Words of Warning …
I’ve just spent the last three months involved in Real Estate at a popular resort in Turkey. Everyday, I would hear another doomsday tale:
‘I arrived to find the gardener sleeping in my bed!’
‘God, they overcharged me!’ (£25,000 is the largest sum I heard)
‘They sold me this land but I can’t bloody build on it!’
‘I’ve got a snagging list as long as my arm … I’ve had it six months and still can’t get hold of them?’
‘They’ve disappeared!’
‘They charged me £10 for viewing’
‘They took me to view in a taxi, then charged me £50!’
‘You think that was bad, they charged me £10 a house!’
‘Can beat that. They dumped me in the middle of nowhere
and it cost a fortune to get home!!’
‘On arriving, my brand new apartment was filthy dirty
They told me to get a mop and bucket!’
‘I was glad to get out of there … I felt I was under siege.’
‘They quoted £500 for curtains … I found the same ones for £150!’
‘I received a surprise letter telling me I had to pay
£80 a month complex fee towards a Nuclear Bunker!’
‘Can you believe it… my property was sold to two other purchasers and we all turned up on the same day with the keys to move in!’
These are just a small sample of the dastardly tales I heard from naïve British buyers that had to experience the rough ride of being well and truly ripped off!
Would you like this to happen to YOU?
I am not saying that all estate agents are unscrupulous … there are many excellent ones. However, for your own safety … you must be aware that this goes on!
Unfortunately, there is a proportion of Turkish agents who spoil it for the rest of them. Basically, they see the Brits coming! So sorry to say this … but it’s true.
Turkey is an absolutely beautiful country, without a doubt. The same can be said for the natives who are world renown for their wonderful hospitality. However, there are those who have a very different mindset from me and you!
In Turkey, business is business, money is money, with the average monthly salary for a professional around £300 (What I was offered as a graduate teacher in a private school!) and non-professional £8 for a long ten hour day.
This magically turns you into the Rich Brit, ripe for the picking.
It’s like bargaining at the local bazaar… if they can squeeze an extra Lira from you, they will. And don’t forget Turkish tourist resorts have often sprouted up from nothing, with their seasonal residents coming from poor areas of Turkey.
Remember, They come to make money… Your Money!
This is a quick reality check you definitely need before going to Turkey. Yes - us Brits on holiday are extremely generous. We spend more than any other nationality in resort … and they know it! I’m not trying to paint them as snakes in the grass. The fact is, there is an element of Turkish society where making money dominates their life! I’m sure we would be the same if we had an unstable economy, expensive medical bills and so forth.
Some of you may be thinking… that’s common sense. But you’d be amazed how naïve many of us are.
Rich Brits Ropey Buying Research
Now don’t forget, I’m talking from personal experience.
For three months this year, I watched, listened and cringed:
Asking waiters, boat boys, tour sellers, hotel receptionists. A walk down the high street trying spot any old ‘Emlak’. Quick browse on the Internet
This was the sum total of research your average Brit did to spend a lifetimes savings. Huge sums of money was being dished out to unresearched property agents, Developers, builders and Joe Bloggs or should I say Mustafa Sexpot! I know we all want to jump on the overseas property bandwagon But remember -Turkey is different from Spain, France, Portugal - other popular buying destinations. They have used a bargaining system for hundreds of years and are highly trained in getting the best price possible. And in some cases, the prices asked of you, are outrageous to the locals
And don’t think, I’ll only go through a High Street, estate agent with a fancy sign and office … that will protect me. It’s not enough! In fact, all my doomsday tales came from fancy estate agents with fancy offices. The truth is estate agencies are not regulated in Turkey… anyone can open up shop. In fact, there are more rules and regulations for opening schools and stationary shops … Can you believe that!
Emlak Fever Strikes!
I’ve been flying back and for to Turkey for some years now and I can’t believe the Estate agency (emlak) boom currently taking grip. One thing about the Turks - where money is concerned they move like flash lightening! If anyone is suddenly making good dosh, you can be sure the idea will be copied, duplicated, triplicated … and before you know it you’re swamped!
Walking along main streets in popular resorts is like landing in an overseas property exhibition at the NEC! Knowing which emlak to choose is like searching for a needle in a haystack. They’ve all jumped on the property bandwagon with offices strategically placed next to favourite watering holes and hotels, ready to trap their prey. You the Rich Brit!
They’re hunting down, waiters and hotel staff to plug their agencies … with one property sale commission, being
on average, equal to a waiters whole seasons’ earnings!
Get the picture? Do you really think, Mustafa the friendly waiter, is going to give you the best advice - or suggest a mysterious Mr estate agent X, who lines his pockets with money. Yes, they deserve to earn decent money, but at the
Expense of you possibly being diddled!
Am I trying to put you off Turkey?
Certainly not!
If you use a reputable agent You will be buying into a paradise. The Turquoise Coast is one of the most dramatic stretches of seascape I’ve ever come across. And I’ve seen more than average as an ex BA Long-haul Stewardess.
It’s steeped in ancient culture, still waiting to be discovered. The food is wonderful … honey, nuts, fruit and stuffed vegetables (notice I didn’t say kebabs … that’s because Turkey has a fantastic cuisine just waiting for you to sample). And for those of you interested in eternal youth … this has got to get you thinking. I was told by many people, I dropped years off my age, in the time I was out there. Remarkable … It’s got something to do with the unusually high oxygen levels coupled with mountain spring water, golden sun rays and of course those steamy Turkish Baths. Plus having my ego stroked by numerous males certainly helped! Mustafa SexPot does come in useful sometimes!
Turkey is… the Rose
Sensual and Evocative
It’s deep, exotic and unique
No place quite like it in the World
but lots of prickly thorns
to watch out for!
