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FAQ 

Frequently Asked Questions

01. Who am I dealing with?
02. Am I allowed to buy a property in Turkey as a foreigner?
03. Am I allowed permanent Residence in Turkey?
04. What is a Tapu?
05. Can I finance a property in Turkey with a mortage?
06. Am I allowed to let my property?
07. What amount is to be expected when letting my property?
08. What are the fiscal consequences of owning a property in Turkey?
09. What is the expected increase in value?
10. What are the annually recurring expenses?
11. When will buildings be completed?
12. What infrastructure is provided?
13. Will an association of owners be set up?
14. How are the properties handed over?
15. What facilities are provided?
16. What is the travel time from the UK or from Ireland to Alanya?
17. How is healthcare in Alanya organised?
18. What is the climate like on the Turkish Riviera?
19. What about earthquakes?
20. How is transport organised?
21. How do I pay for any purchase?
22. Should I open a bank-account in Turkey?
23. What are the conditions for a viewing trip?
24. Are there more projects in the pipeline?

01. Who am I dealing with?

     If you buy property in Turkey you must realise that you are dealing with the legal seller. Many estate-agents act as a mediator between buyer and seller although, in most cases, they are not the legal proprietors. The name of the legal owner is mentioned in the seller’s certificate of ownership; this name must tally with the name registered in the public registers.  

     This entails that the name of the party selling  the property  mentioned in the provisional sales-agreement must be the same as the one registered on the certificate of ownership and in the public registers. 

     In the case of a new construction, apart from the seller’s obligations, the builder is also responsible for the correct execution and completion of the complex. This must be made clear in the provisional sales-agreement. 

02. Am I allowed to buy a Property in Turkey as a foreigner?

     The majority of EU members have the right to acquire the right to ownership in Turkey. However there are a number of restrictions that require a formal request for a permit. This procedure which may take from 4 to 6 weeks after which the certificate of ownership may be transferred to the buyer’s name. 

03. Am I allowed permanent Residence in Turkey?

     A tourist visa is sufficient for a stay of less than three consecutive months. This visa is obtained at the port of entry for ( €10.00 per person EU citizen). This means that you may travel in and out of Turkey for three months before you need to buy a new  visa.  

     As soon as the time-limit of 3 months has been exceeded you must (temporarily) leave Turkey. You need not return home. A day-trip to one of the Greek islands or Cyprus allows you to obtain a new  visa.

    Should you wish to stay in Turkey for over 3 months you can apply for a residents permit at your Turkish Embassy.

We will be happy to assist you with this procedure.

 04. What is a Tapu?

    A Tapu is a certified document issued by the land registry office to the property owner (title deed). 

05. Can I finance a Property in Turkey with a mortage?

As yet it is not possible to draw up a mortgage on real estate in Turkey. If you do not wish or are not able to finance the purchase of a residence through your own means, we advise you to look into the options of a second mortgage or of raising the current mortgage on your residence with your bank or your financial adviser. 



06. Am I allowed to let my Property?

Yes, you may let your residence. However you should take into account the fact that rental will be officially taxed in Turkey.


07. What amount is to be expected when letting my Property?

As the owner of the property you are free to decide at what amount you wish to let your residence in a certain period; however you should take the market prices into account. The travel industry in Alanya has attractive prices for all-in holidays. So we advise you not to let your residence at an extremely high rental. A rate of euro € 75,- per day in the high season is quite reasonable. 


08. What are the fiscal consequences of owning a Property in Turkey?

Most EU members have world wide taxation liabilities, therefore all clients have to look after their own financial affairs.

You are obliged to declare the value of the residence in Turkey to your relevant  tax authorities. 

If a property is held for at least 4 years there is no property tex payable an resale. 

In Turkey you do pay conveyance tax when buying and selling your residence. This amounts to 3% of the value as mentioned on the certificate of ownership.

If you have an income from employment or a business in Turkey you must pay the required taxes in Turkey.




09. What is the expected increase in value?

Ower the past 4 years property in Turkey has appreciated by 15-25 % per annum in the Alanya district.

10. What are the annually recurring expenses?

The following expenses recur annually: 

SERVICE FEES 

You pay service fees for maintenance and supervision of the complex. Depending on the project these fees vary from € 300,- to € 350,- a year. 

INSURANCES 

The annual premium for your insurances depends of the values that have to be insured. We are happy to assist you with your superstructure-, inventory and earthquake insurance. 

REAL-ESTATE TAXES 

This tax is 1% of the sales-price mentioned in your certificate of ownership. 

PUBLIC SERVICES

Waste/rubbish tax amounts to € 12,-. 

ELECTRICITY 

Registering a new connection is prised by the Electricity Co. Transferring a residential connection is € 20. 
Consumer-rates per kWh up to 150 kWh are ,11 cents. 
From 150 kWh rates are .17 cents. 
There are no standing charges. 

WATER 

Registering a new connection is set by Local Authority. 
Transferring a residential connection is € 40,50 
Consumer-rates per m3 are € 0.31 up to 20 m3. 
From 21 to 40 m3 rates are € 0,47. 
Monthly standing charges are € 8,75. 

The exchange rate of the Turkish lira determines the price in Euros. All prices mentioned are February 2004. We make a reservation for price modifications.


11. When will  buildings be completed?

Sunset Residence  III completed April 07

Sunset Residence  IV completed April 08

Sunset Residence  Villas completed September 07 (Estimated) 

Sunset Residence  V  to be advised

12. What infrastructure is provided?

All service connections are completed as part of the development work.

As soon as the complex is completed it is the responsibility of the municipal council in which the complex is situated to lay out streets according to the zoning-scheme.


13. Will an association of owners be set up?

The building management will see to it that an association of owners is set up shortly after completion of the complex.


14. How are properties handed over?

All our appartment are delivered turn-keys per our specification.


15. What facilities are provided?

Standard features of our complexes are: a large swimming pool (with or without a bar), a gym, a sauna, kids play areas, fire-protection and fire-escapes, 24 hour security and garden-lighting. There is a community aerial for reception of foreign channels and an emergency generator in case of a power-cut. The complexes are supervised by one or more caretakers who see to the maintenance and safety of our complexes.


16. What is the travel time from the UK or from Ireland to Alanya?

The flight from the UK or from Ireland to Antalya airport is approx. 4 hours. From Antalya airport to Alanya the drive is approx. 1.25 hours. During the summer of 2006 extra flights were laid on to handle the  increasing demand.


17. How is healthcare in Alanya organised?

Alanya has a number of excellent private clinics. We have a special agreement with 3 of these clinics to supply fast and effective healthcare when such is desired. 



18. What is the climate like on the Turkish Riviera?

Alanya is one of the hottest places in Turkey . It has a sub-tropical climate which makes spending winter there very agreeable. In summer temperatures can rise to over 30 degrees Centigrade, in winter temperatures vary around 15 degrees C. July and August are the hottest months.


19. What about earthquakes?

There are no defined fault lines in the Alanya area. However current Goverment legislation requires that all buildings are designed and constructed to full earthquake design standards.

20. How is transport organised?

There is a transfer service for all residents and tenants to and from the airport for € 60.00

Public transport in Alanya is extremely well-organised by the so-called dolmus buses. These are medium-sized buses which frequently transport passengers to different areas in town and the surroundings of Alanya. You can stop a dolmus at any moment to get on or off. 



21. How do I pay for any purchase?

When paying for a residence in Turkey it is usual to pay cash or by banker’s order. Transfers from your home bank are very common as well. 



22. Should I open a bank-account in Turkey?

We advise you to open a separate bank-account in Turkey for Turkish Lira and for Euros. When purchasing a residence you do not need these accounts immediately, however at a later date it is convenient to have your standing charges automatically paid from your bank-account.


23. What are the conditions for a viewing trip?

Inspection trips all year-round  

Sunset Developments offer the opportunity to view our projects as well as their surroundings for three to four days, with supervision in English by one of our staff. Inspection trips are organised every second week or as demand requires.
A Unique Offer: 

You may choose to be accommodated in one of our fully furnished apartments in our magnificent complex Sunset Residence I,II or III  in order to gain the best possible impression of the Sunset Developments complex and its immediate surroundings. You may use all the facilities that Sunset Residence has to offer. 

Booking  

At the moment we arrange our clients viewing trips through our travel agent in our Irish / Turkish offices, for full details click on "Viewing Trip" on the Home Page. and directly with Travel Counsellors ( www.travelcounsellors.ie ) contact Deirdre Littlewood 0719622918. They will assist you in every way and we will take care of the rest once you arrive. 

If a purchase is made, travel expenses will be subtracted from the purchase sum to a maximum  of € 700,- (a maximum of € 350,- per person).

Inspection trip conditions: 

- Bookings are confirmed as definite after receipt of payment. 
- Departure times and flight numbers are passed on approximately one week before departure. 
- Viewing trips are meant solely for potential buyers 
- Tickets are non-transferable and will not be taken back after booking. 

Official Travel Agents for Sunset Developments

 Yeni Mah. Vatan Cad. Ezgi Sitesi No.1

 Mahmutlar/Alanya/TURKEY

 Tel:  0090 242 528 53 02

 Fax: 0090 242 528 69 38 

 E-Mail: info@sunsetdevelopments.com


24. Are there more projects in the pipeline?

Yes. At the moment we have a large land bank that  we have invested in throughout the Turkish Riviera. We keep you updated via our website and through our newsletter about new developments. We are  currently looking at plans to develop a new neighbourhood centre and golf village overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.