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Buying Property in Turkey: Pitfalls

How not to lose money · 2026

Most losses come from skipped basic checks, not elaborate scams

Where Buyers Lose Money

Deposit

before checks

paying ahead of due diligence

Tapu

with an encumbrance

mortgage, seizure, lien

No iskan

no habitation permit

utility problems, lower value

Outside bank

cash payment

loses protection and relief

Risk → How to Close It

Encumbrances on the property

mortgage, seizure, lien

takyidat record

Inflated price

artificial mark-up

SPK appraisal

Stalled / unpermitted build

off-plan from a developer

yapı ruhsatı + track record

Military / restricted zone

foreigners cannot buy

check before deposit

Do / Don't

✓

Do: legal due diligence on the tapu, an SPK appraisal, pay only by transfer from your own account + DAB

Don't: deposit before checks, pay cash, or close without an independent lawyer

virtoproperty.com · Sources: TKGM, property lawyers · June 2026
For information only — not legal advice.