Which part of the city?
Apartment hunting in Istanbul tends to concentrate in three bands: Beyoğlu, Şişli and Kağıthane for central living and rental yield; Beylikdüzü, Büyükçekmece and Başakşehir for newer buildings and larger floor areas; Fatih and Eyüpsultan for historic fabric and investment. Walking distance to a metro station moves the price more than almost anything else, new build or resale.
What to check on a listing
- Gross vs. usable area: Turkish listings usually quote the gross figure; the usable area is stated separately in the details table.
- Title deed: a flat with condominium title (kat mülkiyeti) moves through financing and transfer with fewer surprises than one still on construction servitude.
- Monthly dues: in a managed compound, security, parking and facilities come as dues — budget for them alongside the price.
- Age and floor: buildings after 2000 follow a different earthquake code, and a mid-floor flat is cheaper to heat.
For foreign buyers
No residence permit is needed to buy. The deed transfer is completed with a tax number, your passport and a sworn translator, and a valuation report is mandatory for foreign buyers. Purchases of USD 400,000 and above qualify for Turkish citizenship, subject to a three-year commitment not to sell; qualifying listings are marked in the results.