How to Buy an Apartment in Istanbul: A Step-by-Step Guide 2025
You're thinking about buying an apartment in Istanbul, and you don’t know how. Here is a step-by-step guide to smooth this tricky task. Just read this list and learn everything about purchasing a property in Turkey. (You can thank us later)
1- Decide Your Budget and Investment Goals:
Before jumping in you need to think about your budget and remember to be reasonable about what you can afford or finance.
Ask yourself why you are considering buying an apartment in Istanbul? For real estate investment, vacation home, to obtain Turkish Citizenship, to relocate.
2- Research the neighborhoods and Property Types:
Visit Istanbul’s neighborhoods, and ask locals what they about their neighborhoods to find the positives and negatives of each one.
Pick one to match your lifestyle, requirements, and budget. Istanbul is a big city with an Asian and European side, you need to observe the real estate market and its trends to discover which types of real estate will generate the highest potential rental income and capital appreciation.
3- Contact a reputable and experienced Real Estate agency or agent:
Research many Real Estate agencies, check their property portfolio and read their online reviews to ensure that you are dealing with a trustworthy and reputable agency.
Contact the company and tell the agent your requirements, budget, and locations you are considering for your purchase.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. After answering your questions, the Real Estate agent will send various offers and hot deals that suit your request.
4- Check the Properties offers and deals:
Examine the offers sent by the Real Estate agency by checking out the pictures and videos of the apartments then compare the prices and payment methods. After studying the offers and hot deals, choose a few options to visit and inspect in person.
5- Visit properties to suit your wants and needs:
Check the selected apartments, ask about the materials used & finishing, and learn about the amenities and faculties provided by the project. And don’t forget to request to know about the verification status of the Title deed (Tapu) and the Real Estate appraisal report. It's better to be safe than sorry.
6- Choose an apartment:
After the home inspection, and checking the Title deed status, you have a major task to do deciding which property to buy. Keep in mind that the location, type of property, price, and amenities are significant factors to consider when making the purchase decision.
7- Sign the Agreement:
After agreeing on the price with the seller or Construction Company, you need to pay a deposit fee to reserve the selected apartment. Afterward, you can sign the Real Estate Purchase agreement contract after reading it and understanding the terms and conditions. Then the lawyer will notarize the contract and prepare the legal documentation according to the terms agreed on.
8- Transfer the money:
Before transferring the payment of the property you should get a Turkish Tax Number from a local Tax office in Istanbul. With the Turkish Tax Number, you can open a Turkish Bank account to transfer the payment to the seller or construction company. The payment can be the downpayment or the full sale price of the apartment depending on the payment plan.
9- Receive the Title Deed:
After the payment is received by the construction company or seller, the process of registering the title deed will start. Also, you will need to pay the Title deed processing fee, tax, and Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (DASK). Once all the paperwork is done, you will receive the title deed (Tapu).
10- Congratulations! Now you are the proud owner of an apartment in Istanbul, Turkey.
Istanbul
Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain.
