LEGAL INFORMATION

First and foremost you will need a solicitor. Some people have gone it alone, but we do not advise it. Remember, your solicitor will be working on your behalf and for no other party. Most contracts are standard and are not over complicated; they will show the price you will pay for the property and any staged payments that are to be agreed. Provisions should be made for any problems that may occur on either side that may prevent the sale from going through, usually these take the form of financial strictures.

It is normal practise to give the solicitor power of attorney, which precludes your having to travel backwards and forwards to sign papers, he or she will conduct all necessary searches and make sure there are no restrictions on the land or the title. This normally takes 3-4 days.

You should open a Turkish bank account, an easy procedure, which also entails getting a tax number which you will need to complete your purchase. This takes about 2 minutes on production of your passport at the council offices.

We also advise making a will so that your property can be inherited by the person(s) of your choice. In Turkish law this may not necessarily happen without one.