quote:

Originally posted by Mr BC:
Well done Massecco, you win, it is your thread and you appear to be able to get opposing posts removed at will, so well done you must be very proud, now back to the real world..............

quote:

Originally posted by mrphil:
I have lived part=time in Turkey for nearly 4 years in rented accommodation. I was initially intending to buy out there but heard so many horror stories of people not being able to resell their property, that I decided against it.

Some people had bought villas with lovely views, only to have an apartment block built a few years later = blocking the view! Others had bought in a peaceful location - only to have thousands of new builds thrown up all around it after a few years or so.

But the most frightening aspect was how the properties DEPRECIATED in true value. Unless you sell it at a LOSS then your property is worth nothing if no one wants to buy it. I met many people who couldn't move because of this. Some people even went to the lengths of trying to Swap! And still there were no takers.

I'd never buy in Turkey. Where I live I've watched villas being thrown up as quick as anything.

And yes Turkey is expensive. Alcohol is dearer, meat, petrol, electrical goods, mobile phones, computers - internet providers.............and don't even get me started on health care!

quote:

Originally posted by a010454:
How would you rate N. Cyprus then? it being part of turkey (at the moment)
I am considering buying there as the prices are much lower than in the south.
I know and respect the problems but I am thinking that if I buy a property which was TURKISH or FOREIGN pre 1974 then it should be safe.
Any opinions?

quote:

Originally posted by masseco:
Having just sold my property in Turkey, i think its wise people have a good read of this and beware the real pitfalls that await you in Turkey. I have just moved back after living there for 2 yrs and had an absolute nightmare with what went on.
If you are going to buy in Turkey, work out what sort of purchase its going to be.
1) Investment- If its long term then fine, this is possibly the best way of going about things but what the future holds for Turkey i could not say.
2) Rental- Well to say its none existant is wrong, it does exist but its not widely available, unlike the UK where every agent will have a letting dept, there are none in Turkey. Why? Well because its a numbers game and once its sold its your responsibilty. I have seen Emlaks (estate agents) say yes there is a good market and then do nothing once they have handed over the keys. They are just simply lying to you!! On top of this there will be hotels where you have brought your property and these will be all-inclusive, so why would someone pay you £500pw and then flights on top and food and drinks for a family of 4 when they can all inclusive for sooooo much cheaper? The figures do not stack up!
3) Re-sale - So you have decided to buy and the property after 1 years ownership has 'risen' by 20%, so you think i will sell and buy something bigger, but why would someone buy yours when they can buy a new property with all appliances and choice of finish for the same price? Its just not going to sell.
4) Location - All british buyers are looking Didim/Altinkum for investing and to a lesser extent Alanya on the south coast. Alanya is now in serious problems, a friend told me over there that there are now over 30,000 unsold apartments in Alanya. Didim/Altinkum has a huge stock of properties that just simply will not sell, but you would understand if you went there, its a s*** hole!
5) Cost of living- What really suprises me is that everyone talks about Turkey being cheaper than the UK. I can tell you its about the same, infact the UK is cheaper on things like meat, alcohol and believe it or not fuel! Turkey is the second most expensive place in the world for petrol.
6) Crime- Please do not belive the stories of there being no crime over there, Didim/Altinkum is the capital of robberies and burglaries in Turkey, there are many many pickpockets that operate in and around the markets and they are looking only for Brits to rob. Turkey also has a lot guns floating around so do be careful.
7)EU Membership- This is the best of all, Turkey is so far from EU entry that for some of you reading this , it will not happen in your lifetime but i would say IF it happens then at least another 20 years would be feasible but only with a lot of restrictions in place.
8)Money- The currency in Turkey has had a volatile 12 months and if you are investing in Turkey, there is no constructor that wants to be paid in Lira, they only want Sterling. That says a lot about what they think of their own currency.

The point i am trying to make is that if you are looking at a quick buck stick your money in the bank, if you are looking at long term then go for an EU member stae like Bulgaria or even Cyprus but steer clear of these 'amazing offers' as its all a load of rubbish and its just Turkish constructors trying to get money from your pocket. Be careful as theer are a lot of nasty elemnts that are at work in Turkey and they only want money.
I am more than happy to help anyone with any querries they may have as i was working in Real Estate in Turkey for 2 yrs and can give only impartial advice.

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Originally posted by philomena/2:
...any advice please?