Buying Advice In Turkey On The Real Estate Legal Process
It is impossible to overstate the importance of appointing a qualified lawyer to look after your interests when you're buying a property in Turkey. When choosing a lawyer, make sure that he or she fluently speaks and writes a language that you understand and don't hesitate to ask questions.
Turkish property law is not complicated but there have been some cases of unwary investors being misled by unscrupulous sellers. The fact of the matter is that there is only one person who is entitled to sell you the property and that is the person who is named on the title deed.
No matter how tempting the offer might be, remember never sign anything without the express agreement of a qualified, Turkish-speaking lawyer or a professional real estate agent.
What to expect from your Turkish lawyer
As well as giving legal advice at each stage of the process, your lawyer will check the property registry to investigate any encumbrances or debts registered against the property. If anything untoward is discovered he will advise on how best to deal with it and whether you should, in fact, proceed at all.
When completion takes place your lawyer will lodge the title deed with the land registry and then take care of any remaining formalities such as opening accounts with local utility companies in your name and the payment of any transfer taxes.
