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.
Offering various types of properties for buyers to choose from, this fantastic complex is nestled within a residential area of Belek centre and has access to a shared swimming pool and landscaped mature gardens.
Bahcesehir tenanted property for sale within a high street with long term contract in place – just minutes away from public transportation and suitable for an investor looking to maximise their return on real estate.
Rising in the residential Uskudar area on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, these exciting homes are available to purchase in various types and sizes – ideal for investors as well as families looking to move to Turkey.
Rising in Kartal on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, these fantastic apartments have Title Deeds ready and are suitable for Turkish Citizenship by Investment applications with properties in various types to choose from.
Metres away from a private beach, this luxury-designed apartment is found in Kadikalesi area of Bodrum and forms part of a world class complex equipped with hotel facilities and spaces for residents to enjoy.
Fully completed and ready to move in immediately, these luxury-designed apartments are for sale within the city centre of Istanbul in Bomonti district – just a few minutes away from shops and all daily necessities.
With a smart home system installed to allow you to control your home at the touch of a button, this high specification penthouse is the perfect setting for elite living and features a private sauna and Bogacay River views.
Turkey's golfing centre, Belek is a dream for those who wish to get active and enjoy a range of sporting facilities all within easy walking distance from your door. This luxury villa offers four large bedrooms and a wonderful private swimming pool within an exclusive estate of homes.
5 minute walk to Bodrum Marina are these beautifully designed stone houses in Bodrum Centre within an elite estate. There are 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas available set within a tangerine garden with ample terraces and designer interiors. A rare find for Bodrum real estate enthusiasts. Very high rental income potential.
Just a short two minute walking distance to the beach is this stunning project offering a superb investment value for someone looking to capitalise on all that is great in Antalya today. Placed overlooking the river and with superb facilities for residents - very well priced and one not to be missed.
Built to luxury standards by a top developer in Alanya, these beautiful apartments and villas come highly recommended for viewing at the earliest and have lovely views heading out towards the sea and Taurus Mountains.
Built to modern standards throughout, these spacious apartments are nestled within a residential area of Kepez in the city of Antalya and form part of a high quality complex with a vast range of social facilities.
Built to luxury standards, these apartments are for sale in the highly desired area of Maslak and are within walking distances to a Metro and long 1.5km street lined with restaurants, shops, and everyday necessities.
Title Deed ready, these modern apartments rise within the Central Business District of Istanbul and are available in various types and sizes – suitable for those investing as well as those relocating to Turkey.
For sale at first call prices in the historical setting of Topkapi in Zeytinburnu, these Istanbul residences are available in sizes ranging from one – five bedrooms and are just a short 15 minutes away from the city centre for lifestyle buyers and investors.