Lux for Less in Turkey
Spain has long been the nation’s favourite overseas property destination, with easy accessibility from British airports and an appealing climate; it’s easy to see why Britons have been keen to invest their cash in Spanish properties. However, with the high house prices in Spain (the average house price sits around €240,000 according to kyero.com) and the current weakness of the Pound against the Euro, Turkey is now stepping into Spain’s shoes as the destination of choice for overseas property purchasers. This trend has been reflected in this year’s tourist season, with figures from the Turkish Tourist Office and the Association of British Travel Agents showing Turkey as the most popular destination for British holidaymakers this year.
Since 2003 the number of Turkish properties owned by British nationals has increased sevenfold from around 3,000 to 21,000 today, transforming the country from a fringe market for adventurous buyers into one of the most popular property destinations.
There are many good reasons behind the country’s rise in popularity as a holiday and second home destination; the classic Mediterranean climate, the beautiful beaches and unspoilt scenery and the warmth and friendliness of the Turkish people. Improved accessibility from the UK, with more and more flight options being announced, such as Easyjet’s new Gatwick-Dalaman route or Flyglobespan’s budget routes from Scotland starting in 2009, has also helped to push Turkey to the top of British wish lists. Crucially though, it is the excellent value for money offered by Turkish property that is the main catalyst behind the increased attention.
“With well-built luxury apartments and villas being developed in fantastic locations, a growing number of cheap flight options and the strength of the Euro, there really has never been a better time to look to Turkey for your holiday home and property investment”, says Dominic Whiting, Editor of the Buying In Turkey Guide.
However, lower prices do not mean compromising on quality. The Turkish market offers luxury homes built to European standards with facilities you would expect to see in an international five-star resort – all at a fraction of the price of an equivalent property in Spain.
So for those of you that want to live with the opulence of the sultans but don’t have the purse strings to match then why not consider Lycia Luxury Villa, a three bedroom traditional Ottoman style home complete with swimming pool which costs £169,000 and is close to the upmarket resort of Kalkan. Those of you with more energy than cash to burn may prefer the Aqua Villas, in Side. This fabulous private gated five star community offers residents access to a modern gym, sauna, tennis courts and a communal pool. These three bedroom luxury detached and semi-detached villas start from £174,900 and £115,900 respectively. Each of the properties has been designed with spacious and stylish interiors and come with air conditioning units, kitchen appliances and white goods as standard. Or you can build your own dream villa with pool in a stunning location from £110,000-£200,000. While for the budget buyers, there are still apartments available in resorts like Altinkum, Ozdere or Dalaman from as little as £36,000.
One couple who made the decision to buy in Turkey are the Charitys from Dundee. Angus Charity and his wife originally only bought their Turkish villa as an investment for £108,000, with the idea of reselling it and buying a property in Spain. Two years on, however, and the Charitys have fallen in love with their home in Akkaya near Dalaman. Angus Charity explains why: “It’s so peaceful here and we like the people. They are a lot friendlier than in the Spanish resorts,” says Angus, who works in the insurance industry. “A similar property in Spain or Portugal would have cost us over £500,000.”
To find out more about Turkish property get the Buying in Turkey guide, available to download for free at www.buyingin.co.uk or talk to a Buying in Turkey property adviser on 0845 355 3551
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Notes to Editor:
Properties available
Gokdare Apartments – Ozdere
Excellent value 2 bedroom apartments in the undiscovered seaside town of Ozdere available from €46,000 / £36,500 more information contact Buying In, Ozdere´s only UK agent on 0845 351 3551 or visit www.buyingin.co.uk
Akkaya Gardens – Akkaya
Award winning two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom, two-bathroom villas in the unspoilt mountains of the Akkaya region only 15 minutes from Dalaman. The complex has a large communal pool and all the properties have sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and picturesque lake. Prices start from €58,330 / £46,200 for more details contact Buying In on 0845 3513551 or visit www.buyingin.co.uk
Olive Grove Villa / The Hills – Akkaya
Stunning award winning detached 3 bedroom villas, in Akkaya Valley in The Hills development from only £149,000 / €189,000. Contact Buying In Turkey Collection on 0845 351 3551 or visit www.buyingin.co.uk for more information