Buying a House in Turkey
Knowing what to look for when buying a house will save thousands of pounds and avoid long-term headaches. Whether structural issues, water pressure, hairline cracks, or energy efficiency problems, the list of what can be wrong with a house extends far below the surface.
Good real estate agents will tell you that when viewing a home, most people look at the aesthetic side; however, potential issues are always hidden. Nothing is more frustrating than paying the total purchase price for a property and then regretting your purchase six months later.
Luckily, most mortgage lenders will appraise and evaluate a property before you start buying. Still, buyers should look for certain aspects before starting their house-buying journey. Here are our house-hunting tips for first-time house buyers to make an informed decision and avoid costly repairs. Please note that buying a house in Turkey via a mortgage route from Turkey these days is extremely rare due to lengthy formalities and, most importantly, the high interest rates, which generally are put off by foreign customers.
What to Look for When Buying a House
1: School Districts
While families love being near a school, commuters or retirees who want a peaceful life must check if the property is on the school run. Nothing is worse than buying a house and waking up to find the street covered in cars and kids on their way to school. School run times affect other local traffic on adjacent roads.
2: Neighbour Disputes
Bad neighbours are the bane of everyone's life, but be direct with your question. Not every current owner will tell the truth about their bad neighbours, or they might try to downplay situations. Also, ask if there have ever been disputes over boundaries, as this is common, and look at the gardens of neighbouring properties. They indicate how well-kept the neighbourhood is.
3: Suspicious-looking Cracks
Ah, this is the first place where you need to focus your vision. Look for suspicious-looking cracks in every room and on the exterior of the building. Even a minor crack will cause havoc; in some cases, minor cracks cover up more significant structural damage. As well as checking interior walls, check the exterior as they can indicate foundation problems.
4: Window Problems
Windows provides excellent insight into a property's interior. Check that the double glazing is intact, whether single, double, or triple-glazed. Do the windows open and close quickly? Is there condensation on the windows? A telltale sign that there is a problem is looking at the paint around windows to ensure it is smooth, intact, and not flaking off.
5: How Energy Efficient is the Property?
Ask to see the EPC, which is an energy performance certificate. The certificate should say whether the walls and attic are insulated. Uninsulated homes result in more expensive energy bills. Air conditioning units are costly, so if these are included in the sale, ask when they were last serviced. Reasonable sellers will provide average household costs and energy bills.
6: Space Conscious
Most people forget about space until they have bought a house and moved in. However, space is an important topic. Consider storage space in all rooms, like wardrobes, and look at the attic space. In some cases, it can be used for storage; in others, the attic space is enough for another functioning room. Parking spaces are essential for households with cars, and remember the green and outdoor spaces if you look at houses with gardens. Green spaces enhance our sense of well-being.
7: Potential Repairs
While minor or aesthetic repairs can be overlooked, look for significant ones. This might be something simple like paintwork or something drastic like the plumbing infrastructure. Significant repair costs put substantial dents in your budget. Look for repairs where the owner has tried to cut corners. Home DIY enthusiasts sometimes cause more damage than they repair. Check phone points, light switches, and electric sockets to ensure they all work.
8: Water Problems and Potential Plumbing Issues
The worst nightmare for a homeowner is water problems. Check for signs of water damage in every room, both on the walls and window frames; however, also inspect ceilings for water lines. Water damage isn't as simple as painting over; in some cases, it might require structural repairs. Check the water heater. How old is it? Are there drips or leaks? Ask to see all water pipes, as they are costly to repair or replace. Check the washing machine area for signs of leaks.
9: The Sellers Motive
During every property viewing of your house-hunting endeavour, you should know why the seller has put the home on the market and how long it has been for sale. Also, ask if there are current offers from other prospective buyers and if the seller is knowledgeable about the previous owners. A property's history has many stories to tell. If additional work has been done on the property, request copies of the planning permission. Lastly, is there a property chain?
10: Walk the Neighbourhood
Instead of driving around, walk around the neighbourhood at different times of the day and night. You would be amazed at how areas change once the sun sets. Check for distances to public transport and if there are other potential homes for sale in the area. This is one of the most significant decisions you will make in your life, and some buyers return up to three or four times when house shopping.
11: Smell is Your Greatest Weapon
Hidden issues are sometimes hard to spot, but did you know your nose will lead you straight to them and health hazards? Bad smells and musty odours indicate numerous problems throughout the house, including improper ventilation, flaky plaster, poor drainage, poor tiling, signs of foundation problems, signs of dampness, and much more.
12: What Direction Does the House Face?
Of course, this is a personal preference, but some buyers prefer south-facing houses. They receive lots of natural light, sunlight, and warmth throughout the day. A south-facing house with small windows can be dark, so check each room for how much natural daylight it receives.
3 House Hunting Mistakes That First-time Home Buyers Make
Don't maximise your budget: Decide on your price range for your investment property and then go in at your bottom end. Some people start at their exact budget and get disappointed when they don't find their ideal home. We have known more than one buyer to find their dream home well under the budget, leaving them more money for monthly mortgage payments and property taxes.
Acting Alone: Now is not the time to save money by neglecting professional help. Home buyers are not on their own, whether it is the house survey by a qualified home inspector, the mortgage broker, the conveyancing process, or seeking legal advice. Employ industry professionals for advice and tips to save money and stress.
Looking for Perfection: Look for significant issues, but forget about perfection when looking at decor and design. These are not costly repairs and can be done further down the road due to their non-urgent status. By decor and design, we mean the paint colours of rooms, doors, floors, bathroom fixtures, skirting boards, and tiling.
Emotional Attachment: Most people base their house-shopping decisions on emotions when looking at properties in their price range. This is great because you want to feel at home and happy. However, don't base your decision on emotions alone. Use common sense and take your time with an offer.
About Us - Turkey Homes
Welcome to our website. We hope we have given you many valuable tips on what to look for when buying a house. We are a real estate agent who sells properties in Turkey. If you want to buy a holiday home, an investment property for your portfolio, or somewhere to retire in later years, see our homes for sale here. You might also like to read our article about investing in a holiday home abroad.
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