Buying in Alanya from Abroad: Viewing, Payments and Representation

Buying in Alanya from abroad: start with evidence

Buying remotely can be practical, but it should not turn a listing, a video call or a message thread into proof of a property’s condition or legal status. Use the first stage to narrow options, then build a record that lets you compare the exact home, payment route and people acting for you.

A remote purchase works best when each decision has a matching document: a video record for the home, written terms for the deal, bank records for the money and a checked authority document for anyone signing or attending in your place.

Make a video viewing useful

Ask for a live, uninterrupted video viewing of the specific unit rather than a generic project film. Agree in advance on what will be shown: the route from the street, building entrance, apartment number or identifiable entrance, rooms, balconies, views, common areas and any visible defects.

During the call, ask the presenter to:

• show the date and move continuously where practical;
• open cupboards, windows and utility areas you need to assess;
• explain which furnishings, appliances, parking spaces or storage areas are included;
• distinguish the actual home from a show flat, render or neighbouring unit;
• send the listing reference, floor plan and written answers after the call.

Save the recording and compare it with the proposed contract and title information. If an important point cannot be seen or documented remotely, treat it as unresolved rather than assuming a favourable answer. You may decide to visit, appoint an independent professional for a property-specific inspection, or make the issue a written condition before payment.

Keep money and terms traceable

Before sending money, obtain a written description of the property, seller, agreed price, payment recipient, purpose of each payment and what happens if a stated condition is not met. Check that the receiving account and named party match the transaction documents; do not rely only on an emailed bank detail.

Use a bank route that creates a clear record. Keep transfer instructions, bank confirmations, exchange records, receipts and the signed agreement together. Ask your bank what it requires for an overseas property payment, and ask the receiving bank or land-registry process what records are required for your case. Requirements concerning foreign-currency exchange documentation, including a DAB, can depend on the transaction and should be verified for the actual buyer and property; do not assume that one buyer’s process applies to every purchase.

Do not send a reservation payment merely because a property is presented as urgent. First identify the party receiving it, the contract terms, the refund or forfeiture conditions, and the evidence you will receive after payment.

Representation: define authority precisely

If someone will act for you, the authority must fit the exact tasks they will perform. The current TKGM FAQ identifies identity documents for parties and representatives, the foreign party’s passport or identity document, and representation authority where applicable.

Ask for the proposed power of attorney before signing it. Check the named representative, the property or transaction scope, signing and payment powers, expiry or revocation arrangements, and whether the authority is limited to what you intend. The required format, notarisation, apostille and Turkish translation must be confirmed for your country and case with the relevant notary, land registry and, where appropriate, independent legal adviser. They are not universal steps that can safely be assumed in every foreign purchase.

Before the Tapu appointment

Ask for a final document pack and compare it against your saved record: seller identity and authority, property identifiers, agreed consideration, payment evidence and any outstanding conditions. Confirm with the land registry whether restrictions apply to the particular buyer and parcel.

For title transfer fees, the official explanation states that buyer and seller are each charged 20 per thousand (2%) of the declared actual transfer consideration, which cannot be below the property tax value. The parties may agree who bears a cost, but that agreement is different from the statutory allocation. Read the Revenue Administration’s official explanation before finalising the budget.

When the Tapu is issued, retain the final deed and all payment and representation records. They are the foundation for later utility, insurance, management or resale decisions—not a substitute for checking those services separately.