21 replies to this topic

[Pea]

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to find other people, who had purchased on Life Studio's, in Istanbul.
I thought it would be good, to sick together, as investors, and share experiences.
Gashead, which agent did you purchase with?, what country are you in?
Do you know wheather, all the apartments are sold?
Also what is your completion date?

Regards

Pea

[andy5446]

Pea,

I have bought in Life Studio - how are you getting on?

Andy

[Abi]

I'm glad to see that you are all getting together, I look forward to reading your future posts to see how it all goes.

[Gashead]

Hi Andy Pea and Abi. Firstly Abi thanks for getting back to me. Secondly Pea I am sorry that I did not see your message on 31 January. I was not being rude, honestly.
I am still trying to become familiar with this forum and do not know why I did not get aletred to your message.
I bought through Emerging Real Estate but I am having real problems getting anything out of the excuse for a lawyer that they recommended (although if I am fair I have not yet checked all my emails from today).
I am based in Bristol and I believe my sale may have been completed because I have been approached by a letting agent, but my lawyer has told me nothing.
How are you getting on Bea and Andy?
Who did you purchase through?
Have your purchases completed yet? Where are you located?

Incidentally I came back to this site in response to a message from Abi this morning, but interestingly when I came home tonight the forum came up on a Google Alert that I have set up for Life Studios Istanbul. But with Beas message going back to 31 January. Wierd!

All the best


Keith

[Pea]

Hi Keith

I'm glad that you managed to contact us again.
I've just sent a pm to Andy, but i hadn't seen your message yet.
I'm also with the reccommended solicitor, he told me he had another investor, from the same development, so it must be you. I understand what your saying about the solicitor, my mortgage broker has done more for me, than he has. I have to update the solicitor, as he doesn't know what's going on.
I purchased through The Rightmove abroad, but they went bust.
I got an e-mail from a letting company as well, so Coldwell Banker will not be letting the apartments.
I've also had to change blocks, because of delays.

Regards

Paulette

Edited by Ken, 02 September 2010 - 05:58 PM.

[andy5446]

Hi All,

I have two apartments, one in Block 2 and one in Block 3.

I bought through Emerging Real Estate, and the solicitor was the recommended one, this is the email address: senayvural@istanbulbarosu.org.tr

Currently I have paid the deposit, and nothing else, however they are pushing for the military clearance etc.

I dont know the current state of the build, but was planning to visit before paying anymore money, I was also planning to let the apartments out.

Regards

Andy

[Pea]

Hi Guys

I've just got back, after 3 weeks away, and i recieved an email from the builder, to say the building they have now put me in is complete.
I have to send a translated copy of my passport, in order to apply for military clearence.
I'm not sure weather, i want to sell now, or complete, i'm in two minds.

Pea

[Abi]

Hi Pea, thanks for the update. I'm rather concerned as to why your builders are only now applying for military clearance as they should have applied ages ago.

[andy5446]

I too have been asked to provide this, but it has gone quiet for a bit - I am unsure of the state of the build at the moment.

Pea, you say you are not sure whether to sell or complete, where you considering selling before completion?

Andy

[Pea]

Hi Pea, thanks for the update. I'm rather concerned as to why your builders are only now applying for military clearance as they should have applied ages ago.

Hi Abi
I applied for Military Clearence last year, but something must have happened, as i was told i would have to change building, same apartment & floor.
So because i had already paid, for military clearence, the builder had to pay for my new one.
But the builder said, i can have my key, and move in, untill the military clearence comes,
I won't be moving in though, as this is an investment.
Regards

Pea

I too have been asked to provide this, but it has gone quiet for a bit - I am unsure of the state of the build at the moment.

Pea, you say you are not sure whether to sell or complete, where you considering selling before completion?

Andy

Hi Andy

I wasn't considering selling, but i'm having a few problems, with another investment i have in Fuerteventura. Basically I've found that,most letting agents, not all of them, are rip off artist.
I've contacted the letting agent, that they put on to me, to enquire about letting my 1 bedroom apt.
He said it's about 450TYL per month, then he has a list of things, that the company will do for you, which amounts to 1947TYL.
Send them an email, to enquire about letting a 1 bedroom apt, or a 2 bed if you have one, so at least you will have, an idea of what they want,you to pay them.
By the way, i decided to complete first, i'll see how things go, and then i might sell.

Pea

[Goreme1990]

Hi Andy and Pea,

I am a new member of Turkey Central, and am currently living in Istanbul with my husband Kim. I am in the middle of buying an apartment here and have read your exchange with interest. I noted you paid to have a military clearance done. My solicitor, who is also a friend, informed me there is no set fee for this. He was told by a friend of his, who is a former director of one of the Asian tapu offices, that there may be some small fee for checking that the paper work has been completed. So ask to see receipts from the builder for this, as he might be just padding your bill.

Also, you really need to see the finished apartment to check everything yourself, because when the agents say the apartment is finished, the meaning will be different from what you expect. For example, if the gas metre is not connected and a plan of the gas pipes not drawn up, you will have to pay extra to get these things done. Going on our experience, certain agents are really good at not answering your questions and therefore lying by ommission, but most of the time they just lie.

With regard to letting your property, it is usual here for Turkish real estate agents to charge the tenants 12% of one year's rent to get their money. The owner does not pay them commission. Also, light fittings, etc are usually brought in by the tenant and removed when they go. The same goes for floor coverings etc, so if you are buying a brand new apartment, it may not be in the same state when the tenants finally leave. Unfortunately real estate agents here go above and beyond the usual tricks, and you have to be really really careful.

If we can be of any help let me know. We would hate for someone else to go through the shocks and surprises we have dealt with in the past few weeks.

Cheers
Lisa

[Abi]

Thanks for you input Lisa, yes you're right it can be a battle field out there. Hope your purchase goes through without a hitch

[Pea]

Hi Andy and Pea,

I am a new member of Turkey Central, and am currently living in Istanbul with my husband Kim. I am in the middle of buying an apartment here and have read your exchange with interest. I noted you paid to have a military clearance done. My solicitor, who is also a friend, informed me there is no set fee for this. He was told by a friend of his, who is a former director of one of the Asian tapu offices, that there may be some small fee for checking that the paper work has been completed. So ask to see receipts from the builder for this, as he might be just padding your bill.

Also, you really need to see the finished apartment to check everything yourself, because when the agents say the apartment is finished, the meaning will be different from what you expect. For example, if the gas metre is not connected and a plan of the gas pipes not drawn up, you will have to pay extra to get these things done. Going on our experience, certain agents are really good at not answering your questions and therefore lying by ommission, but most of the time they just lie.

With regard to letting your property, it is usual here for Turkish real estate agents to charge the tenants 12% of one year's rent to get their money. The owner does not pay them commission. Also, light fittings, etc are usually brought in by the tenant and removed when they go. The same goes for floor coverings etc, so if you are buying a brand new apartment, it may not be in the same state when the tenants finally leave. Unfortunately real estate agents here go above and beyond the usual tricks, and you have to be really really careful.

If we can be of any help let me know. We would hate for someone else to go through the shocks and surprises we have dealt with in the past few weeks.

Cheers
Lisa

Hi Everyone

Thanks Lisa, for the information, i'll keep in contact.
I've just come back, from the Notary office, i had to get mine & my cousin's,
passport notarised, it cost us £60 each, and now i have to drive, up to Milton Keynes.
So the Foreign Commonwealth Office can apostill them, that's another £28 each.
I'm going to have to, send the builder the bill.
Guys, if you haven't already done this, then you need to get a move on, coz if you can't make it to Milton Keynes, then you'll have to do it by post, and i've been told it could take upto 2 weeks max.

Pea

[andy5446]

Pea,

I have been asked to get this done also, but have been putting it off really.

I thought the only place I could go was the Commonwealth Office in London, can this be done in Milton Keynes also?

I have not been contacted by the solicitor to get this done, so I was assuming the apartment was not ready.

Anybody with information on the current state of the apartments, letting agents and anything else that might be useful as it gets closer to completion.

Thanks

Andy

[Ken]

Admin note: To reply without quoting the previous post, go down to the bottom of the posts and click "fast reply," otherwise the forum fills up with quote after quote. I think the "fast reply" is the button you're lookin' for!

[Pea]

Hi Andy

I've just had another look, at your pass messages, you have a different solicitor than me.
Not that it makes a difference, i suppose there just the same.
It wasn't my solicitor who pushed for completion, it was my mortgage broker, he's been so good.
Why have you been putting off, going to the commonwealth office?
You have to go to the, Milton Keynes commonwealth office, as the one in London is for businesses only, and you have to create an account with them, also it's £70 each to have your passport apostilled at the London office, compared to £28 at the Milton Keynes office.

Regards

Pea
Ps Thanks Keith, your a mind reader

Edited by Pea, 05 September 2010 - 04:17 PM.

[andy5446]

Pea,

Thanks for the info on the Commonwealth Office that will be easier and cheaper...

Are you looking at renting your apartment and have you had any contact with any of them.

It would be very, very useful if all the people who have apartments to share there thoughts, experiences on this as we will all benefit I am sure.

I plan to visit before completion to check the apartment and hopefully find out the best way of renting the apartments.

Regards

Andy

[Pea]

Hi Andy and Pea,

I am a new member of Turkey Central, and am currently living in Istanbul with my husband Kim. I am in the middle of buying an apartment here and have read your exchange with interest. I noted you paid to have a military clearance done. My solicitor, who is also a friend, informed me there is no set fee for this. He was told by a friend of his, who is a former director of one of the Asian tapu offices, that there may be some small fee for checking that the paper work has been completed. So ask to see receipts from the builder for this, as he might be just padding your bill.

Also, you really need to see the finished apartment to check everything yourself, because when the agents say the apartment is finished, the meaning will be different from what you expect. For example, if the gas metre is not connected and a plan of the gas pipes not drawn up, you will have to pay extra to get these things done. Going on our experience, certain agents are really good at not answering your questions and therefore lying by ommission, but most of the time they just lie.

With regard to letting your property, it is usual here for Turkish real estate agents to charge the tenants 12% of one year's rent to get their money. The owner does not pay them commission. Also, light fittings, etc are usually brought in by the tenant and removed when they go. The same goes for floor coverings etc, so if you are buying a brand new apartment, it may not be in the same state when the tenants finally leave. Unfortunately real estate agents here go above and beyond the usual tricks, and you have to be really really careful.

If we can be of any help let me know. We would hate for someone else to go through the shocks and surprises we have dealt with in the past few weeks.

Cheers
Lisa

Hi Lisa

I've purchased an apartment, in the Buyukcekmece area, of Istanbul.
What area did you purchase in?
Is your solicitor based in Istanbul?

Regards
Pea

Pea,

Thanks for the info on the Commonwealth Office that will be easier and cheaper...

Are you looking at renting your apartment and have you had any contact with any of them.

It would be very, very useful if all the people who have apartments to share there thoughts, experiences on this as we will all benefit I am sure.

I plan to visit before completion to check the apartment and hopefully find out the best way of renting the apartments.

Regards

Andy

Hi andy

I did send a reply, but i must have pressed, the wrong button.
I was thinking about renting, i've been in contact, with the reccommended agent.
He sent me a list of things, that they would cover, which amounted to approx 1,975 Turkish Lira.
I could send you the email, if you want, let me know.
I'd like to go and view, the apartments before i complete, as well.

Regards

Pea

[Goreme1990]

Hi Pea,
I bought in Goztepe on the Asian side of Istanbul and my solicitor is based nearby. I have known him and his wife for 10 years and they are scrupulously honest. If you need the use of a new solicitor let me know and I can make him aware of your interest.
Cheers
Lisa

[andy5446]

Hi Pea,

Just a quick note to see how things are progressing your end and have you been over to view yet?

Regards

Andy


Hi andy

I did send a reply, but i must have pressed, the wrong button.
I was thinking about renting, i've been in contact, with the reccommended agent.
He sent me a list of things, that they would cover, which amounted to approx 1,975 Turkish Lira.
I could send you the email, if you want, let me know.
I'd like to go and view, the apartments before i complete, as well.

Regards

Pea
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