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25 questions to ask a real estate agency before you buy in Turkey

In short

A good agency welcomes your questions and answers them in writing. Ask about its licence, its commission and who pays it; about the property’s title deed, any encumbrances, the occupancy certificate and the maintenance fees; about the neighbourhood and how the price compares with the market; about the developer and its past deliveries for new projects; and about after-sales services. Vague answers or pressure to pay quickly are signals to stop.

Written by Mohammed Bukhari, Real estate consultant

Last reviewed October 7, 2026

Choosing the agency is half the buying decision. The easiest way to assess one: ask, listen, and request the answers in writing. We gathered these questions from our clients’ experiences, and we are happy for you to ask them of us before anyone else.

About the agency

  1. Do you hold an authorisation certificate from the Ministry of Trade? What is its number?
  2. How long have you been working in this city?
  3. Who will follow my purchase from start to tapu (title deed transfer)?
  4. How much is the commission? Who pays it in this deal, and when? See the guide to real estate agency commission.
  5. Will you sign a written contract with me?

About the property

  1. Can I see an up-to-date tapu record before any payment?
  2. What type of tapu is it? Is there a mortgage, lien or annotation on it? See the guide to mortgages, liens and annotations.
  3. Does the building have an iskan (occupancy certificate)? See the iskan guide.
  4. What year was the building permit issued? Is there a structural safety report?
  5. What is the net area? See the guide to net and gross area.
  6. How much is the aidat (monthly maintenance fee)? Does the flat have any debts?
  7. Is the view protected from future construction?

About the area and the price

  1. Why this price? Which similar properties have sold recently?
  2. Is the neighbourhood open to foreigners’ residence registration? See the guide to closed neighbourhoods.
  3. What is the realistic rental demand here?
  4. What services and transport are nearby?

About the developer and the project

  1. Which projects has the developer delivered before? Can I visit them? See the guide to choosing a reliable developer.
  2. Does the project have a building permit?
  3. How are my rights protected before the deed is transferred? See the guide to the promise-to-sell contract.
  4. What is the penalty for late delivery?

About the deal

  1. What is the full cost on top of the price? See the guide to the declared value at the tapu.
  2. How and where do I pay? See the guide to transferring the purchase price.
  3. How long does the process take until the tapu?

After the purchase

  1. Do you help with utilities, residence and furnishing?
  2. Do you manage rentals? On what terms? See the guide to managing a property remotely.

Answers that call for caution

  • “There’s no need to see the deed now.”
  • “The offer ends today.”
  • “Pay into an account other than the owner’s.”
  • “Citizenship is guaranteed.”

More in the guide to the warning signs of property fraud.

In short

Ask a lot, request the answers in writing, and compare agencies on clarity, not promises. A good agency sees your questions as a sign that you are serious, not a nuisance.

Ask us all of these questions. Contact us, or meet the team.

Sources

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