Turkey – a good choice for 2009

Thinking of buying property abroad? Then Turkey might be a good choice. For while more than 1.2 million tourists from Britain visited Turkey in 2008, a number which is expected to double in 2009, the country is also becoming a favorite among holiday home buyers. "We believe Turkey will be this year's winner when it comes to sales of vacation homes," said several brokers to IPB-Magazine.

Av Nils Bjørnæs Foto: Camilla Kaas Stock and Kaya Homes

With its strong internal market, and the possibility of EU membership, Turkey is widely expected to escape the worst of the global downturn, and the prices of vacation homes are expected to remain low in 2009.

Some, like Davut Celik in the building company Kaya Homes in Side, actually believes that the current crisis could be good for Turkey.
"The fact that people do not trust their own banks and housing markets will create new opportunities for us. Putting money into property is always safer. There is something concrete that is there and that will not disappear. There are also many people who re-locate, and Turkey, according to international newspapers, is one of the most popular countries, "he said.

Alf Grønneflåten in the Norwegian estate agency Property-Key in Oslo also has faith in Turkey, but in view of the current economic situation, he responds more cautiously. "The market is still in shock. I only hope the crisis will not last as long as some people believe," he said to Ipb-magazine.

Many Norwegians choose to travel to the coastal areas between Antalya and Alanya, and the Norwegian pair Jan Baltzersen and Inger Johansen is certainly pleased with the apartment they bought in Side, and they even bought it unseen! "It was probably a bit daring, but we've been lucky," they say when we visit them in the apartment complex Oasis.

Another one who enjoys Turkey and that has been both lucky and clever, is 32-year-old Cecilie Heldahl Larsen from Fauske in Norway. She sells real estate, owns two hotels, a restaurant and a bar in Kemer. Now she is also building her own apartments to sell. "I love Turkey - I love the sun, the heat, the atmosphere and the people here, "she says.

As always when buying a property, especially in another country, it is vital to consult a lawyer. A local lawyer, who knows the local laws and regulations, is highly recommended. We have talked to property lawyer Sukru Enhos in Side, who guides us through the maze of Turkish law.

As usual, we'll also give you some tips when it comes to shopping, with some price examples of groceries, and of course a bit of information about Turkish history and culture.               

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