Step 1: Narrow Down City and District Before You Fly In

Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir attract the most foreign buyers but for different reasons — Istanbul for long-term capital appreciation and rental demand, Antalya for lifestyle and holiday-home use, Izmir for a quieter Aegean pace at generally lower price points. See our Istanbul districts guide for a closer look at how neighbourhoods within one city can vary enormously in price and character; deciding on a shortlist of 2-3 districts before a viewing trip makes far better use of your time than viewing broadly across an entire city.

Step 2: Viewing Trip and What to Actually Inspect

Beyond the obvious (finishes, layout, natural light), check the building's earthquake-resistance documentation if available, ask about monthly aidat (building maintenance fee) and what it covers, and visit at a different time of day than your scheduled viewing to check traffic noise and neighbourhood activity honestly. A property that looks perfect during a quiet weekday morning viewing can feel very different on a Friday evening.

Step 3: Independent Valuation Before You Negotiate

An independent appraisal (ekspertiz raporu) — required for any mortgage application and a sound idea even for a cash purchase — tells you whether the asking price is realistic for the specific building and location, not just the general district average quoted by the seller's agent. See our real estate appraisal guide for how this process works and what it typically costs.

Step 4: Negotiation and Reservation Deposit

Negotiating room varies by how long a property has been listed and current local market conditions rather than a fixed percentage rule of thumb — ask your agent directly how long the specific unit has been on the market. A reservation deposit (usually a modest, specified sum) is standard practice to take a property off the market while paperwork proceeds, but get the deposit terms and refund conditions in writing before paying, since verbal assurances alone are not enforceable.