The Best Place to Buy Property in Turkey

Foreigners looking for the best place to buy property in Turkey are entering a healthy market with many destinations offering a full portfolio of off-plan, new build and resale apartments and villas.

Mass availability is driving Turkey’s real estate market, and buyers have many advantages to tap into and use. You have much potential for a profitable real estate investment, but before we start discussing possible locations, also look for a home that….

A: Fits within Your Budget

Altinkum’s reputation stems from low property prices, but head across to Mediterranean Kalkan, and expect to pay upwards of £100,000 to a million for a decent home. It’s worth knowing how a market is priced locally, so you don’t waste your time looking at other destinations that are above your budget.

B: Fulfils Your Purpose for Buying

If you want a buy to let investment, buying a home in a remote mountain village will narrow income potential. Likewise, people looking to move here should look for a spacious home more suited for permanent living than holidays. Know your purpose for buying before you look at houses.

C: Suits Your Lifestyle Choices

All destinations have different vibes and community atmosphere. For example, people who like a drink will find themselves limited in places like Trabzon, or certain conservative neighbourhoods of Istanbul. Elderly couples who want a quiet lifestyle should stay away from city centre districts that are often busy well into the night.

D: Adds Value to Your Real Estate Investment Portfolio

Buying a home is not just a lifestyle choice, but a financial commitment that if approached wisely, should net a good return on investment. Ideally, maximise your potential for capital appreciation and should you need to sell quickly, buy in an area with good liquidity.

Best Place to Buy Property in Turkey: Current Trends

To help you decide where to buy, knowing which areas are popular might influence your decision. Turk Stat, the official government Statistical Institute says Istanbul, Antalya and Bursa are the three most popular areas for foreign house sales.

Let’s look at the stats and why buyers prefer those areas over others.

1: Istanbul: European and Asian Sides

From 2013 to the present time, foreigners bought just over 40,000 properties in Istanbul, making it the most popular place in Turkey. It also gains top spot for domestic sales. As the most significant area made up of 39 districts, it’s Turkey’s leading hub of tourism, education, business and economy, therefore explaining its real estate popularity.

A superb ultramodern airport just opened in European Istanbul, and the city is improving transport and infrastructure links. The diversity of neighbourhoods is immense from the conservative hubs to partying and shopping destinations. If you don’t mind an urban lifestyle, Istanbul offers a lot of choices.

More Details: Istanbul City Guide and General Information.

2: The Antalya Province

Istanbul lacks a beach-side and coastal resort ambience, so this is where the Antalya province steps up to the mark. From 2013 to 2018, foreigners bought just over 33,600 homes in Antalya, either in the city centre or coastal resorts like Alanya, Side, Kemer, and Belek.

Its cosmopolitan ambience attracts different nationalities including Russians, Europeans, Brits, Asians, and Middle Eastern buyers and many settled in the area and now live there all year round.

Its unrivalled hospitality, nightlife and shopping scenes combine with the best beaches in Turkey as rated by Trip Advisor. Hence buyers have the best of both worlds. They can also choose from 19 official districts covering 500 kilometres of the southern coastline.

Further Reading: Antalya Information: City and Holiday Resort Area Guide.

3: Bursa in Northwest Turkey

In 2013, Bursa was the 6th most popular place for foreign house sales, but over the last three years has risen the ranks to become third. Middle-Eastern buyers who find many cultural and lifestyle similarities are driving this rise in popularity.

With prices starting at around £20,000, Bursa is one of the cheapest places to buy property in Turkey and is also home to the famous ski resort of Uludag, hence providing year-round outdoor activities. Read about more reasons buyers like Bursa here.

Other Places in Turkey to Buy Property

Although the above three regions are popular for home sales, foreigners buy in other destinations across the country. They generally stay away from the landlocked east, with its more conservative lifestyle and less developed areas.

Instead, the Black Sea, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts host many foreign buyers, some of which live in Turkey all year round. Let’s look at other places with potential for savvy real estate investments.

1: Authentic Alacati

Sitting on the Izmir peninsula in western Turkey, Alacati, another destination whose popularity is rising has a hardcore fan base among Istanbul Turks who want to retire or buy a summer home there. They adore an authentic and upmarket community ambience, but the traditional stone cottages equipped with all the quirks of a modern lifestyle are all the rage.

Alacati’s main claim to fame is as Turkey’s best windsurfing destination. It also sits next to Cesme, an upmarket resort adored by Turks for many years. While the resorts are small, both are just a short drive into Izmir city centre, that is Turkey’s largest city with a influenced western outlook. (More about Alacati.)

2: The Capital of Ankara

Ankara, the fifth most popular place for property purchases is the second largest city and a hive of activity around the clock. Working expats who settled in Ankara, enjoy a lively nightlife and shopping scene and historical attractions include a castle and Anitkabir, the resting place of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Its location in the heart of central Anatolia is quite a distance from beaches so for leisure and weekend breaks, locals visit places like Beypazari and Cappadocia. (Real Estate in Ankara.)

3: The Bodrum Peninsula

Although various nationalities have bought properties in Bodrum, Brits adore the region and make up a large part of local expat communities. The love of foreigners for this part of Turkey is not a newfound friendship because, for decades, creative artisans and writers have flocked to Bodrum for inspiration.

Known as the birthplace of Turkish Blue Voyage cruises, potential property buyers can choose from 20 small towns and coastal resorts. Yalikavak because famous when the ultramodern Palmarina opened its doors. Hosting yachts from all around the world, it’s now the place to be seen, while neighbouring Gumusluk maintains a quieter and more laid-back ambience.

Brits love Turgutreis and the water sports destination of Gumbet while Golturkbuku hosts rich and famous Turkish celebrities, and Bitez is a favourite for Turkish retirees. Being a peninsula, a life by the sea is guaranteed no matter where you buy, and Bodrum is another place catering for everyone regardless of budget or lifestyle preferences.

Find Out More: Bodrum information: Area Guide and Resort Info.

4: Bolu in Northwest Turkey

For buying property or even just travel, foreigners rarely venture to Bolu, yet Turks adore the region covering 7000 square kilometres. Places of natural beauty include Abant and Golcuk lakes, and the Yedigoller National Park. Dense forests and natural spa springs also attract Turkish tourists throughout the year.

Given the stunning beauty during summer and autumn, you might assume life dials down in winter, but it doesn’t. Frozen lakes turn into ice skating rinks, and Kartalkaya mountain attracts winter sports enthusiasts for the best skiing and snowboarding in Turkey. (More about the Bolu District.)

5: Dalyan: Iztuzu Beach, Mud Baths and Lycian Rock Tombs

Dalyan, a popular tourist destination is home to the famous Iztuzu beach, mud baths and Lycian rock tombs overlooking the delta. The small-scale expat community enjoy a peaceful lifestyle because although hotels sell package holidays, most visitors are day trip tourists from surrounding holiday resorts, so the town centre escaped trappings of mainstream, mass tourism that blighted other resorts.

Dalyan, just 30 minutes transfer from the main Dalaman airport will suit those who want a more traditional outlook with all the cons of modern living. If the shops are not enough, Fethiye and Marmaris city centre, just an hour’s drive in both directions offers a bigger range. (See property for sale in Dalyan.)

6: The Fethiye Region

Fethiye, with its thriving tourism industry, is a firm favourite of British expats, and its marina and islands are great stopping points on Turkish Riviera Blue Voyage Cruises. Districts include the city centre, Calis Beach, Hisaronu, Ovacik, and Oludeniz, known for the Blue Lagoon, a top photographed place of Turkey.

Property in Oludeniz is scarce, but most buyers adore the nearby Ovacik and Hisaronu resorts overlooking it. The city centre is an ideal place for living in Turkey all year round because it doesn’t slow down, even when the tourism trade dies down from October to April.

Many of our customers who bought Fethiye property said two factors influenced their decision to choose it over other destinations. The low price of property and value for money was a strong lure, but beautiful landscapes were just too stunning to ignore.

Read More: Fethiye Information: Area Guide and Resort Info.

7: Kalkan: A Luxurious Lifestyle

Kalkan is low-key but does it with style and finesse. Most properties for sale are large villas, with infinity pools and amazing Mediterranean Sea views. The upmarket theme carries through the town, with boutique shops, classy bars and surreal rooftop restaurants offering the best of luxury living.

Kalkan isn’t a budget town, and this is clear in its real estate portfolio of which most start at around £100,000 and head up past the millionaire mark. The town breaks down into six districts, all offering buyers something unique.

Some buyers rent their villas for summer holiday packages because the town makes a roaring trade in self-catering villas and a high rental yield provides a lucrative income.

Read More: Kalkan Area Guide and Resort Info.

8: Beautiful Yalova

Budget buyers, who want to stay away from the lively expat destinations would do well to look at the up-and-coming district of Yalova. As the fourth most popular place to buy property, its reputation is growing, yet for many decades, Istanbul locals have enjoyed it for a weekend getaway.

The stunning green landscapes have a countrywide reputation for their natural spa springs, and Middle-Eastern and Asians buyers are driving the trend to own a home there. Istanbul, a two-hour drive by road also runs ferry services to and from Yalova. (More about this destination.)

Advice About Buying Turkish Real Estate

As you can see, with the vast range of potential destinations, deciding where the best place to buy property in Turkey is a personal lifestyle decision to make, but for inspiration, see our full range of apartments and villas for sale across the country here.

First-time buyers will also enjoy reading our “all you need to know guide.” The simple Turkish property buying process is easy to follow and half the hassle compared to other countries, yet it helps to be informed of what to expect. We cover topics like the extra fees, contracts, solicitors, translators, power of attorney, capital gains tax and other things to know.

Alternatively, to speak to an experienced and local sales representative, contact us via email, phone or by visiting one of our regional offices. Also, let us know your budget and desired locations, and we will send a portfolio of current homes for sale that you will like.