Bodrum | Fethiye | Didim | Akbuk| Turkey - Frequently Asked Questions
Bodrum
Bodrum, called Halicarnassus in ancient times, is a lively tourist town and the southern Aegean's most attractive resort. Narrow streets wind their way down to the twin harbours where local boats offer daytrips to nearby islands, pristine beaches and seaside restaurants along the magnificent coastline. Bodrum is also home to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the crumbling remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Bodrum can be packed with foreign visitors in summer, yet it remains unspoilt and retains its charming Turkish character, perfecting the balance between exotic bazaars, the wailing cry of the muezzin and ancient history with water sports, sunbathing and a nightlife that is notorious throughout Turkey. Bodrum is a good starting point for a journey along the Carian coast with its spectacular scenery, sandy beaches, rocky coves and inlets resembling small fjords.
Property in Bodrum
Hillside Gardens This resort-style complex of luxury apartments and villas, due for completion in April 2007, will have full on-site facilities including a pool, gym, restaurant, supermarket and tennis court, all with 24-hour security. Hillside Gardens is 55km from Bodrum airport, 5km from the picturesque village of Yalikavak, and just 1300m from the sea.
Antalya province on the Mediterranean coast is Turkey's principal holiday region and a paradise for sunbathing, swimming and sports. Nearby, ancient theatres can be found in a remarkable state of preservation at Aspendos and Perge, and visitors can tour the sunken city of Simena in Kekova.
Properties will enjoy panoramic sea views. Yalikavak, a small fishing village with a mix of modern and old buildings surrounding a traffic-free harbour area, retains its laid-back Turkish charm. Spectacular views across the Aegean sea and stunning sunsets are among its main attractions. Prices start from under £60,000, with very favourable payment terms throughout construction, and a full management and rental service is available for these properties.
Lakeside Gardens This exciting new development is situated just 13kms from Bodrum International airport and 25kms from Bodrum Town at Lake Tuzla. Situated on a picturesque and unspoilt area of coastline near Gulluk, it boasts wonderful views of the Aegean Sea, stunning beaches and the beautiful Tuzula Lake.
Lakeside Gardens overlooks the lake and has the benefit of being situated within 2km of the new golf course that is currently under construction.
Turquoise Project This stunning new development is located in close proximity to the new Vita Park golf project which is currently under construction and will boast two 9-hole and one 18-hole golf courses.
Turquoise overlooks Lake Tuzla, which is just 13kms from Bodrum International airport and 25kms from Bodrum town. Ideally placed on a picturesque and unspoilt area of coastline near Gulluk, this project boasts wonderful views of the Aegean Sea, beautiful beaches and the dazzling Lake Tuzla. Turquoise is only a 2 minute walk from the beach and the development will have many on-site facilities.
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Fethiye
The popular resort of Fethiye, on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, sits at the head of a beautiful bay strewn with islands. A hill crowned by the ruins of the crusader fortress built by the Knights of Rhodes overlooks the port and, above the town, numerous Lycian rock tombs are cut into the cliff face. The town itself is a prosperous mix of tradition, history and new investment. The majority of people there speak English.
Fethiye balances the attractions of a bustling resort town with the functionality of a working regional centre. It makes a good base for exploring the surrounding coastline and countryside. You'll find a good range of shops, eating places and accommodation, and excellent transport services to surrounding attractions. The harbour area makes a pleasant place to spend the evening and the pedestrianised old town is appealing and a good place to shop for souvenirs. You might want to consider the 12 islands boat trip, a nice way to see the bay and an opportunity to seek out the quieter beaches and coves only accessible from the sea.
The Fethiye region is idyllic, with turquoise seas, a dramatic coastline and pine-clad mountains with hidden valleys and gorges. Steady winds make Fethiye Bay perfect for sailing and windsurfing. The Gulf of Göcek and its friendly marina is one of the Mediterranean's best sailing spots and Hisaronu, at the foot of Mount Babadag-Oludeniz, is a popular paragliding centre.
Property in Fethiye
Botanic Gardens
Surrounded by beautiful scenery and conveniently located only a few minutes from the busy centre of Dalaman, Botanic Gardens is ideally placed for easy access to the sandy beach of Sarigerme, the nature, history, and activities of Dalaman and the quaint port of Gocek.
Botanic Gardens has been designed to fit naturally into the local surroundings whilst still retaining the luxury and convenience of a self contained holiday village. With a full range of leisure, fitness, restaurants and shopping facilities Botanic Gardens will be the perfect environment to rest and recharge, while the children are kept fully entertained. Botanic Gardens is a sound investment and a perfect place to spend a holiday.
Features include:
* Close to golf
* Close to Dalaman airport
* Close to beach
* Indoor pool
* Shopping facilities
* Leisure facilities
* Good investment opportunities
Terrace Life Enjoy stunning views over Gocek's picturesque marina from this exciting new development in the Bay of Fethiye. Terrace Life, conveniently situated just 5 minutes from the centre of Gocek and 20km from Dalaman international airport, is a resort-style development of 52 villas and 48 apartments with full on-site facilities in what looks set to become Turkey's hottest new tourist destination.
Features include: private swimming pools, tennis court, mini-golf, children's playground, fitness centre and sauna, restaurant and private parking.
Araxa Project This site sits at the base of Babadag (father mountain), it is a peaceful location set away from the main resort. Surrounded by pine forests and lush gardens. Nearby is Hisaronu, where you can find bars, restaurants and shops galore. Jump on the local bus to visit the fantastic beach at Oludeniz or off shopping for bargains in Fethiye. Some of the features of the properties include: Luxurious fireplace, Exterior barbecue, Individual pool, Individual car parking, Large terraces.
Pinara Apartments Fifty 1 and 2 bedroom duplex apartments in 6 blocks near Babadag mountain. Each block is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens and has excellent views towards Oludeniz.
Features include:
* Central heating
* Air conditioning
* Maintenance & security service available
* Features & fitting included
* All free hold properties
Olympos Villas
Set in one of the most fabulous beach resorts on the mediterranean coast in Kalkan, 50 metres from the beach are these 6 individual villas. Each has 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms, no less than 4 bathrooms, an open plan kitchen, lounge and a private swimming pool. These superb and spacious homes will appeal to those who want to enjoy the finer things in life. Due to Kalkan's many official 'green areas', it's a village that's growing at a steady pace and should retain its charm and special ambience for many years to come.
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Didim
Didyma (as it is known), north of Bodrum, is home to one of Turkey's most impressive ancient sites: the ruined Temple of Apollo, which rivals Ephesus. The area is perfect for families and those seeking a relaxed, easy-going beach holiday, as its main attraction is three long sandy beaches stretching from the small harbour at one end of a gently shelving bay to a rocky cliff at the other end.
Today's Didim is a rapidly growing holiday resort completely different to what it used to be 10-15 years ago, welcoming a large population of tourists to its beautiful beaches, ancient towns, culture and wonderful climate.
Property in Didim
Appollonium Resort Appollonium is an exclusive resort development of 337 properties with something for everyone. Situated near the traditional fishing village of Bozbuk and just 15 minutes from Didim town centre, you can spend your time doing as little or as much as you want. The homes at Appollonium Resort will be built in the most beautiful location between 400 metres of luxurious golden sandy beach and stunning mountainside covered in olive groves and pine trees, an area famous for its fig trees which are harvested by the local people. These homes also benefit from being perfectly located between both Izmir and Bodrum airports which are just a short drive away.
Resort facilities include:
* Restaurant, cafe bar and market
* 5 outdoor swimming pools and indoor
heated pool
* Health and beauty centre
* Fitness centre and sauna
* Tennis court
* Aqua park and watersports
* Mini golf area
* 400m long sandy private beach
* Beach volleyball, table tennis, billiards,
ground chess and open air cinema
* Children's playing area
* Mini marina
Camellia Court, Altinkum The new Camellia Court development in Altinkum is a fantastic opportunity to invest in a complex built to the highest standard and offering all the facilities you could wish for. The English translation of Altinkum is "golden sands" - very apt as the area boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and clearest sea in Turkey. The nearest airport to Altinkum is Bodrum which is 1 hour's drive away.
The area is steeped in history being ideally situated near Ephesus, Miletos and Prienne all of which are within an hour's drive.
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Akbuk
Akbuk set at the foot of gently sloping mountains and extending around a beautiful turquoise blue bay is fast becoming a hot spot for British buyers. For lovers of peace and tranquillity coupled with breathtaking views this is definitely the place to be. Although not a thriving tourist resort, Akbuk offers charm and a feel of the 'real' Turkey.
Akbuk used to be a small fishing port where the fishermen would go to catch delicious Aegean Sea bass. Today, however, Akbuk is rapidly growing into an elite tourist resort with its holiday complexes as well as summer houses, villas, harbour, and bustling hotels.
Property in Akbuk
Olive Gardens An exclusive luxury seaside development situated at picturesque Akbuk, with stunning sea and panaromic views, just 100 metres from the beach front. This stunning complex is the first to offer apartments and penthouses in this exclusive area. There is a choice of spacious two bedroom ground floor apartments or three bedroom penthouses all with wonderful sea views. Olive Gardens is a 4 phase project which will give very good capital growth potential through to 2010.
Green Hill Villas, Heraklia This exclusive community of villas is located on a hillside over looking the medieval village of Herakleaia and the Aegean Sea. The complex has more than 900 plots of land to build up to 5 bedroom villas with a private swimming pool. Each plot is 700 square metres, once you choose you plot and villa it will be completed within 4 months. Situated just 4000 metres to the beach, Green Hills will have a large communal pool, tennis courts, shops, restaurants, and a bus service to Akbuk and Altinkum.
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Buying in Turkey - Your questions answered
Q. Will the property be freehold?
A. Yes - all of our properties in Turkey are 'freehold'.
Q. On a new development, what is the average deposit required and can I pay in stage payments?
A. A £2,000 reservation fee and 30% as a deposit within four weeks is required. Most developers offer stage payments,
often with a degree of flexibility towards your own personal circumstances. This will be agreed at the time of purchase.
Q. What is the general buying process in Turkey?
A. Your lawyer should carry out the title checks after you pay the reservation fee. A contract will then be drawn up between the seller and purchaser. This will give details of the completion date, payment schedule and terms and conditions. When this is signed by all parties, the deposit is paid. You then apply for a security clearance to allow you to own a property in Turkey - this will often be applied for on your behalf by the developer. You can sign a Power of Attorney to conclude the necessary paperwork, if your circumstances require it.
Q. What documents are required?
A. Your passport(s) which will be copied and translated into Turkish along with passport sized photographs. The notary's office works together with the title deeds office and the Aegean Army. The translated documents will be checked by the army to ensure there is no record of criminal intent or activity against Turkey and that any property being purchased by a foreigner is not in the proximity to or intended to be used for any military purposes.
Q. After I have received the necessary permission to purchase, what happens next?
A. Pre-completion checks should be carried out by your lawyer. Following this, you (or your Power of Attorney) will sign a deed of transfer in front of an officer at the Land Registry, who then records you as the official owner of the property. The property tax is paid at this stage.
Q. What additional costs are there in relation to the purchase?
A. Stamp duty, legal fees, wealth tax and purchase tax. The latter is just 3% but sometimes
split 50/50 with the purchaser, so that you pay 1.5% of the amount shown on the title deeds.
Q. What is the weather like?
A. Similar to the UK but with much better temperatures! In winter, you'll find the temperatures by the south coast ranging between 5 and 15 degrees, in spring it rises to 25 degrees. The summer is usually dry and hot from May through to September peaking at 45 degrees, cooling again as we move into autumn back down from 25 to 15 degrees.
Q. Can I rent out my property?
A. Yes. The main season is from April to October you will still be able to rent it out over the winter at lower rates. At the height of the summer, you can expect a more than reasonable return.
Q. How does the general cost of living compare to the UK?
A.. You'll find most items up to 50% cheaper than in the UK, fresh produce is great value for money with electrical items being the most expensive.
Q. What is the government system in the country?
A. It is democratically elected as in the UK. Turkey is also one of the five permanent members of NATO.
