Many potential buyers of real estate in Turkey are pondering whether to invest in an apartment (or several ones) or a villa. We will look at the main pros and cons of buying a detached house in this article.
Content:
- Top 10 reasons why villas are preferable to apartments
- Tips on what to consider when purchasing a house
- The prospects of renting villas in numbers
- What makes villas less desirable compared to apartments?
- Related news
Top 10 reasons why villas are preferable to apartments
- In most instances, the owner of the villa fully owns the land on which it is built. It can provide a swimming pool, a BBQ area, terraces, a children's playground, and more — all the amenities found in an apartment building for many owners will be exclusively yours.
- To lease villas in Turkey, approval from neighbours is not necessary; it is enough to issue the documents requested by the Ministry of Tourism and pay taxes on time.
- Villas are situated far from other buildings ensuring the issue of loud neighbours is either eliminated or reduced. This means no noisy children near the pool, no littering in communal spaces and no late-night parties. Additionally, many luxurious houses in Turkey are positioned in such a way that neighbours are hardly noticeable.
- There are villas for sale within gated communities, with certain amenities like parking, garden, pool, terrace and barbecue area being private while others like spa, fitness room, sports courts and dining options are shared. Simultaneously, the management company is capable of handling technical tasks (repair, maintenance and cleaning) in every house within the community's area. You have the option to use the services of your own staff as well.
- Villas situated in sought-after areas close to the ocean are increasing in value consistently and becoming more costly quickly. Auctions can be arranged in Istanbul and nearby places, such as Şile, Silivri, Kalkan, and Göcek, to attract potential buyers and raise prices.
- Unlike an apartment, no matter how spacious it is, villas can accommodate many more people. You will not have any problems if your friends or relatives come to visit you.
- If multi–bedroom apartments in Turkey most often has two, sometimes three bathrooms, then villas usually have a private bathroom with each bedroom. It is highly beneficial for families or large corporations, or even when leasing a property "in parts". Furthermore, by designing the villa yourself, you have the option to plan the entrance to each bedroom directly from the street, while keeping the common "coworking area" shared for the living rooms and kitchen.
- Layout options: Unlike apartment buildings, you can build or change your villa or detached house based on your vision and needs.
- Safety: if Turkey experiences a severe earthquake, the villa's fewer floors enhance its stability and safety. The evacuation process is designed to be as easy as possible. Even though Bodrum faces an increased threat of earthquakes, it continues to be a favoured destination as no structures have collapsed in recent years.
- Another major advantage is that Turkey offers a wide range of real estate options making it possible to buy a small villa in development projects in Turkey for the same price as an apartment in Istanbul. If you are not confused by the distance from the sea, the main public infrastructure in the village and proximity to social facilities (such as a post office, hospital and other government agencies), then everything is fine.
Tips on what to consider when purchasing a house
Initially, focus on the building's quality. Select homes from reputable developers with a strong track record of finished projects and within their own communities. A lot of these communities are marked with the company's name, which means they are branded. The developer company will ensure quality at all times to protect its reputation.
In addition, it is important to pay attention to the purpose of the land. No matter how aesthetically pleasing, practical and affordable a house may be, if it is constructed on land not designated for housing, officials have the power to tear it down. If these issues are not addressed promptly, the estate could continue to exist for five to ten years before the breach is discovered leading to the current owner forfeiting the property, despite purchasing the villa one week earlier. It is crucial to verify the accuracy of documents and ensure they align with the site's objective.
Recently, there have been multiple instances of unauthorized building of private properties in Üsküdar. Istanbul is sought-after for this purpose: there is a high demand for villas here, particularly those situated close to the Bosphorus. In the end, only a handful of places are as prosperous as the heavily developed shores of the strait.
If constructing a home is not feasible, the owner has gentler options, but creating a pool is not allowed at this particular location. Afterward, the pool will have to be buried.
Additionally, if you are buying a villa in a forest outside the city, it is important to examine thoroughly the future development plans of the area by requesting information from the local government. If a new highway, tram line or metro is built within a radius of several hundred meters within five years, this area will no longer be considered a "paradise" due to the fact that it is surrounded by urban development and infrastructure. At that point, the only choice left is to lease the house until it is sold. The price of the villa can reduce significantly.
Furthermore, there is a risk of misleading advertisements when it comes to selling homes in off-plan projects in Turkey. A building may be well-made and located in the "right" location yet still be simultaneously purchased by multiple buyers. Losing even a partial payment in advance is extremely displeasing.
Both buyers and potential villa renters should be aware that depositing rent payments into a bank account is becoming more than just a suggestion, it is now a requirement. Make sure to review all documentation thoroughly to confirm who will be receiving the money. Under no circumstances should you sign a contract if the company name on the contract does not match the name on the bank account provided to you.
A significant increase in cases of fraud was documented in August 2024, during a peak in demand for houses and apartments in development projects in Turkey. This involved posting photos of other people's houses from Instagram and using TÜRSAB travel association documents from other travel agencies to falsify data of unsuspecting companies. "According to TÜRSAB representatives, individuals should avoid renting accommodations through social media accounts. The necessary documents should be verified in the requests section of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and TÜRSAB websites. This method for detecting fraud is among the most straightforward. We want to prevent our guests from falling prey to fraudsters."
The prospects of renting villas in numbers
The number of wealthy Turks is declining leading to a rise in demand for simpler holiday villas for shorter durations. For instance, data from this summer reveals that tourists who used to stay for 7 nights in previous years now only stay for 5 nights, while those who typically stayed for 5 nights now only stay for 3. Accommodation duration has been shortened from one month to 2-3 weeks and so forth.
However, people who appreciate the convenience and quality of holidays in villas in seaside areas, still try to rent them, and not apartments or hotel rooms. Despite having to pay more than necessary, the demand for the villas remains steady.
Once again, there are foreigners who choose to lease detached houses, and the cost is not so high for them. If you exclude the top luxurious spots such as Bodrum and its vicinity. However, affordable villas can be sought after in the coastal regions near Istanbul, in Fethiye, in the province of Antalya and other similar locations.
The rent amount guarantees a fast return on investment. As per TÜRSAB, prices for small two-bedroom villas in Kalkan with sea views started at TL 4,500 ($132) per day during the summer of 2024, while houses for 7-8 people ranged from TL 6,000-7,000 ($175-205).
Experts say that the weekly rental price for houses in Bodrum, which has a high number of villas for sale, begins at TL 100,000. It remains profitable for visitors. Indeed, there are no dining places or entertainment options in the rural areas. However, spending a week at an elegant Bodrum hotel last summer came to about TL 1 million ($29,250). That means it is ten times pricier and more.
Finally, unlike the situation with buying an apartment for each specific villa, you can request a personalized instalment plan for the remaining amount after the initial payment after making the initial payment. By purchasing a new detached house, it is much easier to negotiate with the developer. Especially if you ask your agent to do it.
What makes villas less desirable compared to apartments?
The only benefit of the apartment may be that it is more cost-effective to upkeep. When considering renting it out in some way, it can be made available at a lower price. Hence, it is important to remember that your villa may potentially become a "burden" needing financial investments, including maintenance costs and repairs, until it is sold. Furthermore, if you purchase a home "to spend a holiday at sea three times a year", and let the property stand idle the rest of the time, the expenses for an apartment versus a house differ significantly particularly due to rising utility costs. For instance, the price of a cubic metre of water has increased greatly in Turkey this summer.
Related news
- The prices for renting villas in Bodrum please the owners and frighten the tenants.
- A complex of villas with a "hotel concept" is underway in the vicinity of Bodrum.
- A series of view mansions to appear in Gündoğan.
- Up to TL 10 million are requested per week at the villa.
- A complex with a hotel under the international Bvlgari brand and hundreds of villas to appear in Bodrum as well.