FAQ
“You don’t have to be rich to own a fabulous villa in Dalyan. Anyone who owns their home can do it and make a profit.” Charles Bentley Chairman RTB
Many people dream of owning a holiday home but do nothing to realise their dream. Fear of making a mistake and losing money. Not having the confidence to take the first step or a dread of the unknown prevents many from achieving their dream and building a nice little earner and long term nest egg into their financial portfolio. .
RTB have been there, done that and got the T- Shirt. Our Chairman, Charlie Bentley has his own luxury villa in Dalyan and he is just an ordinary guy like you and I. Charlie makes you this offer “If you are really interested in owning a holiday home in Dalyan I’m on hand, before; during and after you decide to buy your property.”
When I first considered buying abroad a myriad of questions filled my head. The following are a few FAQ that you might find helpful.
Q. Who is allowed to buy property in Turkey?
A. Turkey has bilateral agreements with the following countries allowing foreigners to purchase land and property under their own name: UK, Ireland, Austria, France, Netherlands, Australia, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Israel, USA and some other southern hemisphere nations.
Q. So I’m interested in buying but how do I get started?
- Call RTB and talk about it. Benefit from our experience. It’s sensible to visit and spend time in the area you intend to buy. Be sure you like it and be confident that you would like to spend your time living there. Check things out for yourself.
- Spend time finding the home or plot on which to build your dream.
RTB will assist you every step of the way.
- We can arranging transfers from Dalaman airport ( you need to book your own flights as we are not a travel agency but we have a friendly associate at World Wide Flightline who will help you with this.) We can provide superior accommodation in one of our villas (www.dalyanjewel.com, www.pamuktarlasi.com www.beyazvillas.com) for 3 or 7 day visits. You will pay only a nominal charge for the accommodation and be chauffeur driven around Dalyan to view the available plots and villas for sale.
There is no pressure to buy and no charge will be made for the accommodation or transfers if you decide to buy.
- Our local representative will also show you some of the sights in and around Dalyan or you can go as you please. The choice is yours.
Q I am already visiting the area. How can you help me?
- Simply contact us before you leave and we will set up contacts for you. Visit our local office in Dalyan and speak with Cumali or Ramazzan Oruc. They are lovely men who will collect you at your convenience to view our land and property portfolio. As residents for the past 17 years they have a wealth of local knowledge and speak perfect English.
- If you require accommodation overnight or for longer ask and it will be provided at a nominal charge.
Q. If I see what I want in Dalyan or the surrounding area, what do I do next?
- Think about it and talk it over with your family. When you are sure you want to move onto second base a contract will be drawn up between you and RTB/Oruc developments (our contracted builder). This contract will tell you in plain English exactly what you are buying and also includes all the details and amounts about taxes and legal fees for performing the translations and searches. You will need to make a non-refundable deposit of £1000 to cover theses costs. This amount will be deducted from the total cost on completion and is NOT EXTRA.
- There are no hidden charges once you decide to sign a contract and all money is calculated in UK sterling to avoid any rate fluctuations.
Like all countries Turkey has its own bureaucracy which can be bewildering for the first time. For anyone to acquire the title deed of a property it is necessary to submit an application to the local Land Registry Office. Searches are then carried out to establish if there are any debts or inheritance claims on the land or property. Taxes are due on existing house purchase but not on new builds for a period of 5 years. Relax, RTB are with you every step of the way. We will advise you of ALL COSTS before you pay any deposit or sign any contracts.
Q. Can I have built exactly what I want?
- Within the local planning regulations the answer is YES. Dalyan is a nature conservation area and as such has certain restrictions on buildings. These work to your advantage by preserving the character and nature of the village. Buildings can only be two stories high plus a loft space and can vary from 5% of the total land space out of town to up to 30% in rare cases within the town.
- RTB and Oruc specialise in the development of high quality, luxury homes. We consult with you on the most desirable location to suit your budget and requirements and design our properties to harmonize with this stunning area of natural beauty.
Q. Who do I use for a lawyer?
- There is no need to use a lawyer or solicitor when buying property in Turkey.(The Turks don’t) However for your own peace of mind we recommend that you consult with a bilingual lawyer to advise you on any issues you feel uncertain about. RTB have two local lawyers and are happy to introduce you this will be an added cost and is at your own expense. The transfer of the Title Deed (Tapu) takes place when the documents are presented to the local Land Registry Office. An official of the Property Registry Department and both the buyer and seller need to be present to carry out the transfer, unlike the UK where a solicitor acts as a legal intermediary. If you do not wish to fly over and be present in person we can arrange for you to grant temporary `power of attorney` to a legal or trusted representative who will sign on your behalf and transfer to you at a convenient date.
- Your (Tapu) proof of ownership will carry a photo of you and is only obtained, if the buildings are under construction, when they have been completed and full monies paid. This is to protect both parties. Confused? Don’t worry; this is why you chose RTB. We are on hand to hold your hand to answer all your questions, hold your hand through every step and act on your behalf both in Dalyan and the UK.
Q What if I want to let the property?
- RTB, through Oruc Construction, provides a full after sales service including marketing, building and maintaining a website, full property management service including house, pool and garden and all transfers on your behalf through a local representative. Dalyan Villas will market the property for you and obtain bookings on your behalf.
Q. What other costs are there to owning a property abroad?
- The local council tax for rubbish removal and other services is very small. We will assist you in opening a local bank account to pay for your gas, electric and other utility bills. Generally most things in Turkey cost far less than the UK.
Q. How do I go about furnishing the property?
- If you so desire the entire property will be furnished for you by RTB/Oruc Construction. This will include lights, curtains, furniture, white electric goods and anything else you may ask for. A full list is provided detailing what is required and you can do this yourself although you will not get such good discounts on your own.
- If you wish we can provide our own specialist Interior Design Service to give your home that extra special look and feel you are looking for.
Q Can I bring furniture and other things over from the UK.
- Yes. It is possible and we can provide you with the contacts for shipping containers to Turkey but be advised that there are import Visa requirements on all items brought into the country from abroad. Certain items such as mountain bikes (£30 charge by airline) and microwaves (very expensive in Turkey) can be taken over on your flight. It is possible and we will advise you on this and any other specific request you may have.
Q. If I decide to buy land and build, how long will it take?
- It depends on when you buy. The special element of the Dalyan nature reserve prevent any building between the months of May and the end of October inside the town boundary.
- It is possible to build from plan to completion within 12 months. Some people prefer to take their time and do it over 2 years. Whatever you decide we will advise on the best option.
Q. I want to buy a property when I retire in say 4 years time. What can I do now?
- We advise you that the best option is to secure your plot of land NOW. Demand is currently driving up prices (some as much as 100% in the last 12 months) and the sooner you acquire your plot the more control you have over the final costs. Building and Labour costs are relatively cheap in comparison to Western Europe but land is rising and when Turkey joins the EU believe it will reach Spanish prices.
Q. I have heard that building standards are not as good in Turkey as the UK.
- Not so. You get what you pay for. There are properties available that have been badly constructed at cheap prices. It is hard to know if the correct depth and amount of reinforced steel has been used in the foundations if the property is already built. RTB/Oruc Construction use only the finest materials (local stone, marble and seasoned wood) and fully comply with local building inspections and regulations. RTB will monitor developments and provide you with regular reports. Photographic and written updates on your build over the internet or by post if you prefer. You are welcome to visit the site at anytime and you also have a great deal of say in the design and internal fitments.
- You do not pay the final monies until you visit the property and agree that everything is to your satisfaction.
Please note that under Turkish Law a building owner is liable for any injury which results from poor construction, negligence or misuse. Compensation can be sought from the owner as the period for the contractors liability is five years.
Q. When do I pay the full amount?
- You pay an initial `Commitment’ deposit of £1000 to engage RTB. Once you have found your property or land and agreed the detail and costs you sign a contract which details exactly what you are buying. The remaining money is paid in stages. Within 30 days the balance on the cost of the land will need to be paid to secure your investment. You pay 40% of the agreed cost to start the construction work. You pay another 40% when the roof goes on. The final payment of 20% is paid when you inspect the completed property and agree hand over Any snags will be rectified before you pay the final payment. Any changes from the agreed design that incur additional costs will be charged at cost
- RTB/Oruc are happy to accommodate minor changes during construction if we can and that any changes do not contravene the local building regulations.
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