Hilton Hotels Corporation has revealed that Turkey is its most successful international development market with the international hotel chain set to double its Turkish estate over the next 2 years, following the signing of 11 new hotel contracts in 10 months.

“We have made no secret of our ambitions to expand rapidly in Turkey and make a significant impact on the Turkish hotel market in a relatively short space of time,” explains Patrick Fitzgibbon, Vice President Development, Europe & Africa at Hilton Hotels Corporation.

The company has earmarked Turkey as a key market for growth and intends to open 40 hotels over the next five years.

“Hilton’s announcement is a vote of confidence in Turkey as an investment location, with the country’s rapidly growing tourist industry and dynamic economy creating huge opportunity for international investors,” says Dominic Whiting, editor of the http://www.buyingin.co.uk  Buying in Turkey guide.

As part of their expansion,  Hilton announced earlier this year the opening of a €100 million golf and spa resort near Dalaman, a rapidly developing tourist area on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. The 384-room Hilton Dalaman   Golf Resort & Spa, located on the Blue Flag-awarded beach at Sarigerme, 8 miles from Dalaman International Airport, will boast its own  spa complex and 18-hole golf course . Due to open in mid-2009, the high-profile resort is causing significant interest from property investors in the Dalaman region, which boasts several excellent beaches, white water rafting, thermal hot springs and three large marinas at Gocek. Low-cost airline Easyjet began regular flights to Dalaman in March 2008 improving air access from the UK.

“Dalaman’s unspoilt scenery and the Turkish government’s long-standing tourist development plans for the area have been attracting property buyers for several years, however, rapid on-the-ground progress with the resort is encouraging a lot of interest,” says Dominic Whiting.

“Local prices are reacting, with rises being announced by several local developers. Despite this, it is still possible to buy a high-quality villa overlooking the beach and golf course for under £120,000, or an apartment nearby for under £50,000, which represents amazing value for money and an excellent investment opportunity.”

For more information about property in Dalaman contact the Buying in Turkey Collection, Tel 0845 351 3551, www.buyingin.co.uk

By Dominic Whiting

Whether you are planning to live permanently, or only spend lengthy holidays in the country, medical care is top of the list of concerns for many British property buyers in Turkey. However, there is no reason to worry, with many people actually travelling to the country from Britain to take advantage of the high quality health services on offer.

Medical care in medical centres and hospital in Turkey is provided by board-certified physicians, many of who have previously trained in top U.S. or European medical programs.

The quality of care is equal, and in many cases far superior, to that available in the UK. Most doctors speak English fluently, with private hospitals in the tourist areas having many English speaking staff.

The cost of medical care is lower than in the UK due to the lower cost of living, lower staff and doctor’s fees and cheaper medication. In addition, the cost of medical care is lower because there is significantly less administration and paperwork. The vast majority of private patients in Turkey pay the doctor or medical centre directly. Unlike the UK, there is no administrative paperwork associated with insurance claims or approval of care for private patients in these countries.

The cost of medication and treatment, including dentistry, is typically about half the price of the UK and “medical tourism” is a growing trend with patients travelling from the UK and Western Europe in increasing numbers for dentistry, fertility treatment, cosmetic surgery and other surgical and medical treatments.

There are large private hospitals with excellent facilities in the following resorts/towns: Istanbul, Izmir, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Mugla, Fethiye, Antalya and Alanya. Other resorts will have state hospitals, private clinics and doctors, which provide emergency care, and treatment for minor injuries and routine ailments.

Chemists, eczane in Turkish, are also trained to treat the most common ailments and dispense medicine, many of which are available over the counter without a prescription. 

Despite the low cost of high-quality private medical care in Turkey visitors and longer-term residents are advised to take out medical insurance. Health cover will usually form part of a travel insurance package. If you travel regularly then it is more cost effective to get an annual policy.

For permanent or long-term residents medical insurance can be arranged through an international insurer or broker specialising in expatriate policies, or through a Turkish insurance company.

International policies typically offer 3 levels of cover, which will include in-patient/day care and emergency repatriation to the UK, along with out-patient care, specialist treatment, dentistry and maternity care, depending on the level of cover.

Annual premiums for a 40 year-old couple will typically range from £1,320-£4,560 depending on the level of cover and the insurer.

Medical cover through a Turkish insurance company is cheaper and will typically cover all hospital treatment and a limited number of doctor’s consultations each year. Out patient care and medication can also be included for a higher premium. Emergency repatriation to the UK will be extra.

Annual premiums for a 40 year-old and a 60 year-old couple start from £750 and £1,000 respectively. Premiums can generally be paid in 5 or 6 monthly instalments.

A quote from a leading Turkish insurer such as Anadolu Sigorta or Yapi Kredi can be organised while you are in Turkey by Buying in Turkey, www.buyingin.co.uk

It is important to remember that under current regulations British citizens living outside Britain for more than 3 months are no longer eligible for free NHS treatment. For this reason many people relocating to Turkey keep a base in the UK which they use for part of the year; or simply retain a postal address at a friend or relative’s address.

Dominic Whiting is the editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, www.buyingin.co.uk .

Download a free PDF version of the www.buyingin.co.uk/about-us#download Buying in Turkey guide now.

Other useful contacts

Medibroker, Tel: 0191 297 2411,  www.medibroker.com BUPA International, Tel: 01273 208181, www.bupa-intl.com

An amendment is planned in connection with the liability of transforming the right of access to the ownership of the flat. On the basis of this amendment, the 1000 TL fine for those who have not completed the formalities for ownership by the end of November will be annulled. For new buildings, the ownership will be initiated and will be obligatory. By the initiation of formalities involved, it is intended to “reduce the paperwork and bureaucracy, to lighten the load of the citizens and to check the financial losses by updating the registration and maps of the title deeds.”

The right of access during the construction of a building covers “the right to add another story on top of the building”. On the other hand, the ownership is recognized for buildings where construction is completed and the permit is obtained for its use. To transform the right of access to ownership, certain formalities are involved, such as obtaining municipal permission to move in (document for usage of the building), the application for declaration of alteration in the category by the management of cadastral survey,.obligatory insurance against earthquakes, and the document stating that all taxes are paid in line with the Law on Expenditures.

The Law on Condominiums was amended in 2007 whereby for buildings with right of access and the document for its use obtained prior to the date the law was enforced, it was obligatory to acquire the ownership within two years. The possessors of the right of access failing to do this were to be subjected to a fine of 1000 TL each.

With the new amendment in the Law of Condominium, this is cancelled. In the justification for the draft law, the reason for this cancellation is set for as follows:

“The new regulations are for the purpose of ensuring that the registration of the title deeds are updated and a certain amount of financial loses is avoided. At the same time, in case the purpose and the amendments in the law are not clear enough for the public, and, despite their good will, our citizens who are unable to contact all the owners in the condominium may be subject to an administrative fine for their failure to obtain the required ownership, which may lead to considerable panic and uneasiness among the people, it is intended to cancel collecting administrative financial fines”.

Facts
$2 billion investment in Turkish real estate in 2006
17,000 British property owners
30 million tourists by 2010 (official forecast)
10-15% price rises expected in 2007

In the last five years Turkey has been transformed from a fringe destination for adventurous buyers to one of the most popular emerging property markets. Over $2 billion was invested in Turkish real estate from abroad last year with this figure expected to double in 2007. According to official statistics there are over 17,000 British-owned properties in the country, up from just 3,000 in 2003. All the things that make Turkey such a good holiday destination – like the Mediterranean climate, beautiful scenery, friendly people and excellent value for money – have encouraged unprecedented interest from holiday home buyers and retirees. While investors are attracted by the potential for capital growth as the country develops and moves towards greater integration with Europe.

“The affordability of Turkish property, with prices significantly lower than established markets such as Spain, is a major attraction,” says Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide (www.buyinginguides.info). “Apartments are available in the coastal resorts from as little as £35,000 and villas from £65,000.”

Massive investment in infrastructure and leisure projects, part of the Turkish government’s ambitious plans to double the number of tourist visitors by 2010, are also increasing the country’s appeal and pushing up property values, with annual price increases of 10-25% expected in the main resorts.

Foreign buyers can buy freehold property and land within municipal areas – which means in and around all the resorts, towns and cities. However, since a change in the law in 2006, foreigners can’t purchase in rural areas and there are some restricted military areas too.

Most properties in the coastal areas are used as holiday homes,
although a growing number of people are choosing to
relocate permanently to Turkey, tempted by the quality of life
and low cost of living. Some holiday homes are rented-out when
not in use, but the growth of the holiday rental market
has been restricted by a lack of cheap, year-round flights and the dominance of the package holiday industry. The eventual arrival of low-cost flights to the coastal airports will boost the rental market.

There has been a dramatic improvement in the quality and choice of property available in Turkey. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, the best developers now offer cutting edge design, lots of imaginative features and excellent facilities. However, these improvements are not universal, so shop around.

“Don’t be blinded by the bottom line – a more expensive property may be larger, better located or have better facilities, and ultimately make much a better investment. Also, beware of rental guarantees. Unless the developer has an agreement with a holiday company, this rental income may simply be added onto the sale price,” advises Dominic Whiting.

Where to buy

Foreign buyers are concentrated along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts and particularly in the largest resorts of Kusadasi, Altinkum, Bodrum, Fethiye and Alanya. Aside from these property hot spots there are a string of lesser-known areas to recommend.

Designated a ‘Tourism Development Area’ by the Turkish government, Dalaman is a small town surrounded by unspoilt forested mountains and long sandy beaches, with a golf course under construction and the marinas of Gocek, Turkey’s main yachting centre, just a short drive away. Dalaman airport has recently been expanded providing easy year-round access from the UK.

“Dalaman has started to attract a lot of interest from property buyers and prices have risen rapidly, though they are still below neighbouring resorts,” comments Dominic Whiting. “The government-led development plans for the area are very exciting and should really benefit the local property market.”

The pick of the area’s property is just 15 minutes from the airport and town, where developer Curbanoglu (Tel: 0845 355 5625, www.curbanoglu.co.uk) are offering villas, apartments and plots of land in the beautiful and secluded area of Akkaya. Prices range from £79,000-£159,000 for a villa, or from £55,000 for an apartment, and all properties have stunning lake and mountain views.

Largely unknown to foreign tourists and property buyers, the Aegean resort of Cesme has great beaches, three marinas and lots of restaurants and bars open in summer when it is popular with Turkish holidaymakers. The city of Izmir, which has an airport with direct flights to the UK, is only an hour away and there are ferry services from Cesme harbour to the Greek island of Chios and Italian ports. The area has a wide selection of property, with a semi-detached three-bedroom villa costing from £85,000-£130,000; and two-bedroom apartments available from £55,000-£75,000.

“Cesme is a charming and authentic Turkish coastal town which is really popular with Turks, so the property market is booming,” explains Dominic Whiting. “It is an ideal place to buy if you want to be surrounded by the local culture.”

For more information about where to buy in Turkey get the Buying in Turkey guide available online at www.buyinginguides.info and Amazon.co.uk. Or contact a Buying in Turkey property advisor for a free consultation on Tel: 0845 351 3551, www.buyingin.co.uk

Alternatively, you can now read the online edition of Buying in Turkey for free.

Thoroughly check all the project details

Compare closely with other projects in the area

Ask for references from existing clients and visit an existing development for a look around

Have the sales contract checked by a solicitor

Don’t pay anything until a contract is in place

Visit the site yourself for a good look around

Check the building progress regularly

Inspect the property before making final payment

Buying off-plan is increasingly popular in Turkey, but as well as providing certain benefits, there are potential risks that buyers should be aware of.

As the name suggests, buying off-plan involves making a commitment to buy a property that has yet to be built. Selling property this way reduces the investment required by a developer to get a project started. This advantage is passed on to the buyer in the form of a discounted price, often significantly below the market value of a similar completed property.

“The buyer also benefits from any increase in property values during the building period, which can be significant in a rapidly developing market like Turkey’s,” comments Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide.

The decision to buy off-plan is based on information provided by the developer or estate agent. This should include details of the location; a site and floor plan; building specifications and information about the materials to be used, communal facilities and prices. There should also be a construction and payment schedule. Carefully compare the project details with other developments in the area. Some companies include balconies, and even internal walls, when calculating the size of a property, so clarify this before making comparisons.

“It is a very good idea to visit the site in person to check the surroundings before going ahead,” says Dominic Whiting. “The visuals supplied by developer can be rather misleading.”

Once the buyer has decided to go ahead a property is secured by paying a reservation fee, typically £500-£2,500, and signing a contract. Do not hand over any money without having a contract in place.

“As with any contract, it is wise to have an independent Turkish solicitor check the document before signing,” advises Dominic Whiting. “They will also check that the developer has authority to build on the land and that all the building permissions are in place. You should also remind them to check the service charges when the property is completed.”

Payment for an off-plan property is usually in installments due on dates specified in the contract or linked to the building process itself. This second method gives the buyer security, allowing them to withhold payment if work has not been completed as specified in the contract. On completion, it is a good idea to personally inspect the property before releasing the final payment. As an incentive to finish on time some developers include a penalty clause, with payments made to the purchaser if completion is delayed. By law construction companies must give a 5-year guarantee on materials in Turkey.

Title deeds are generally issued when the property is completed, however, foreign buyers must apply for permission to purchase from the military authorities. This is usually only a

Wherever you plan to buy off-plan in Turkey you should opt for a developer that has completed several similar developments, and, if possible, visit them for a look around and to check on the quality of the building.

“While you are there you may also be able to have a chat with one of the owners to make sure they are happy with everything,” suggests Dominic Whiting of the Buying in Turkey guide. “You can also ask the developer for references from previous clients and check whether they are registered with the local chamber of commerce. Although these aren’t guarantees, they do give an indication that the company is reputable.”

For more information about Turkish property get the Buying in Turkey guide
http://www.buyinginguides.info/ please add details
http://www.buyinginguides.info/

Hot Off-plan Properties

For details of more off-plan properties in Turkey contact one of the Buying in Turkey guide’s property advisors for a free consultation on Tel: 0845 351 3551,
www.buyingin.co.uk

At A Glance:
·        Old buildings are rare in many areas
·        Have the property checked by a local builder
·        Get a solicitor to investigate the title
·        Check if the building is subject to any conservation or building controls

Older houses are thin on the ground in the Turkish resorts, but would-be renovators need not despair, as there are some historic gems to be found – if you know where to look.
“Traditional stone and timber houses are expensive to maintain and without any official protection until comparatively recently, many old buildings were demolished or left to fall down,” says Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, www.buyinginguides.info . “But luckily there are some exceptions where historic buildings survive in large numbers.”
Taking a stroll down the narrow lanes of Antalya’s old town is like walking back in time. Tucked within the historic walls and besieged by a modern city of apartment blocks, many of the graceful Ottoman mansions, or konaklar, have been beautifully restored and are now boutique hotels and guesthouses. A few houses still lie in disrepair, though prices are steep.
Even more expensive are the waterside houses, or yalı, on the Bosphorus in Istanbul – but these are highly sought after and prices tags run into seven figures. Old apartments in the trendy inner-city areas of Beyoglu or Galata are more affordable, with prices from £75,000 for a two-bedroom flat in a 19th century block. Most have high-ceilings and many retained charming original features like original ironwork or tiles.
For an affordable renovation project check out the Aegean town of Ayvalık. A Greek town until 1923, when the residents were forced to leave for Greece, the cobbled streets are lined with atmospheric stone town-houses.
“Some have already been restored, though many more lie in varying stages of dereliction. Prices start from £25,000 for a small house in need of complete renovation; while newly completed properties fetch £50,000-£100,000,” says Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide.
   The inhabitants of Cappadocia in central Turkey traditionally lived in cave houses burrowed from the region’s soft volcanic rock. “The Cappadocian cave dwellings are like something out of a fantasy novel, like Hobbit houses – they make really atmospheric homes, which benefit from fantastic natural insulation too,” says Dominic Whiting.  “Renovated cave homes fetch up to £100,000 in the most sought-after villages, like Goreme, though you can still pick-up a wreck for less than £20,000 in an off-the-beaten-track village.”
  Before proceeding with the purchase of an old property in Turkey have a builder or structural engineer check the building and quote for any renovation work. Despite low labour and material costs, even renovating in Turkey can get expensive. Houses over a certain age with almost certainly need complete re-wiring and re-plumbing and major structural work is also not unusual. It is essential to get a solicitor to check the title and whether the house is in a conservation area, or sit alanı. In these areas of archaeological, environmental or historic importance there are strict controls on any kind of building or renovation work. Your plans may have to be passed by the Çevre Koruma Kurumu, the government department that manages officially protected areas, as well as the local planning committee.
  For more information about where to buy in Turkey get the Buying in Turkey guide available online at www.buyinginguides.info and Amazon.co.uk. Or contact a Buying in Turkey property advisor for a free consultation on Tel: 0845 351 3551, www.buyingin.co.uk 
Alternatively, you can now read the http://www.buyinginguides.info/virtualBook.asp?id=bit07,03 online edition of Buying in Turkey for free.

For culture-vultures there is an archaeological museum in the castle, along with several galleries and a summer program of concerts and performances. The area is an important yachting centre; while the Greek island of Kos is just a short ferry ride away and a new terminal for cruise-liners was opened last year.

There are several excellent private hospitals in the town, which is a plus for both permanent residents and visitors, and there are supermarkets, furniture outlets and DIY stores, so you can find everything you need for your new property locally. The resort’s international airport, which is 20 minutes from the town centre, is well served by charter flights in season, making access from the UK easy.

“Beyond the town itself, the Bodrum peninsular is ringed by a series of smaller, quite distinct resorts,” says Dominic Whiting. “There are good beaches and new marinas at Turgutreis and Yalikavak, with two new golf courses in the area too.”

Renowned for its bougainvillea-splashed sugar-cube houses, Bodrum is very popular with both foreign and Turkish buyers and there is an excellent choice of property.

“Local planning controls limit the height of building but there has been a lot of development – some would say over-development- in recent years,” says Dominic Whiting. “This makes choosing a decent quality property in a good location essential if you intend to rent or resell. Avoid the cheaper re-sale properties which are often very poor quality and buy from a well-established company with a proven track record of sales to foreigners.”

Apartments on the Bodrum peninsular typically range from £60,000-£90,000 for two-bedrooms. The village of Gumusluk with its small beach, harbourside fish restaurants and pretty surroundings is very popular with buyers. Prices start from £70,000 for a good quality new-build flat with two-bedrooms. For example, local developer Harmony Homes ( Tel: 0845 401 1111, www.harmonybodrum.co.uk ) have two-bedroom apartments with sea views ready to move into for £78,000 and £83,000.

Neighbouring Yalikavak has a wide selection of property from apartments and villas on complexes to luxury mansions. The sea-front promenade and town centre have been sensitively redeveloped and the local marina adds to the resort’s appeal. Many properties have sea views and local prices have risen sharply on the back of strong demand.  Harmony Homes ( Tel: 0845 401 1111, www.harmonybodrum.co.uk ) have two-bedroom apartments at their 14-unit Beach Park, which is just 100 metres from a sandy beach, available from £86,000. Three-bedroom villas in the area typically cost from £120,000-£175,000. Larger, more luxurious places are available in Yalikavak, Gundogan and Golturkbuku, which is favoured by the Turkish jet-set.

Several large developments are underway in Tuzla near the airport and new golf courses, with one-bedroom apartments available off-plan from under £35,000 or villas from £100,000. Most of the developments have good on-site facilities, which is important as Bodrum town is a 15-minute drive away.

For more information about Turkish property get the Buying in Turkey guide online at www.buyinginguides.info or Amazon.co.uk; or from good bookshops. Alternatively, for free advice about buying in Bodrum or elsewhere in Turkey contact a Buying in Turkey advisor: Tel 0845 351 3551, www.buyingin.co.uk

Bodrum Property Highlights

Beach Park, Yalikavak

A small development of 14 two- and three-bedroom apartments set in gardens with a communal swimming. Just 100 metres from the sea front via a walkway, these apartments have sea or gardens views and will make ideal holiday or rental apartments. Prices are £86,000 for two-bedrooms or £99,000 for the three-bedroom apartments, which includes air-conditioning units and a fitted kitchen with granite worktops. Harmony Homes, Tel: 0845 401 1111, www.harmonybodrum.co.uk 

Dolphin Apartments, Gumusluk

Two-bedroom apartments with views across the Aegean to the Greek island of Kalimnos on a development of 10 units set in a large garden with communal swimming pool. Prices are £78,000 for ground floor or £83,000 for first floor apartments, which includes air-conditioning units and a fitted kitchen. Harmony Homes, Tel: 0845 401 1111, www.harmonybodrum.co.uk

Dream Village, Tuzla

A choice of one and two-bedroom apartments, duplexes and villas with private gardens and swimming pools on a complex with fitness centre, children’s play area, communal outdoor and heated indoor swimming pools set in large landscaped gardens. The properties have been careful designed and incorporate traditional architectural features. Conveniently close to the golf courses and airport, the apartments cost 49,000-£69,000 and the villas £109,000. Contact Harmony Homes, Tel: 0845 401 1111, www.harmonybodrum.co.uk

For more Bodrum property advice and recommendations call a Buying in Turkey advisor for a free consultation: Tel 0845 351 3551, www.buyingin.co.uk

When David Mansfield saw the view from the half-built concrete shell on a mountainside in Akkaya near the Turkish town of Dalaman, his mind was instantly made up.

“There was no contest with the other properties I had seen – the setting was spectacular. I did give myself a few hours to think before paying the reservation fee though,” says Mansfield, an insurance broker from Battersea in London.

He had initially looked at property in Altinkum and Bodrum but found the resorts too commecialised . “Altinkum in particular was like a little England by the sea.

Then a friend introduced me to a developer in Dalaman.”

One of five ‘Tourism Development Regions’ at the centre of the Turkish government’s ambitious plans to increase tourist numbers by almost 50% to 30 million visitors a year by 2010, Dalaman has attracted increasing attention from international investors. A golf course is due for completion in 2008 at Sarigerme, 12 km south of the town, with up to six more courses, along with 70,000 new hotel beds and a marina envisaged by the government master plan. A new road tunnel on the main coastal highway opened last year bringing the upmarket yachting centre of Gocek within 10 minutes drive. Dalaman airport, the country’s third busiest and the gateway for package tourists heading to resorts along Turkey’s south west coast, also has a new $150 million international  terminal.

However, despite the grand plans, Dalaman remains a down-to-earth Turkish market town. Many locals still drive tractors and although it won’t win any prizes for civic architecture, the main street is bustling year-round. The area’s unspoilt countryside and beaches, along with property values significantly lower than the main Turkish holiday centres and the promise of sustained price increases as the local development plans unfold, have attracted a growing number of foreign, mainly British, buyers in recent years.

“The airport is so close, there is lots to do and we like the fact that the area isn’t so touristy, though it won’t be to everyone’s taste,” says Jane Trent, a secondary school behaviour co-ordinator from Chichester. She bought a three-bedroom apartment 10 minutes walk from the centre of town with her parents, Wendy and Fred, for £54,000 in 2006. “It is an up-and-coming area but we are planning for the long-term and have just bought a villa  nearby where my parents will retire next year.”

Fifteen minutes drive from the town centre at the end of a rocky track, Akkaya sits on a pine-forested mountainside overlooking a jade green lake. The setting is secluded and peaceful, with only the sound of cicadas filling the warm air.

“This land has been in our family for generations,” explains Kemal Ilhan, director of Curbanoglu, the company behind the development of Akkaya. “It has been my father’s dream for many years to create a year-round holiday and residential community here.”

Established in 1980 to build villas for pioneering German buyers, Curbanoglu has grown into one of Dalaman’s largest developers with over 1,600 completed properties – built mainly for the British market in the last 8 years. Akkaya is their most ambitious project yet, with six separate developments, including a newly released complex of 33 two-bedroom apartments, Akkaya Garden, and over a dozen bespoke villas dotting the mountainside. A restaurant and bar occupying shady wooden platforms and terraces beside a rushing stream will open in October, and will be joined by shops, a communal pool, tennis courts and an on-site doctor next year.

“We want Akkaya to keep its atmosphere and natural beauty but to have all the facilities required by its residents. Zoning laws limit building to 15% of the area and the surrounding mountains are state-owned forestland, making over-development impossible,” explains Ihan.

Akkaya has clearly worked its magic on Mansfield. He plans to use his property, a three-bedroom villa with private pool, which cost him £159,000, for several holidays each year. A keen sailor, he has bought himself a boat, which is moored in Gocek. He has also bought a second villa in Akkaya– a three-bedroom semi-detached house on the Lakeside Villas complex, due for completion this winter.

“I’ve bought it to let out and as an investment,” comments Mansfield. “I have fallen in love with the area, but the development plans are very exciting too.”

Useful Contacts

For details about property in Akkaya  and Dalaman contact Curbanoglu, Tel: 0845 355 5625, www.curbanoglu.co.uk

Dominic Whiting is the editor of the Buying in Turkey property guide, buy online at www.buyinginguides.info or Amazon.co.uk. For a free consultation with a Buying In Turkey property adviser call Tel: 0845 351 3551, or visit www.buyingin.co.uk

Due to the lower cost of living, lower staff and doctor’s fees and cheaper medication, the cost of medical care, including dentistry, is typically about half the price of the UK. However, despite the lower costs, it is still advisable to take out medical insurance, which can be arranged through an international insurer or broker specialising in expatriate policies, or through a Turkish insurance company.
International policies typically offer 3 levels of cover, which will include in-patient/day care and emergency repatriation to the UK, along with out-patient care, specialist treatment, dentistry and maternity care, depending on the level of cover.
Medical cover through a Turkish insurance company is cheaper and will typically cover all hospital treatment and a limited number of doctor’s consultations each year. Out patient care and medication can also be included for a higher premium. Emergency repatriation to the UK will be extra. As a rough guide, annual premiums for a 50 year-old and a 60 year-old couple start from £850 and £1,000 respectively. Premiums can generally be paid in 5 or 6 monthly instalments.
The warm, sunny climate, fresh food and low cost of living in Turkey add up to a quality of life that is far superior to that in the UK. Improving air access from the UK – Easyjet is just one of several low-cost airlines to start services – make it easy for friends and family to visit regularly, or for frequest trips back to the UK, which is only a three and a half hour flight away.
“The lifestyle is so much more relaxed. We looked in Spain but the property was over our budget. We visited Turkey and fell in love with the unspoilt countryside and the friendliness of the people,” explains retired teacher Elizabeth Ladd, who lives for most of the year with her husband Vivien in a four bedroom villa with pool near Dalaman, “We keep a static caravan in Hampshire near our daughters and grandchildren and we spend the hottest summer months there. The rest of the time we are in Turkey.”
The Ladds have an active social life in Dalaman and have many English and Turkish friends. They also love travelling and shopping in the local markets: “There are four markets on different days in the area, and they are lovely to visit even if you don’t want to buy anything. I often take a camera with me,” says Elizabeth.
Turkish Retirement Hot Spots
Ozdere is a charming seaside town that is popular with Turkish retirees. Located just 30 minutes from Izmir airport, which has year-round flights from the UK, the friendly town has a good selection of shops and services. Property prices are some of the lowest on the coast with two-bedroom apartments in the Gokdare community costing from £36,500.
Dalaman is another popular area for retirees looking for a picturesque area which is authentically Turkish and unchanged by mass tourism.
Despite its international airport, which gives easy access to the UK and which is served by Easyjet flights from Gatwick, the town is a normal Turkish market town. Property in the area is excellent value with prices significantly lower than neighbouring resorts.
The stunningly beautiful area of Akkaya, which is 15 minutes from Dalaman town centre and airport, and which overlooks a lake and mountains, has a choice of villas or apartments which are ideal for retirees. Two bedroom apartments on the award-winning Akkaya Gardens development start from £46,200, or there are four bedroom villas with swimming pools from £149,000 at the Hills – winner of the ‘Best Retirement Development Turkey’ category of the 2008 CNBC European Property Awards.
The holiday resort of Altinkum has an excellent choice of property at reasonable prices and a large British expat community, many of whom are retirees. In the town centre, minutes walk from the main beach and shops, two and three bedroom duplex apartments with roof terrace and built-in barbeque are available for £45,000 and £60,000; or if you prefer something quieter the Green Hills Villa is a 5 bedroom villa with garden and pool in the quiet village of Yesiltepe, 10 minutes from Altinkum, which costs £120,000.
The village of Uzumlu, set in pine-forested mountains near Fethiye, is ideal for retirees and there is a good selection of houses with views over the surrounding farmland and mountains. The winters are mild and sunny; and the beaches and town are only 10 minutes drive away. Villas with large gardens and swimming pools typically start from £140,000.
For retirees with larger budgets, the resorts of Kalkan and Kas have some stunning villas with swimming pools and sea views. Prices for this kind of property typically start from around £200,000.

For more information about the property in this feature contact the Buying in Turkey Collection, Tel 0845 351 3551,

Dominic Whiting is the editor of the Buying in Turkey property guide, buy online at www.buyinginguides.info or Amazon.co.uk. For a free consultation with a Buying In Turkey property adviser call Tel: 0845 351 3551, or visit www.buyingin.co.uk

If you are looking for an ideal place to buy a property for family holidays in the sun, Turkey ticks all the right boxes. Knocking Spain off the top spot, the Mediterranean country was the UK’s package destination of choice in 2008, according to figures from the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Association of British Travel Agemts, with over 1 million British visitors, many of them families. So why is Turkey so popular and which are the best areas for families to buy their own a property in the sun?

The biggest draw for most sun-starved Brits is the country’s sunshine and blue skies, with great weather guaranteed throughout the long summer.

“The conditions at Easter and the summer and winter half-term holidays are also good, and may actually be better for younger kids than the hottest months of July and August,” says Dominic Whiting, editor of the www.buyingin.co.uk  Buying in Turkey guide

The other vital holiday ingredient for kids, a sandy beach, can be found all along the Turkish Mediterranean coast with many long, sandy beaches that are gently sloping and perfect for hours of sand castle building and paddling.

For older kids there are plenty of activities to keep them busy. Watersports like windsurfing, sailing, water skiing and parasailing are available and tours can be arranged to the many historic sites and ruins that dot the Turkish coast.

Another important plus is how child-friendly Turkey is. Quite simply, Turks adore kids. Wherever you go expect the children to be doted on and spoilt. It is also an extremely safe country and crime-rates are very low compared to the UK.

“Crucially for families, Turkey is only a 3.5 hour flight from the UK so no long-haul nightmare getting there and back. There are plenty of budget flight options during the season from charter operators like Thompson and Thomas Cook and no-thrills airlines Easyjet, who fly from Gatwich to Dalaman, and Flyglobespan, who operate from Scottish airports,” comments Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, www.buyingin.co.uk

Many new developments in Turkey have been designed with families in mind and have great facilities such as large swimming pools and tennis courts to keep the kids entertained for hours. It is also likely they will find other English-speaking friends to play with, leaving the adults free to relax.

Checklist for the perfect family holiday home

• Choose a property close to the beach & shops


• Choose a development with good communal facilities


• Choose an area with activities and entertainment locally


• Select a resort where there are other English-speaking kids


• Choose a property within 1 hour of the nearest airport

Top three areas to buy a family holiday home

Kusadasi

The Aegean resort of Kusadasi is very popular with families because there is so much to do. There are beaches and several large water parks, or for something more educational, the ruins of Roman Efesus are a great introduction to ancient history. Izmir airport is only 45 minutes away.

The Melito Villas are spacious 4 bedroom detached houses on a complex with a huge pool and within walking distance of the beach. Ideal for families, the villas costs from £66,500.

Dalaman

Dalaman has plenty to keep the family entertained including boat trips, nature tours, mud baths, white-water rafting trips and the gorgeous Blue Flag beach at Sarigerme, which is one of the few in Turkey with life guards. For the adults, an 18-hole golf course is opening in 2009 as part of the Hilton Dalaman Golf and Spa Resort. The international airport has plenty of flights from the UK and the kids can be playing in the pool within an hour of landing.

Akkaya Gardens is a family-friendly development of 2 bedroom apartments starting from £46,200 with excellent facilities including a huge swimming pool, cafe and a fitness centre. Nearby, the spacious 3 bedroom Olive Grove villas have their own pool and cost from £149,000.

Side

The kids will love exploring the magical ruins of ancient Side and playing on the sand dunes. Access to the old town is on a tractor train in season making the resort feel like a huge historical theme park. The beaches are gently sloping and ideal for kids, or for some excitement there are white water rafting trips and horse riding in the Sorgum forest.

The Aqua Villas have great communal facilities and are close to the beach and shops with prices starting from £115,900.

For more information about the property in this feature contact the Buying in Turkey Collection, Tel 0845 351 3551, www.buyingin.co.uk