A 30-Day Plan to Buy Your First Property in Turkey: From First Call to Keys

In short

Buying a ready property in Turkey can take about 30 days if the steps go in order: set your goal and budget (days 1–3), view and choose a property (4–12), negotiate and pay a written deposit (13–15), legal checks and the valuation report (16–22), prepare the money and the appointment (23–27), then tapu (title deed) day (28–30). Off-plan purchases, citizenship purchases and areas that need security clearance take longer.

Written by Mohammed Bukhari, Real estate consultant

Last reviewed October 7, 2026

Your first purchase is confusing because you don't know what comes after what. This plan sets out the steps over roughly 30 days for a ready property, with links to the details at each stage.

Days 1–3: goal and budget

Set your goal: a home, an investment, residence or citizenship. The goal changes the city, the neighbourhood and the type of property.
Set your full budget: the price plus fees and expenses. See the guide to tapu day fees.
Choose the city and neighbourhood: see the guide to Trabzon's best neighbourhoods for families and the Istanbul price guide.
Make sure you are eligible to buy: see the guide to foreign ownership.

Days 4–7: the shortlist

Receive offers that match your goal, and read them with a critical eye. See the guide to reading listings.
Compare by net square metre. See the net vs gross area guide.
Get your tax number. See the tax number guide.

Days 8–12: viewings

Visit three to five properties in person, or view them by video. See the viewing trip guide.
Visit the neighbourhood at different times, and ask about maintenance fees.

Days 13–15: negotiation and deposit

Negotiate the price, the terms and which furniture stays.
No deposit before an initial title deed check; keep it small and set out in a translated written contract.

Days 16–22: legal checks

Title deed, restrictions and mortgages. See the pre-purchase checklist.
Occupancy certificate (iskan) and tapu type. See the occupancy certificate guide.
Outstanding maintenance fees, property tax and utility bills.
Order the valuation report required for foreigners. See the valuation report guide.
Compulsory earthquake insurance. See the compulsory earthquake insurance guide.
If you will be leaving Turkey: a power of attorney with defined powers. See the guide to buying by power of attorney.

Days 23–27: money and appointment

Open a Turkish bank account if you need one. See the bank account guide.
Transfer the money early enough for it to arrive. See the guide to transferring the purchase price.
Book the tapu appointment and the sworn translator, and pay the fees.
From 1 December 2026 the price goes through the secure payment system, so it only reaches the seller after ownership is transferred.

Days 28–30: tapu day

Signing, confirming receipt of the price, and registering the property in your name on the same day, then collecting the keys. Details in the tapu day guide.

After the tapu

Transfer the electricity, water and gas accounts. See the utilities guide for new owners.
Register your address. See the address registration guide.
Apply for residence if that is your goal, then furnish and let. See the long-term rental guide.

When does it take longer?

Off-plan or citizenship purchases.
Security clearance in some areas.
Bank loans, or transactions by power of attorney from abroad.

Summary

Buying in 30 days is possible when no step jumps ahead of another: the goal before viewings, checks before the deposit, the valuation before the appointment, and the money before the tapu.