Due diligence, before enthusiasm
Every property we present has passed through the same review. These are the checks a foreign buyer should complete in Türkiye — whether they work with us or not.
The checks
- 01
Title deed (Tapu) search
Confirm the seller actually owns what is being sold, that the deed type matches the property, and that the records show no surprises.
- 02
Liens, mortgages and debts
Outstanding mortgages, court orders, unpaid utility or building-management debts can attach to the property. They must be cleared or priced in before purchase.
- 03
Licensed valuation report
An independent, licensed valuation — required for citizenship files and strongly advisable for every purchase — protects against overpaying and against files that fail at the threshold.
- 04
Occupancy permit (İskan)
A building without a valid occupancy permit can carry legal and practical complications. Its absence must be understood, not discovered after completion.
- 05
Zoning and structural review
What is permitted on the plot, what was actually built, and whether the two match — particularly relevant in a city with Istanbul's seismic reality.
- 06
Developer review
For off-plan purchases: the developer's track record, financial position and previous deliveries matter more than the showroom.
- 07
Independent licensed counsel
A lawyer who represents you — not the seller, not the developer, not us — reviews the contract before signature. We coordinate this; we do not replace it.
A note on off-plan purchases
Off-plan can be excellent value, and it is where most of the horror stories live. The discount for buying early is compensation for real risk: delays, specification changes, and developer insolvency. We recommend off-plan only when the developer's record justifies it, and we say no to our own clients when it does not.
Have a property you want reviewed?
Send us the details. We will tell you what we would check — and what we find.