Here is a simple breakdown of the buying process:

Step 1 – Securing the Property
Once you’ve found the perfect property and had your offer accepted, Oceanwide Properties will assist you in signing a contract with the seller. At this point, you’ll need to make a deposit, (the deposit amount is agreed between both parties)

It’s also crucial to clarify who will be responsible for paying the Property Purchase Tax. This can vary based on the specific circumstances of the buyer, seller, and property. Oceanwide Properties is here to explain the details and answer any questions you may have.

The contract will also specify the agreed-upon date for the deed transfer or the latest possible date by which the sale must be finalized. If you can’t attend at the Tapu Office (title Deed Offis) on the sale day, you’ll need to arrange for a power of attorney to a trusted person or solicitor.

Step 2 – Obtaining Tax Number and Opening a Bank Account
After the deposit has been paid and the contract signed, there are a few administrative tasks to take care of:

1. Obtain a Tax Number – Oceanwide Properties will help you acquire a tax number, a simple online process.
2. Open a Bank Account – If you don’t already have a bank account in Turkey, we will assist you in opening one once you have your tax number.

Step 3 – Transferring Funds to Turkey
To complete the transaction, you’ll need to ensure your funds are in your Turkish bank account well ahead of the agreed deed transfer date. Be sure to check with your bank regarding transfer times to avoid any delays. The bank handling the transfer will require the IBAN details of your Turkish account.

Please keep in mind that Turkey has several public holidays when banks are closed, so it’s important to allow extra time for transfers.

Step 4 – Appointment at the Deeds Office and Payment of Purchase Tax
Once everything is in place, Oceanwide Properties will arrange an appointment at the deeds office on your behalf, ideally the day before the transfer date. In order to schedule the appointment, a set of documents will need to be submitted, including your passport, identity form, passport photo, DAB certificate from the bank, Survey report (if applying for Turkish Citizenship), earthquake insurance (DASK), and more.

The deeds office will send a notification via SMS with the exact timing and the amount of purchase tax (stamp duty) due. Oceanwide Properties will guide you through the online payment process.

Step 5 – At the Deeds Office
If you’re not fluent in Turkish, an official sworn translator is required to ensure you understand the procedure at the deeds office. Oceanwide Properties can arrange this for you, with the cost payable on the day. The deed transfer process is generally swift, primarily involving the signing of documents. Once complete, you’ll receive a copy of your TAPU (property deed).

Officially the property is now yours! … Congratulations.

Step 6 – Registering Ownership and Utility Providers
After receiving your TAPU, you will need to register your ownership with the local council. To do this, you’ll need your TAPU, passport, and relevant paperwork.

For utility transfers (water, electricity, etc.), visit Muski (water) and Aydem (electric), bringing your tax number, passport, TAPU, DASK (earthquake insurance), and the seller’s utility account numbers. Oceanwide Properties is happy to assist with this process as well.

Oceanwide Properties is a licensed agency with over 20 years experience in helping buyers navigate the property market. Our team is dedicated to supporting you throughout every step of your journey.

Keep in mind, when buying a property in turkey there will be additional purchasing costs.

As a general guide we have broken these costs down into the categories below:

Estate Agent Commission & Fees
Translation Services
Earthquake Insurance
Purchasing Tax
Transfer of Title Deeds Payment
Admin & Notary Fees
Lawyer/Solicitor Fees should you choose to use legal representation
Bank fees when sending money transfers

Things change often here in Turkey, and when it comes to buying a property the rules, regulations and requirments are something that you need to pay close attention too, as they can change frequently.

For a foriegn national to buy a property here in Turkey it is a legal requirment for the buyer to have an official property valuation survey done.
This report needs to be done by a recognised registered professional surveyer.
There is a list of registered property surveyers approved by the Turkish goverment that are able to do this job, however the relevent departments that the survey is sent to can ask at any time for another survey to be done (at present this is common practise).

The same is required of a Turkish national if they are buying a property with a mortgage.

This survey is submitted on line and in Turkish to the title deeds office, if you need help understanding this document you can always ask your estate agent or a certified translator.

On the title deeds, the amount declared should be as close as possible to the given survey valuation amount.

This survey is applied for and paid for online, this is usually done for you by your estate agent and at present the cost of a survey is in the approx region of 10,000.00 TL (subject to change this article was  written on 15-01-2024)

It can take anywhere betwen 3 days and 3 weeks for the survey report to be completed.