Buying a Holiday Home in Turkey

Austin_Allegro

pickledpink wrote: »

That's very frightening, Jonbvn! It's shocking that they are allowed to build property that is dangerous. Do they build illegally - or do they not have the same building regulations that we have in the UK?

Build quality is generally very inferior to the UK and the legal system isn't all that hot either, as far as I can tell from a business contact in Turkey; though things are improving slowly and will do more if Turkey joins the EU, though that is by no means definite.

Quite frankly, I think anyone wanting to buy property anywhere at the moment, let alone somewhere like Turkey, must have a screw loose. Why buy a house that might:

1. Lose its value rapidly
2. Fall down
3. Lose its local airport
4. Be subject to some dodgy governmental land grab etc
5. Be empty most of the year

...when you can keep your money in the bank, earn interest, and use some of it to pay for a nice holiday in a hotel of your choice, thus benefitting the local economy?

Jonbvn

pickledpink wrote: »

That's very frightening, Jonbvn! It's shocking that they are allowed to build property that is dangerous. Do they build illegally - or do they not have the same building regulations that we have in the UK?

They don't build illegally per se. There are building regs, but they are not well enforced and/or there is corruption.

Some info:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3351121.stm
http://www.bennett.karoo.net/vgd/resources/ffiles/turkeyearthquake.doc

hethmar

If you want a place in the sun, have a look at the Florida repos.

rumbaba

Hello Jonbvn,

Thank you very much indeed for your most informed post.

I showed it to my husband this morning and, much as I want to buy a place out there, I felt obliged to show him the pitfalls. Needless to say he has gone off the idea totally, but I must admit I am somewhat disappointed. I like Turkey very much and the properties seem so cheap in comparison to the rest of Europe.

I need some sunshine (I suffer from arthritis) and was hoping to have a bolthole abroad where I could stay for a few months of the year.

Are there any other countries with guaranteed sunshine which are cheap, does anyone know?

Thanking you in advance.

zzzLazyDaisy

Rumbaba - your idea of a rural retreat might never have got off the ground anyway - I can only speak for the Fethiye area, but there are strict rules there preventing non-residents buying properties in the local villages. This is understandable as the foreign money would push prices up beyond the reach of local people. So tourists are mainly confined to buying in the tourist areas anyway.

Austin_Allegro

rumbaba wrote: »

Hello Jonbvn,

Thank you very much indeed for your most informed post.

I showed it to my husband this morning and, much as I want to buy a place out there, I felt obliged to show him the pitfalls. Needless to say he has gone off the idea totally, but I must admit I am somewhat disappointed. I like Turkey very much and the properties seem so cheap in comparison to the rest of Europe.

I need some sunshine (I suffer from arthritis) and was hoping to have a bolthole abroad where I could stay for a few months of the year.

Are there any other countries with guaranteed sunshine which are cheap, does anyone know?

Thanking you in advance.

Depends how cheap you mean. I would suggest Malta, Cyprus or the Algarve in Portugal. Good weather all year, with mild and dry winters. There are lots of hotels with long-term deals in places like that, even more so now the economy has slumped.

For rock bottom prices and hot weather all year you could try north Africa - Moroco, Egypt or Tunisia, though standards vary and you do tend to get harrassed by the locals.

hearts

I was thinking of North Cyprus. Some good deals there. You have to be wary of the ownership but it you buy International/Turkish Pre 74 then you will be fine.
I also took the point of a poster above. You can rent properties in these (or lots of other) locations for months at a time at good rates. You could rent and if you find something you like negotiate for future years.
Buying isn't always the best way to go. Previously when you could expect increases in the value then it was feesible but why bother now?

hethmar

You can stay in Malta in a good hotel full board for less than a £100 a week - why not do that instead and not have the worry of a year round holiday home? Check out Chevron Holidays - real bargains.

Austin_Allegro

hethmar wrote: »

You can stay in Malta in a good hotel full board for less than a £100 a week - why not do that instead and not have the worry of a year round holiday home? Check out Chevron Holidays - real bargains.

I don't know if this is true, but I've often heard it can be cheaper for elderly people to spend 3-4 months of the winter in hotels in places like Malta than pay for their heating back home; and they don't have to worry about slipping on the pavement (unless they've got p*ssed at the hotel bar that is:D) or having respiratory problems etc. They also get security, cleaning, and the company of other residents. It's certainly what I intend to do when I become an old git.

airhostess

rumbaba wrote: »

Are there any other countries with guaranteed sunshine which are cheap, does anyone know?
Thanking you in advance.

Morocco? Guaranteed sunshine and cheap, as long as you don't buy in Marrakech or Essaouira (though those areas are still cheap compared to Europe.)

Loads of low cost airlines to pick from from London - Easyjet, Ryanair and Atlas Blue. Only 3.5 hrs flight time away from London.

Stunning scenery (I could see the snow capped Atlas mountains from my terrace today!) Desert, mountains, countryside etc etc. Pomegranates 35p a kilo. What more can I say?:D