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THE NEW TITLE DEED LAW GOES TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

The Prime Minister’s office has sent the new title deed (Tapu) law that allows foreigners to buy property in Turkey to The Turkish National Grand Assembly.

The Government has changed the parts of the law abolished by the Constitutional Court. In the new law, foreigners are allowed to buy property accounting for up to 10% of the city boundaries within the development or future development plan. Each city title deed office will announce the qouta every year in January.

Military Checks Finishing

The Ministry of Defence will give the military plans to each title deed office. As a result of this, foreigners who would normally have to apply for military clearance will now not be required to do so . The clearance checks, which in some cases were taking 6-8 months to complete, should now be dealt with in 1 day at the local title deed office.

Sources claim the new law will be passed through parliament within 2 weeks.

Didim � �on course for the future�

With news being recently released from the Ministry of tourism that Didim has been ear-marked for 9 of the 36 plots allocated for Golf courses across the country, means great opportunities for national, and international golfers as well as potential real estate owners.

Golf is one of the worlds most popular sports and plays a huge role in the tourism sector. Climate and geographical location are important factors in meeting the demand of golfers from all over the world. The temperate climate of Didim, and its close proximity to both Izmir, and Bodrum airports make it an ideal year - round golfing location. Didim also has the added bonus of being close to the historical sites of Ephesus, Miletos, and Priene – as well as its own Apollon Temple. Although golfers will have to wait a little longer for Didims first golf club open its doors, interest in the area is expected to increase dramatically.

Is golf in Turkey something new? Not quite so…Golf was introduced to Turkey at the end of the 1800’s with the first golf club being founded in Istanbul in 1885. Tourism in Antalya, has seen a beneficial increase since the opening of its first course in Belek in 1994. With the first two Didim courses being planned for the Akbuk area, foreign investors will soon learn what the discerning Turk has known for years, Akbuk, with its pine - clad mountain backdrop, and spectacular views of the bay is not only a holiday haven, but also has great health benefits – especially for those with Asthma. This is a great time to invest in Didim - watch your investment grow along with the towns plans to become a five star resort.

Its not only golf bringing Didim to the ‘fore’, the long awaitedMarina– due for completion 2009 - has already had a huge impact on property prices in Altinkum and its surrounding areas. Didim Marina, which is being built by the Doğuş Group will have space for 800 yachts. The Mayor of Didim ‘Mumin Kamacı’ envisages Didim becoming one of the most attractive tourism resorts in Europe – a vision the people are proud to share. Having once been the best kept secret of the Aegean, Didim can now take its rightful place as a jewel in the crown of Aegean resorts.

Overseas Investors 'Should Buy In Turkey'

Foreign property buyers have been advised to consider investing in the Turkish housing market.

The south-east European country was recommended by Dubai-based news portal 7Days, which said it offered "fantastic" opportunities for property investors.

Turkey was praised for offering a number of tempting attractions, such as scenic coastlines, excellent weather and good value for money.

The website added that Aegean Coastline was a "beautifully rugged" area that combined both modern facilities and attractions with elements of its past.

Furthermore, it said that the local airports ( İzmir, Bodrum ) were the busiest in the whole of Turkey, making the region highly accessible from different parts of the world.

According to a survey carried out by A Place in the Sun magazine, the country is the third most popular foreign market among British property buyers.

NEW DİDİM MARINA PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO OFFER EXCELLENT INVESTMENT POTENTIAL TO BUYERS OF PROPERTY IN THE AREA.

The new Didim Marina project is expected to offer excellent investment potential to buyers of property in the Altinkum-Didim area.

The marina will have the capacity for 623 berthed yachts as well as 600 yachts in dry dock, a yacht club, heliport, yacht lift for 300 and 100 tonnes, and a swimming pool.

The marina will serve mainly yachts of 75-150 metres long, such as mega-yachts which are increasingly in popularity on the Aegean and east Mediterannean seaboard.

There will also be a shopping centre, supermarkets, yacht equipment shops, a fitness centre and sports facilities, banks, a petrol station, restaurants, hotels and a cultural centre.

Two new golf courses are also planned for the area.

In an area where prices are already rising, both land and property prices in the Didim area are expected to soar once the marina construction is complete, which is expected to be in 2009. The marina will attract big investors to the area and it is hoped that Didim will become the tourism capital of the Aegean alongside other nearby tourist resorts of Kuşadası and Bodrum. Those investing in Didim now are going to find their investments extremely profitable in the near future.

There has been no better time to invest in the area.

Turkey investors to benefit from economic growth

Owners of Turkish Property may be likely to benefit from continuing economic growth in the country.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) stated that between now and 2009, its economy would expand by six per cent.

A report by the body, which was cited by the Guardian, said that achieving this figure was a possibility assuming that Turkey was able to avoid any unforeseen events that could negatively impact on its growth.

OECD said: "If the pending reforms targeted by the government are implemented assertively, this could accelerate Turkey's shift to a stronger growth rate."

The organisation's economic outlook is more optimistic than that of the Turkish government, which has forecast growth of 5.5 per cent over the next two years.

However, both estimates will be positive reading for owners of property in the country, including both investment buyers and those with holiday homes.

According to BuyAssociation, Turkey has become more popular with foreign investors in recent years because airlines have made it much easier to reach.

Promotional drive launched by Turkish government

A Turkish newspaper has revealed that the government is set to launch a major worldwide marketing campaign.

Today's Zaman reports that the country's tourism ministry is spending about £60 million on promoting its holiday attractions across the world.

It is hoped that by advertising its natural and manmade assets in other countries, Turkey can attract a greater number of foreign visitors.

In order to reach the largest possible consumer base, the promotional drive will encompass a number of different media, such as video clips, billboards and online advertisements.

This coincides with a media report in the UK which has revealed that a growing number of Britons are taking holidays in Turkey.

An officer from the Association of British Travel Agents told the Western Mail that there had been a "resurgence" in the country's tourist sector during 2007, and added that on a year-by-year basis, the number of air passengers going to Turkey rose by 87,000.

Turkish House Prices May Grow Significantly

Investors in the Turkish housing market could be set to benefit from significant increases in property values.

According to Foreign Property Buyer, the ongoing negotiations regarding Turkey's entry into the European Union could be beneficial for overseas investors.

The website stated that since talks on its possible accession were already underway, the country offered "immense potential" for capital appreciation.

This, combined with the possibility of earning rental income from people such as holidaymakers, could make a Turkish investment highly lucrative.

Foreign Property Buyer added that Britons accounted for the largest group of overseas investors in Turkey, with many opting for new-build homes.

The country was described as a "land of promise" for second home owners, as it was a growing market that offered culture, leisure attractions and easy access from the UK and other European destinations.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Statistics Institute has revealed that the number of foreign leisure travellers arriving in Turkey has risen by more than 15 per cent in the last year.

Turkey 'good for winter sports'!

A Turkish newspaper has advised leisure travellers to consider visiting the country during its peak skiing season.

The New Anatolian stated that Turkey offered a number of attractions for winter sports fans, particularly between December and March.

Resorts such as Uludag, Davraz, Zigana and Kartalkaya were highlighted as some of the most popular ski resorts in the country, along with Ilgaz and Palandoken.

The newspaper commented: "Turkey is an important centre of winter activities and attractions with its high-altitude mountains covered with snow all throughout the year."

According to the publication, the country had become an "important centre" for winter tourism, as activities such as skiing have been growing in popularity.

The New Anatolian added Turkey's skiing facilities were improving "each and every year", especially with this year's good snowfall and "stunning" mountains.

This comes after the Turkish Daily News cited figures from Turofed showing that the country attracted 22.3 million tourists between January and November 2007.

Bodrum Consulate on the Move!

RESIDENTS in Altınkum looking to renew their passports at the British consulate in Bodrum may have a bit more searching to do.

The Consulate moved offices on Friday December 7 and are now located at

Cafer Paşa Caddesi, 2 Emsan Evleri No: 7, Bodrum. If you get lost you can always call the staff on 0252 3130021 or 0252 3130022 for details of how to find them. Or email them at honconbod2@superonline.com

You can siply reach going by car driving to Bodrum and take the left turning signposted ‘Şehir Merkezi’.

Follow the road to the harbour and drive along the harbour road and past all the yachts/boats, Marks & Spencer and retail outlets.

Towards the end of the harbour, the road then bends round to the right and goes up an incline. Coming down from the top, the road forks. Take the right fork and the Consulate building is a hundred metres down on the left, (no sign up yet), but it is to the right of the building housing Aegean Travel.

The consulate is now issuing 36 page biometric passports. This type of passport contains a microchip which stores the passport holder’s photo and other personal details contained within the passport.

The two photos provided to the Consulate must measure 35 x 45mm. The face in the photo must measure (from top of head to chin) no more than 34mm and no less than 29mm, on a white background.

Photos provided not meeting these specifications will be rejected. This is because the chip holds facial recognition information which maps various features on the face, for example, the distances between eyes, nose, mouth and ears.

The measurements are digitally coded and can therefore be used for comparison and verification purposes. The use of biometric information to link a person to a passport can help identify fraud.

The cost of a biometric passport is 325 YTL. Passports are usually ready to be collected within 10 workings days, although that they are generally being issued in 5 working days.

The article first appeared in Voices Newspaper.

Could Turkey be the new Spain?

TURKEY is becoming increasingly popular with Brits buying abroad, with 17,000 homes now under UK ownership.

And with apartments costing as little as £20,000 and the sun shining for more than 300 days of the year, it’s easy to see why.

The trend shows no signs of letting up, with bargain hunters searching the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts for affordable places in golf and beach resorts.

And with massive investment in airports, hotels, marinas and tourist hotspots, some property experts are predicting Turkey could soon overtake Spain as Brits’ favourite spot for a holiday home.

The most popular area is the coastline between Kusadasi in the north and Alanya in the south-east, which includes the resorts of Bodrum, Marmaris and Izmir.

Michael Johns, of agents the Right Move Abroad, says: “Altinkum has the nicest beaches in Turkey and demand will only increase with two new golf courses planned in the area and a marina to be completed by 2009.”

There are also ambitious plans for Dalaman, including new golf and leisure resorts close to the airport.

One of the downsides of this popularity is that flights have been hard to find recently – although one of the major no-frills airlines is planning more routes to Turkey and a new international airport opens in Alanya next year.

Not everyone is talking up Turkey, however, and a few agents believe some resorts have the same problems as parts of Spain. There is already talk of oversupply in some areas, cheap-looking apartments and arrests of town officials for approving illegal planning permissions.

And when it comes to paying for your home, British buyers will find it far easier in Spain. Most who buy in Turkey either pay in cash or borrow from the equity on their UK home rather than take out a Turkish mortgage.

Things are set to get better, with a new mortgage law in Turkey opening the doors for British buyers to borrow money locally.

High prices on the Spanish Costas left Steve and Ann Jackson wondering where to buy a holiday villa… until friends told them to try Turkey.

“We’d never even thought of Turkey but when we got to Kusadasi we found the people really friendly and we loved the lifestyle,” says Ann. “It’s got a harbour, markets and one of the best sunsets I’ve seen.”

The article first appeared in the UK`s Sunday Mirror.

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