Istanbul journal: Turkish Delights

a entry by Wanderlust Mugfords from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

We entered Istanbul amidst rush hour and the endless suburbs were snarling with traffic. It felt like we'd never make it to our hotel but as we cornered into the refurbished and ancient area of Sultanahmet the mass of chaos seemed far away. Being the centre of Istanbul's backpacker and tourist attraction scene, I expected Sultanahmet to be a bustling mess of people but our surprise was welcome and we dotted down quickly before turning around for dinner.

Today was the end of our tour, another sad time as our family for the last 5 weeks was to disband again. To top off the tour we treated ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Property Investment in Turkey

Indeed, the future looks bright for Turkey property. This is why there has been a lot more interest in buying property here from wise investors even more so in recent years than in neighboring countries like Bulgaria. Ever since Turkey began talks of achieving accession in to the European Union and making the transition to a market economy, property investors from all over the world have had their eyes on Turkish property market.

One of the reasons why this is so is because property prices in most places in Turkey are still about ten years behind similar ones in Spain. Prices have begun to rise in recent years particularly along idyllic Riviera region in the south which has become a preferred destination for tourists seeking sun and sea from all over the world. Since it was announced that Turkey is a prime candidate for European Union membership, the country has become a source of much confidence from investment property in Turkey.

Turkeys tourism board has been pouring a lot of money in to promoting the countrys Mediterranean resorts. This is why there has become so much interest in Turkish holiday homes and second homes from property investors around the world. Each year, those who wish to buy to let have more and more tourists renting out their properties during the prolonged summer season along the coast. And those who are buying off plan at pre construction prices have come to find out that there is strong interest in the resale market in Turkey. For many years, Turkey has dreamed of becoming an official part of Europe. Now that it looks like that dream is going to become a reality, Turkey has done much in changing its laws and legislations to align it more with its European neighbors. This has given the country a political and economic advantage. More and more European visitors flock to Turkey each year to enjoy its myriad attractions.






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[Source: Kusadasi Property Business]

Kusadasi Real Estate

Why Turkey? And why Kusadasi? Well, in this idyllic beach town with Mediterranean weather year round, prices are a lot lower than in similar locales throughout Mediterranean Europe. While prices have begun to rise in recent years as the rest of the world slowly begins to discover Kusadasi, the value of properties here has also begun to increase. This makes Kusadasi a wise place for property investment in Turkey.

It is not just the sun, which shines on the city three hundred days a year, nor the powdery beaches and crystal clear water that are attracting so many tourists property investors for Kusadasi real estate. The city is also surrounded by a myriad of historic sites, including the nearby ruins of Ephesus as well as the House of the Virgin, where the Virgin Mary is said to have lived out her final days.



With Turkey becoming an increasingly stable place for property investment as the country makes its way towards European Union accession, property investors from all the world have had their eyes on this hidden paradise and on Kusadasi in particular. Turkey Property investment has a bright future, as the country is rapidly making political and economic changes as a means of aligning itself with its European neighbors. And Kusadasi is the place where a lot of property investors in Turkey are starting to look.

Whether you are seeking a retirement home, a second home, or a home to let, Kusadasi is a wise choice of investment. While tourism has been on the rise here since the 1970s, it is believed that more and more tourists will be coming here as the country eases its way towards accession in to the European Union. This is why so many are scrambling to buy in Kusadasi today before prices get too steep.

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[Source: Kusadasi Property Business]

Fethiye journal: Sun, Sea, Sand and Sun Burn

"Butterfly valley was one the places a few people had mentioned that must be seen .In the park there is a 60m high waterfall and some unique butterflies but owing to the fact that I left my money on the boat, the furthest I got was the pebble beach"

a entry by wendyp from a trip to Fethiye, Mugla.

After not more then 2.5 hours sleep karina and myself woke to see off the other group, after holding back the tears (just joking) and being trusted with the tip money I staggered back to bed .I cant have slept more then a further 30 minutes before being woken up by my stomach going into tight, tight knots .Karina was in the bathroom, I tried in vain to find another bathroom but it was useless .I took a deep breath and asked Karina if she minded, I couldnt wait. She was cool about it, as long as I didnt flush. Leaving Karina with firm instructions not to lift the lid, just flush. I felt such ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: Getting Lost (Figuratively) in Istanbul

"Time stands still here. I don`t worry about anything - what day it is, what time..nor do I care. I am living in complete bliss!"

a entry by Myra-World Explorer from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

I love every single facet of Istanbul - from the grandiose mosques to the gregarious people. I have to thank my former colleague, Erin, for recommending this place. I never knew how amazing this visit would be.

Stepping foot in my hostel -Paris Hostel and Hotel- was an immediate relief. I saw numerous tourists in the common area and based on the vibe alone, I knew I picked the right place. Soon after I checked into my dorm room, I received a much appreciated call from my Will (referring to the character from "Will and Grace"), Rene DValery. It was so nice to hear from someone ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Foreigns Purchasing Property in Turkey

Turkey is on one of the fastest growing global emerging markets. Its prospective European Union membership has opened the floodgates of foreigners interested in buying property in Turkey. The increase in Turkeys political and economic stability is likely to add the multitude of world travelers that flock to the countrys pristine beaches and rich ancient cultural sites.

Turkeys impending EU membership provides growth potential that will certainly boost the prices of real estate there in the future. Buying property now can lead to gains as property prices there continue to increase. The property prices in Turkey are significantly lower than other European destinations and still at value prices. Taxes are comparatively low in the country, as well. Property investment experts Amberlamb rated Turkeys property sector as one of the top five expected European market performers in capital terms of capital appreciation in 2007. Both residential and vacation properties are available and profitable purchases for foreign nationals in Turkey. Additionally, housing availability trails demand in the country.Since Turkish parliament ratified a law in January 2006 allowing foreign nationals to purchase property, foreign nationals are afforded the same property ownership rights as Turkish citizens. The reciprocity clause also must be met for foreign nationals to purchase property in Turkey. The clause states citizens of countries whose governments allow Turkish nationals to purchase real estate in their country are allowed to purchase real estate in Turkey. Most Western countries meet this standard. Also, there are no restrictions on selling and reselling, so recently bought property can quickly be sold.
The Turkish property market is emerging rapidly and offers the investor a variety of possibilities to maximize gains on property investments. Property prices in Turkey are dependent upon where the property is located, the type of material used in construction and the propertys architectural elements. Other value-determining aspects include how easy it is to reach the property, its proximity to an airport, the regions economic activities and availability of nearby services.
There are some restrictions on where foreign nationals may purchase property in Turkey. They may not purchase property in Turkeys strategic military and security zones. Foreigners are also not allowed to own property outside the center of a village because in case the area has not been available for purchase or it may belong to the Ministry of Forest. Clearance from military authorities can take 6-12 weeks to process.
Along with the price of the property, several other legal fees must be taken into account when purchasing property in Turkey. First, there is a 10 percent deposit to be paid to reserve a property. Then the real estate agency fee is fixed rate at 3 percent of the purchase price from the buyer. There are also fees to be paid to the legal notary, to a sworn translator and for photographs. Additionally, there are purchase and land registration fees, as well as compulsory earthquake insurance. Finally, a 1.5 percent duty both for the purchaser and seller must be paid. In addition, there is an annual property tax, collected by the local government at the rate of 0.1 percent for houses and 0.3 percent for developed lands.


Hasan Deniz

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[Source: Kusadasi Property Business]

Property Mortgages for Foreigners in Turkey

The recent development in Turkey makes the business of real estate livelier than ever, and as a leading Real Estate Agent in Kusadasi, we are more than happy to announce the good news to foreigners and those who are interested in investing in the Turkish property at Kusadasi.

Mortgage transactions in Turkey have seen the light of day, and foreigners in Turkey can now take part in this financial process. As foreigners rave about the good news, investors start seeing the economy and the business in a lively manner, and there is a high speculation about the return of the property investments.

Turkey property is becoming more and more accessible to those who want to own one, whether it is for business or personal needs, and foreign investors see it as a welcome for development. A lot of mortgage options are being discussed as Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener confirmed the approval of the bill regulating the Mortgages in Turkey.There are also different options for the foreign businessman to consider aside from the Turkey mortgages themselves. They can also re-mortgage their existing property or use their own personal funds, and they can also arrange for personal loans. The implementation of the Turkish mortgage will definitely give way to the further increase of investments and flourishing of the tourist economy, which may lead to a boost in property prices.

The Turkish mortgage opening is the product of demand from British nationals and Scandinavian countries that eventually led Turkish banks to prepare special mortgages plans and products for them. Even when the announcement had not yet been made, banks had already prepared packages and plans to sell real estate to foreigners in anticipation of the event. Even though mortgages are a risky business, banks readily considered following the big clamor of other European countries, and this led to the development of new tools to safeguard their businesses. The recent entry of Turkey into the European Union makes the demand of opening up real estate business much higher, and Turkey is responding to it positively.

The steps in applying for a mortgage from a Turkish bank is easy and fast. Foreign nationals can apply up to 65% of the property value as evaluated by bank experts. Requirements include: Proof of income, a one year period tax reports, a valid passport, and the current status of your mortgage back in your home country. After submitting the said requirements to the bank, which also includes the title certificate of the property, your mortgage will then be pre-approved by the military upon arrival. After processing the loan will be immediately paid to the sellers and the deed of property will be issued in the applicants name. The Minimum mortgage amount is 30,000 Euros, and no maximum limit set as of now. Please contact us on www.turkeyrealest.com

In pricing comparisons, most bank executives readily admit that Turkey is more attractive and more competitive compared to the foreigners home countries, and thats the reason for the clamor by the British, Irish and Dutch nationalities as well as other European nationals. The executives take note that foreign nationals will readily take up most of the investments in real estate, and as a result of these developments, a welcome advancement will occur in terms of revenues on the local and national scale.



Source:Turkey Realest Properties


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[Source: Kusadasi Property Business]