The hottest Turkish property spots for 2008

Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, the UK’s leading source of information on Turkish property, picks the hottest property spots for the year ahead.

With Turkey gearing up for a record-breaking tourist season in 2008, with 25 million visitors expected, it also looks set to be a busy year for estate agents and developers along the country’s beautiful Mediterranean coast. The affordability of Turkish property, particularly compared to Spain and Portugal, is a major attraction for British buyers, along with the country’s excellent climate, beautiful scenery and the government’s ambitious tourism development plans. Shrugging off worries about global recession and a credit crunch, the Turkish property market is expected to perform well this year, with average price increases in the resorts of 15% forecast – or higher in some of the coastal hot spots.

Dalaman

Dalaman is set to be a hot spot for 2008 with the announcement by low-cost airline Easyjet of a new service between Gatwick and Dalaman airport, 4 times a week starting in March.

“The long-anticipated arrival of no-thrills flights to the Turkish coast is big news,” says Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide. “Improving access from the UK should have a very positive effect on tourism and the property market in Dalaman and other nearby resorts – with a recent Europe-wide study by Savills finding an average price premium of 37% for property in an area served by a budget airline.”

Adding to the area’s appeal is a 18-hole golf course due for completion at the end of the year and 70,000 new hotel beds being created under ambitious government-led development plans. A road tunnel, opened in 2006, brings the upmarket yachting resort of Gocek within 15 minutes drive. Local developer, Curbanoglu, have property in the beautiful rural area of Akkaya, which overlooks a lake and unspoilt mountains just 15 minutes from Dalaman and its international airport.

“This is a unique spot due to its spectacular rural location and there are a range of apartments, villas and bungalows with communal facilities including a stream-side café and bar, swimming pools and a shuttle bus into town,” says Dominic Whiting.

Apartments in Akkaya Gardens range from £44,000-£72,000; the semi-detached Lakeside Villas have three-bedrooms and cost £79,000 or detached villas with private pools at The Hills range from £134,000-£156,000.

Bodrum

The Bodrum peninsular is one of Turkey’s most popular areas for British property buyers – and that doesn’t look like changing in 2008.

“Bodrum has a great choice of property – from city centre apartments to sea view villas or multi-million pound palaces; along with excellent nightlife, entertainment, dining and leisure facilities,” says Dominic Whiting. “Along with thousands of British and European tourists, Bodrum attracts the cream of Turkish society, who come each summer to see and be seen.”

Local planning controls limit the height of building but there has been a lot of development in recent years. This makes choosing a high-quality property in a good location essential if you intend to rent or resell. Avoid the cheaper re-sale properties, which are often poor quality. Buy from a well-established company with a proven track record of sales to foreigners.

Despite significant increases, local prices remain affordable with new apartments costing £60,000-£90,000; and villas available from £130,000. The village of Gumusluk with its small beach, harbourside fish restaurants and pretty surroundings is very popular. Local developer Harmony Homes have two-bedroom apartments with sea views ready to move into for £63,000 and £75,000.

In neighbouring Yalikavak the sea-front promenade and town centre have been sensitively redeveloped and a plush marina adds to the resort’s appeal. Many properties have sea views and local prices have risen sharply on the back of strong demand. Harmony Homes have two-bedroom apartments at their 14-unit Beach Park, which is just 100 metres from a sandy beach, available from £72,000-£86,000.

A number of new developments are underway in Tuzla near two golf courses under construction. Most have good on-site facilities, which is important as Bodrum town is a 15-minute drive away. One-bedroom apartments are available for £54,000 and two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments for £79,000 at the Harmony Dream Village. The development has a fitness centre and sauna, children’s play area, communal outdoor and heated indoor swimming pools and spacious landscaped communal gardens.

Cesme

The small Aegean resort of Cesme has become the darling of the Turkish media and the Istanbul jet set. Despite its domestic appeal, very few foreign buyers have discovered it great sandy beaches, varied dining, lively nightlife and world-class windsurfing – a notable exception being the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who is rumoured to have bought a $17 million plot of land for development in the area. Top local spots include the atmospheric former Greek village of Alacati, which has a marina and several ambitious waterside developments.

“The Cesme market has been red-hot thanks to strong demand from Turkish buyers, and this domestic popularity makes property in the area a good investment. It is also ideal for people who want to be in a real Turkish resort and not surrounded by foreign tourists,” comments Dominic Whiting.

New apartments are available from £68,000 with new semi-detached, three bedroom villas, the standard local offering, starting from £130,000.

For more information about Turkish property get the Buying in Turkey guide, available online at buyinginguides.info , Amazon.co.uk or good bookshops.