Apartments for Sale in Istanbul 2024 : The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Home

Why Istanbul?

Istanbul is a wonderful city with a booming economy. No wonder why more than 15 million people call it home. 

It is a remarkable blend of East and West with a rich history, gorgeous nature, and outstanding Sea view.

It’s hard to consider Istanbul the perfect place to start a new adventure or begin your investment journey.

Top Neighborhoods to Buy Apartments in Istanbul

• Istanbul is a large city with many diverse neighborhoods and districts. To help you out, here's a list of the best areas to invest in. Did you know that Istanbul ranked number one in 2023 for the highest real estate transactions, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute?

Use this guide to find Apartments for Sale in Istanbul

• The European Side:

1. Maslak:

Maslak is the business and financial district of Istanbul, with a central location. Everything is just minutes away from you. Maslak is more than a haven for businessmen. 

Maslak Dream offers spectacular homes, chic 5-star hotel apartments with Elegant architectural design, and top-notch facilities. Gorgeous view of the Belgrade Forest.

1. Sariyer:

A stunning location near the Bosphorus Strait and home to luxurious real estate and upscale shops & cafes. Sariyer is the image of Istanbul, its culture, delicious seafood, and rich history.

Skyland: If you are looking for luxury and investment, Skyland is your choice. One of the Tallest residential towers in Istanbul, eye-catching view of the forest. Astonishing apartments with excellent amenities and services.  

1. Kagithane:

For the last couple of years, Kagithane has undergone a huge makeover. With new developments, building new parks, renovating infrastructures, and changing the improving the image of the area. Since the opening of the new Airport metro line, Kagithane is only minutes from the airport.

Camlivad is an outstanding project with a high-end spacious apartment overlooking the green Belgrade Forest. And the nice surprise is one of the top amenities is an equestrian club.

• The Asian Side:

1. Maltepe:

Maltepe is experiencing a high demand lately. Maltepe is a well-connected area by public transportation, you can easily access the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.

It is a popular choice for families and investors. 

Luna Dragos: Luxury project overlooking the beautiful natural landscapes, the Princes' Islands

1. Uskudar:

A historical location with outstanding waterfront residences, you can find high-end homes.

A’la saklibahce: Exclusive residence with pleasing Seaview and modern finishing. 

Luxury Living: High-End Apartments for Sale in Istanbul

• Explore Premium Properties with Unmatched Amenities and Views

1. Gokturk:

A hidden gem in the European side of Istanbul, it’s hard to fall in love with Gokturk. Luxury houses and exquisite villas nestled in the mountains, overlooking the breathtaking Belgrad Forest. And don't forget Istanbul's first golf course at the country club.

 To find Apartments for Sale in Istanbul

Next Level Kemer: Forest view apartments and duplexes with deluxe finishing and dreamy balconies.

1. Zeytinburnu:

Prestigious Waterfront homes with magnificent views of the Bosphorus. Zeytinburnu offers high-end properties.

Bab Istanbul: Prestigious living experience in a modern design project that offers excellent faculties and services.

1. Malask:

High-end residences that offer an outstanding lifestyle and excellent investment plan. 

RAMS Beyond The last tower in Malask with luxurious design and finishings with a Michelin-starred restaurant and breathtaking infinity pool.

1. Atasehir:

Modern apartments with high demand, are suitable for long-term and short-term investment.

Cuento Elite 

Affordable Options: Budget-Friendly Apartments for Sale in Istanbul

• Apartments for Sale in Istanbul That Won’t Break the Bank

1. Basin Express:

Basin Express is a business and industrial hub of Istanbul. The area is undergoing rapid development and expansion. You can easily find a 2+1 apartment with excellent finishing without spending a lot of money.

AS Concept
The AS Concept project offers modern, spacious apartments with high-quality finishes. Puls affordable price with easy installments.

1. Eyup:

One of the Biggest distinct of Istanbul, everything is within your reach. Eyup Has many schools, universities, and malls. Plus is well connected to a network of buses and meteors.

  Atilgan Towers: Family-friendly apartments with modern architecture, with reasonable prices compared to the surrounding area.

Investment Opportunities in Istanbul Real Estate

• Why Now is the Perfect Time to Invest in apartments for Sale in Istanbul

Buying a property in Istanbul is considered a smart decision especially if you purchase at the right location. 1+1 Apartments are recommended as the best type of property for investment.

The average rental income in Istanbul is around 6 - 7 %, a juicy percentage for smart investors. 

Plus, you cannot forget The Turkish citizenship by investment program, an attractive opportunity and advantage.  

1. Topkapi: A neighborhood infused with history and has a strategic location at the heart of Istanbul. Making it hot among investors who are looking for high ROI.

Topkapi 29 Family-oriented prestigious project in the historical heart of Istanbul.  History meets modern living. 

1. Kagithane:

Up-and-coming area! Great investment opportunities Vibrant energy, close to everything. Perfect to find Apartments for Sale in Istanbul

Istova Green Modern finish residential units with outstanding forest view

1. Besiktas:

Unique views of the Bosphorus and the central location of Istanbul. Great lifestyle, a perfect location to invest.

Referans Beşiktaş  Beautiful apartments and duplexes with Bosphorus views in the heart of Beşiktaş.

New Developments and Upcoming Projects

• Stay Ahead of the Curve with the Latest Real Estate Trends . Especially Apartments for Sale in Istanbul

1. Sea Pearl: Lavish apartments with exceptional location on the coast of the Marmara Sea. With state of art amenities. Don’t miss this chance.
2.  Referans Gokturk: Fancy residential complex with large terraces, with beautiful greenery. Located at Gokturk

Step-by-Step Guide to Buying an Apartment in Istanbul

Set your budget and Investment target:

Before starting the process of looking for Real Estate to purchase, you need:

• A clear Budget and financing plan.
• Why you are buying for (Investment, vacation home, or relocating)

Based on those two factors you can create your list of requirements.

Research the neighborhoods:

You should explore Istanbul’s neighborhoods, talk to locals, and ask them what they like and dislike about their neighborhood. This simple task will help you figure out which neighborhood to consider.
Choose one that matches your requirements, lifestyle, and budget. 

To know where to find Apartments for Sale in Istanbul

Consult an experienced Real Estate agency:

Tell the agency what you are looking for. Provide them with your requirements and ask them to prepare a list of suitable offers. Don’t forget to mention why you are buying the apartment. Remember that real estate agents can be a great assist. Finding Apartments for Sale in Istanbul isn't an easy task, use all the help. 

 Check the offers:

Study the offers sent by the Real Estate agency. Ask questions about the conditions of the properties before deciding what offers to shortlist. 

Visit the shortlist:

Examine the shortlisted apartments, and pay attention to materials used in construction Check the quality of the finishes. Ask about what amenities are offered by the project.

Don’t forget to see the Title deed (Tapu).

Choose an apartment:

Buying real estate in Istanbul isn’t an easy task. So take your time and think about the location, price, quality, and amenities of the property. 

Sign the Agreement:

After agreeing on the price with the Construction Company, you need to pay a deposit fee to reserve the selected apartment. 

Then, sign the Real Estate Purchase agreement contract after reading it. Once everything is finalized the lawyer will notarize the contract and prepare the legal documentation according to the terms agreed on.

Transfer the money:

The first thing to do is to get a Turkish Tax Number from a local Tax office in Istanbul. 

With it, you need to open a Turkish Bank account to transfer the payment to the seller or construction company.

Receive the Title Deed:

After the payment is received by the construction company or seller. 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).

Congratulations! Now you are the proud owner of an apartment in Istanbul.

Understanding the Legal Aspects of Buying Property in Istanbul

• Essential Information on Laws, Taxes, and Regulations:

Taxes & Fees:

• You should always keep track of what is required of you to pay, to buy an apartment in Istanbul:
• Property tax
• Title deed fees
• Processing fees
• Notary Fees
• Appraisal report fees
• Regulations:
  • You need to get Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (DASK) to receive the Title Deed, and connect water and electricity to the apartment. Basically, without it your apartment is unlivable.
  • If you are looking to live at your bought residence, you need to make sure it is outside the closed zones. You cannot obtain a residency permit if the house is in a closed zone such as Faith.
  • However, if you are obtaining the Turkish Citizenship Through investment, feel free to buy anywhere you want.
  • Foreigner investors can receive tax exemptions if they don’t hold a residency permit

The Istanbul Lifestyle: What to Expect

• Embrace the Culture, Cuisine, and Vibrancy of This Historic City

Culture:

Turks are famous for their hospitality and warm welcome to foreigners. Discover the unique nightlife of Istanbul and the cozy addition to picnics. To have a wonderful life in Istanbul you need to learn basic words, trust me it will improve your experience.

Cuisine:

• One of the best things about Istanbul is the food scene of the city.

The diverse culture of Istanbul brings a lot of different cuisines to the area. You can have traditional, seafood, fast food, sushi, Italian, and Middle Eastern all in one place. 

And, the famous San Sebastian cheesecake. P.S. You need to try it, it’s a must.

The bottom line is buying a property in Turkey is a good idea