Turkey’s record population boosts Istanbul property market

Turkey’s record population boosts Istanbul property market

by Viv United Kingdom
  • Turkey population at record 77.7 million level (TurkStat)
  • Istanbul most populous city, with 18.5% of population, having increased 1.6% in just one year (TurkStat)
  • Upmarket district of Beylikdüzü population increases by 5.8% year-on-year – Universal21 provides investment opportunities

According to fresh statistics released by the Turkish Statistical Institute, TurkStat, the country’s population has hit an all-time high. Having now broken the 77 million mark to stand at an impressive figure of some 77.7 million as of 2014, these numbers are over 1 million more than those of 2013, when population stood at around the 76.7 million level.

A substantial increase year-on-year by anyone’s standards, alongside this there has been the interesting trend towards Turkish city-living, with a 0.5% increase in the number of people choosing to make a city home in 2014. Yet not all Turkish cities are equal in this respect. There is one location that stands out, even amongst this overall growth, as one to watch and it is not the capital.

The north-western city of Istanbul, famed as being the country’s largest and the cultural, economic and historic beating heart of Turkey, is today also becoming famed for its investment opportunities as its expanding population results in a greater need for more housing.

With 18.5% of the Turkish population now residing in the city, and with this total of 14.38 million citizens a figure inflated by 1.6% in just one year, Istanbul is Turkey’s most populated province. And this has led, by default, to an increased pressure on the city’s housing stock.

Adil Yaman, Director of Universal21, the leading property agency in South-West Istanbul, explains more,

“With the recent gains in population, Istanbul is now surging ahead of Turkey’s second most populous city, the capital Ankara, which houses 6.6% of the population compared to Istanbul’s 18.5%. The knock-on effect of this huge population surge is that it has given rise to the question: where will all these people find homes?

“With 2,767 people per square kilometre, coupled with the fact that Istanbul is an ever-more popular tourist destination on its own merit too, today there are fantastic investment opportunities for those looking to purchase property in the city. Istanbul is certainly a hot 2015 prospect.”

Even within Istanbul there are obvious variations in terms of population growth, and in turn property prospects, with the upmarket district of Beylikdüzü one that is proving popular with locals. With a name meaning ‘Plains of the Beylik’, Beylikdüzü is a highly thought-of Istanbul neighbourhood, inhabited by middle classes, 40% of whom have a university degree (according to a survey by the municipal council). Here, TurkStat have shown that the numbers of those residing have increased by 5.8% over the last year, from 248,056 in 2013 to 262,473 as of 2014.

Universal21 is offering a solution to this growing population, with projects designed to appeal to the local market and in turn investors keen to capitalise on the growth opportunities. One such is Tulip Residence, located just a few minutes’ walk away from the town centre, in Old Beylikdüzü.

Ideally situated close to all amenities and restaurants, as well as being nearby the new Marmara shopping centre and just 15 minutes from the beach and 20 minutes’ drive from the main Ataturk airport, Tulip Residence is an excellent investment choice. The resort is made up of studios, one bed and two bedroom apartments, with high quality facilities that include shops and a health club, children’s playground, outside pool and landscaped gardens, sauna, Turkish bath, tennis court and basketball court.

Studios are priced from £34,000 / €50,000, one bed apartments from £51,000 / €64,500 and 2 bed apartments are priced from £70,500 / €90,000.

For more information about Universal21, visit www.universal21.com or call 0203 287 8700.

 

AB Property Marketing appointed by leading Istanbul agent Universal21

AB Property Marketing appointed by leading Istanbul agent Universal21

by Kate Turkey ,

36.8 million foreign visitors arriving in 2014. 5.7% growth in average tourism spend in the last five years. 16.3% increase in house sales in December 2014, compared to the previous year. There is no denying it, the Turkish property market is looking hot.

And as 2015 begins to shine the spotlight even more sharply on this growing market, there is one location that is standing out more than all the rest, and not just in Turkey, worldwide. Istanbul is fast gaining an enviable reputation as one of the world’s top tourist destinations, with Trip Advisor ranking it in prime position in its ‘Top 25 World Destinations’ as part of the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Awards, a deserving accolade for a location where ’Europe and Asia meet… where breathtaking ancient architecture coexists with modern restaurants and nightlife.”

A melting pot of history and culture, as well as being a thriving financial centre, the resounding success of Turkey’s largest city has led to a flourishing property market, ripe for investment and increasingly so. Dynamic property company, Universal21, in recognising this, has been successfully working in the South-West region of Istanbul for 7 years and has grown to become proud of its status as the market leader in this field.

With a proven track record of bringing to market a diverse range of major projects in the city, Universal21 is highly experienced and knowledgeable on, the Turkish property market and offers total turnkey rental management services to those buying in Istanbul for investment and those buying for lifestyle reasons alike.

With this wealth of experience behind them, Director of Universal21, Adil Yaman, is sure that 2015 is already on track to be an even more exciting year,

“Istanbul is a renowned transcontinental city that has grown to become the planet’s go-to destination. This has meant that great opportunities have emerged for people investing in the local property market and we are fortunate to be able to help people in this through our wide range of property projects, from studio, one or two bed apartments, through to large, exclusive detached villas.

“With growing tourist numbers and greater development in the property market already being recorded this year, it is clear that 2015 is going to build, further still, on this enviable reputation and we look forward to what it will bring for Universal21 and our clients.”

Further to this increasing success, both for Istanbul and Universal21, the company has announced the appointment of leading property PR agency, AB Property Marketing to further grow their presence in the market.

Charlotte Ashton, MD of AB Property Marketing comments,

“Istanbul is a truly exciting market right now, as it continues to expand into 2015 and beyond. With no restrictions on foreign ownership, more and more people are realising the many benefits of buying in the Turkish property market and we are thrilled to be able to help spread the word of Universal 21’s part in this success. ABPM are proud to be working with such an established and highly thought of company as Universal21 and look forward to playing our part in further developing their central place in the Istanbul market.”

As experienced major players in the Istanbul property market, from both an investment and lifestyle perspective, Universal21 are available for market opinion, project information/images and to provide comment on buying overseas.

For more information about Universal21, visit www.universal21.com or call 0203 287 8700.