactions in Turkey.

Persons wishing to buy property in Turkey can be apprehensive about their choice of lawyer since they will not be familiar with the firms nor, in most cases, with the civil law system. We can put these misgivings to rest by recommending the lawyers we work with who are reliable and will provide an efficient and professional service. Click Here Profile of Law Firm.

We can further assist by explaining the civil law procedures and translating documents. If a client so wishes we can also act on their behalf, through a Power of Attorney or a written authority, to actually complete a purchase or sale of a property on their behalf.

Step by step process once you have decided to buy a property

Once you decide to buy property we will inform you of the payment plan for the particular property and/or other costs involved BEFORE you decide to go any further.

1. Inspection Trip
We can organize an inspection trip so that you can come to Turkey to see the property or land before buying. If you are buying off plan or a new build we can take you to the location of the site and you can speak with the developer directly.

We recommend a 3-5 day trip and the cost includes flights (subject to availability), transfers to and from the airport. The cost of the flight will be refunded when you purchase a property through Turkey Homes Online. Please contact us for prices and availability.

When you come to Turkey please bring with you the following documents:

Your passport and any passport of the persons you want to be on the title deeds, as well as two photocopies of the passports.

6 Passport sized photos of each person who will appear on the title deeds.

2. Reservation Fee
When you decide to buy you will need to pay a reservation fee to secure the property. This will hold the property until the deposit is due to be paid. This can be paid before or after the inspection trip. We will provide you with a complete payment plan and terms and condition of sale.

3.  Legalities

When you are ready to move ahead with the purchase we take you to our recommended law firm (or a solicitor of your choice) who will draw up the sales agreement.

The solicitor will make sure that the title of the property is checked to make sure that;

• The person who is selling the property actually owns it
• Whether there are any charges on the property (All charges are filed in the Land Registry office)
• That building permissions and licenses are in order
• The terms and conditions stipulated by the seller are checked for fairness

The sale agreement will then be translated from Turkish into English by the legal translator. The solicitor, legal translator, buyer and seller will sign the sale agreements, and each party will get the sale agreement in Turkish and in English, and we will keep one for our records.

It is at this stage, the deposit (as outlined in the payment plan), legal fees and the 3% agency fees will need to be paid. Please note that the deposit is non refundable.

If you are unable to stay in Turkey for a long period, we recommend that you give the power of attorney to your solicitor who will be able to act on your behalf to complete the rest of the procedures (To give a Power of Attorney will cost you £150 max including translation).  If you wish you may get this Power of Attorney document in your country and send it to us to act on behalf of you). To be legally binding, this has to be done at the notary in presence of a translator.

Please Note:
Giving your solicitor Power of Attorney does not give the solicitor any claim over your property. The property will be in your name and with your picture on the title deeds.

4. Release of Title Deeds (Tapu)
The release of the title deeds from the title deeds office is signed in the presence of the notary by the buyer and the seller. You can either attend the signing in person or appoint someone as power of attorney to attend on your behalf (which your solicitor can do for you)

At this stage you need to pay the balance due of your property, the buyers tax, earthquake insurance and the water and electricity connection fee. We will inform you of all payments that need to be made at this time (as reflected on your payment plan).

The solicitor will then arrange for the new title of the property to be registered with the local Council Office for property tax purposes.

Before you leave Turkey we advise you to obtain a tax number from the local Tax Office and to open a bank account (we will accompany you!). This will enable you to transfer the balance of any funds required and to make payments by standing order for your utilities i.e. electricity, water and telephone bills, or to get your rent in case you decide to let out your property

How else can Turkey Homes Online help you?
If you want to invest in Turkey but do not want to travel to Turkey you can give us Power of Attorney to purchase the property in YOUR name and we will take care of everything from start to finish.

When you authorize us we will be able to:

• Complete all the legal work required by Land Registry Office for your application,
• Follow-up the construction and check that the builder works according to the contract,
• Pay all the taxes,
• Complete the transfer of the title in your name and
• Register all utilities (electricity, water and telephone bills) in your name after you take over the property

Buying a property in Turkey is an easy process providing you work with the right people to guide you.

For complete peace of mind working with Turkey Homes Online you can rest assured we will ALWAYS put your interest first when dealing with developers in Turkey.