Turkey is a vast country, over three times the size of the UK and some 25% larger than France. Straddling between Europe and Asia, with almost 7,000 kilometres of Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Sea, Turkey is home to a unique mosaic of cultures, diverse landscape and dynamic social make up. If you are looking for property overseas, wish to buy a holiday home in the sun, a place to retire or purely real estate investment in an upwardly mobile country, then no search is complete without having a good look at Turkish real estate for sale.
Where to buy a holiday home in Turkey?
With so many lovely resorts and towns to choose from, it is a task in itself to decide where to buy that special villa in Turkey or that sea view apartment, which will be your new home in Turkey and double up for some rental income. According to statistics published by the Turkish real estate agents association, Antalya, Fethiye, Bodrum and Side are the most popular holiday home destinations in Turkey. Properties in Antalya enjoy the proximity of a bustling seaside city with lovely beaches and excellent golf courses of Belek, whereas Kalkan properties provide some of the most dramatic sea views experienced in the entire Mediterranean, not to mention Kalkan's elegant setting and fine dining. Side holiday homes for sale are ideal for families with children, where shallow waters gently touch sandy shores. Real estate in Bodrum on the other hand is your key to Turkey's most sophisticated resort with plenty of sailing and seafront homes in lovely Yalikavak, Turkbuku or Gumusluk. Then we have sun-soaked Fethiye with most affordable villas and flats for sale in Turkey near the most pictured Oludeniz beach.
Looking to retire overseas - where should you buy your retirement home in Turkey?
When considering a permanent move abroad and buying a property for year round living, there are some important factors to take into account. Proximity of amenities, hospitals, schools and a stable local community are some of the elements one would naturally look at. In our dealings with over 10,000 people from all over the world looking at Turkish real estate with a view to permanent living in Turkey, we find that properties in Fethiye, Bodrum and Antalya (including Side and Kemer) are natural favourites for year round living. They all have excellent climates with over 300 days of sunshine, mild winters and the right level of facilities to sustain year round living.
Where to invest in Turkish real estate?
With an average annual GDP growth in excess of 8% for 2010 - 2012 period, Turkey has posted exceptional economic performance compared to the EU zone and indeed to BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China). In 2011 and 2012 Turkey's economic expansion was only second to China. IMF estimates that Turkey will yet again outperform most BRICs countries and certainly the entire Euro zone in 2013 - 2017 period with an average annual expansion of 5%+ projected. Turkish real estate industry is currently one of the major growth sectors within Turkey. With a youth population of over 60% of entire 76 million and increasing wealth in the country, domestic demand for the Turkish real estate industry is fast climbing. Turkish real estate agents association estimates that by year 2015 there will be a shortage of around 2 million quality housing in Turkey just to accommodate domestic demand, this is not even counting the booming tourism sector, 6th most visited country in the world in 2011, which also puts a heavy demand on coastal hotel, villa and apartment projects. In 2011, property market in Turkey grew by some 18% compared to year before. Considering that at the same period Greece, Spain and Portugal came close to announcing bankruptcy underlines the viability of owning property in Turkey.
Prime location Istanbul or better to look at prospering Antalya?
From a purely investment viewpoint property for sale in Istanbul deserves a close look, however, one needs to be very selective. There are many offers on the market and not all are viable. We recommend real estate in Istanbul prime locations as opposed to heavily marketed bargain apartments on the outskirts of the city. Naturally, prime locations of Istanbul are expensive, therefore we suggest investors should have a good look at Antalya property market as a viable and exceptional alternative to prime location real estate of Istanbul.
How about rental returns and capital growth?
On the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of Turkey, your holiday home in Antalya, Fethiye, Kalkan and Bodrum could easily deliver in excess of 6% rental returns after all expenses paid. Considering that the average rental yield in the UK is 4.8%, this is quite a strong return. Coupled with steep capital growth in several years, you could build your very own nest egg in Turkish real estate. Another interesting profile to underline is the beachfront Turkey property segment.
Can you suggest a niche segment of Turkish real estate to keep an eye on?
Keen investors and of course keen sailors alike should keep a solid eye on waterfront properties in Turkey. This is an incredibly lucrative segment of the Turkish real estate market. Compared to France, Spain and Italy, beachfront properties in Turkey come at one third the price tag for comparable villas and apartments. Luxury villas for sale at the seafront in Bodrum, Kalkan, Kas and Fethiye could be purchased from as little as Euro 400,000, whereas a comparable villa in Spain or France would cost no less than Euro 1.3m. This is a huge price gap and we suggest that it is an artificial one. We do not expect prices of beach front properties in France to come down for these are highly desirable homes, however, as more and more people discover the stunning coastline of Turkey, we expect waterfront homes in Turkey to appreciate quite significantly over the next 3-5 years. The number of foreign registered boats and yachts entering Turkish waters have tripled since 2005, clearly indicating that Turkey is becoming a desirable boating destination. Considering the breathtaking beauty of the bays and coves in the Aegean and Mediterranean waters of Turkey, this is not surprising at all.
Located within a 5-star development, this property is suitable for year round living in the highly desired area of Calis within the Fethiye region and has access to a full range of social facilities and shared spaces to use.
Available in sizes ranging up to six bedrooms, these new apartments are situated in the highly residential neighbourhood of Cengelkoy in Uskudar and have beautiful views stretching out over the Bosphorus Sea.
Close to West Marina with striking nature views, this brand new villa forms part of a private estate in the Beylikduzu area of Istanbul and is ideal for those seeking a life of luxury within easy commuting distances to the centre.
At an affordable price, this is an excellent opportunity to purchase a high quality home in a desired area of Ovacik in the region of Fethiye, looking out towards the mountains and distant sea with a tremendous view.
Built to luxury standards throughout, this excellent apartment is located in Kadikoy area of Istanbul and is moments away from Bagdat Avenue, where hundreds of international brands, shops, and daily amenities await.
This is an absolute must see in Buyukcekmece, one of the top projects in the entire area and one that is located on the coastline with lots of family orientated facilities including a Marina Bazaar and Performance Square – do not miss this opportunity.
This luxury-designed villa is a must see for someone looking to buy the very best real estate available in Ovacik area of Fethiye – this home is on the market as completely furnished and is ready to move in immediately.
Suitable for year round living within an elite area of the city, this superb apartment is located in Tarabya area of Istanbul and is just a short two minute walking distance away from the Bosphorus Sea for relaxing.
Spacious family home for sale within a residential compound in Zekeriyakoy area of Sariyer, suitable for permanently living in Istanbul with loved ones just a short two minute driving distance away from a British school.
Tucked away in Dalyan is this huge property with an unlimited amount of space for someone looking for the ideal getaway in Turkey all set within a mature garden. With five spacious bedrooms, there is room for the whole family to enjoy without stepping on each others toes.
Perfect for golf lovers is this brand new villa for sale in Belek region of Turkey, just moments away from golf courses and popular beaches for those with families and those looking to spend long summer vacations abroad.
Located directly on the seafront, this remarkable project in Buyukcekmece offers homes for sale ranging from two – five bedrooms and is an investors’ dream with prices set to rise by a minimum of 35% before the stated completion date.
In the city centre of Istanbul, these Taksim apartments are just a short walking distance away from Istiklal Avenue and are a must see for those looking to buy within an area of historical and cultural significance that is undergoing regeneration.
Charm Blue Just metres away from the ocean is this first-class project of expansive homes for sale in Zeytinburnu, the perfect option for those looking for elite-living just 10 minutes away from Ataturk Airport and within commuting distances to the centre.
Specially designed and built to luxury standards throughout, this brand new detached villa is found in a residential complex in the sought after Kemer area of Turkey and offers six bedrooms for the largest of families to live inside.
Charm Blue Looking out across the sea with some of the most impressive panoramic views possible are these brand new apartments in Zeytinburnu for sale – this is the last chance saloon to buy a seafront home in central Istanbul.
This very large detached villa is found in a residential area of Dosemealti in Antalya, surrounded by natural views and offering privacy for those looking to escape to the country yet find themselves close to the city centre.
Built to be used as a family home in Kas, this gorgeous stone villa is just minutes away from the centre full of life and things to do – situated within a private plot with its own swimming pool and landscaped green gardens.
Panoramic sea view villa built to the highest possible standards in a private area of Kas, fully furnished and ready for new owners today – this house offers an abundance of rental potential for those looking to invest in Turkey.
Built using locally sourced stone of the highest quality, this sea view villa is found in a private area of Kas and is for sale at a great price for those seeking the very best real estate in the peninsula – completely furnished.
Designed and built to immaculate standards, this detached villa for sale is just a short walking distance away from the centre of Hisaronu full of popular bars, high quality restaurants, and nightlife to enjoy all year round.
One of our top picks in the Dalyan area of Turkey, this charming four bedroom house enjoys tremendous views out across the surrounding mountains and is just a 15 minute stroll in the sun away from the town centre full of life.