For lovers of Bodrum, owning a house here is a good reason to come back at every opportunity for as the Fisherman of Halicarnassos said, “Entering the town of Bodrum from Yokusbasi, no one is ever able to foresee that leaving this town will be such an impossible thing to do.”
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You may prefer a refurbished original stone house or a newly built villa preserving the architectural features with the whitewashed silhouette of the town. Modern techniques such as’air conditioning, central heating, insulation, and doubleglazing are used for both types of houses.
Local materials such as subterranean lime and wood are still preferred to suit the climate the lime is used both as a paint and a natural insulator, and wood window frames and doors help the house stay cool by allowing it to breathe and letting in less heat.
Due to the mild climate, people in Bodrum spend time outside during most of the year and the terraces and gardens are an indispensable part of a typical house. A pergola, a spreading mulberry tree, or a grapevine climbing across the top of your house provides welcome shade from the sun. Annual maintenance and utility costs are relatively low. Knowledge about local customs is a bonus. Many people choose to rent a property before making the final decision about living here. Services for interior decoration and maintenance are developing, so your house can be expertly looked after when you’re away.
Being a house owner in Turkey is not limited to Turkish citizens, but there are areas where foreigners cannot buy on the Peninsula, stay clear of them and only buy where you can have your name on the deed. There is an Association of Real Estate Agents in Bodrum, where help can be sought and complaints will be investigated.
3% is the legal commission sought by the agent from both the buyer and seller. However, a potential buyer has the right to contact the owner directly without going through an agent. In both cases, it is recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified lawyer who speaks your language as you will need help checking all the paperwork involved regarding such things as the residential right of the house (iskan) and the deed (tapu).
When you decide on buying a piece of land or property, a percentage of the whole amount may be paid when the paperwork starts, and the remainder should be paid on completion of the necessary papers. As a foreigner, this process could take three months as your papers will be investigated by the Turkish authorities. www.tkgm.gov.tr is the website for the Deed and Survey Office in Turkey.
Visit on Foreign Affairs for lots of useful information, property location and reciprocal law. Always use a lawyer when Buying Property and if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be prepared to be patient!