| An established package holiday destination, Turkey | | | | when you have someone working on the house." |
| has recently emerged as one of the hottest new | | | | Belek is Turkey's foremost golfing centre, with no less |
| property spots in the Mediterranean. Good beaches, | | | | than 6 international standard courses. A 20-minute |
| great scenery and prices much lower than the region's | | | | drive from the city of Antalya and airport, the resort |
| more established property markets, like Spain and | | | | has a long stretch of golden sand too. Not surprisingly, |
| France, have encouraged huge excitement from | | | | Belek is a property hot-spot, with over 35 new |
| holiday home buyers. Despite a difficult year in | | | | developments in the area. Do your research carefully, |
| 2005,Tukrish when the country's property laws were | | | | as not all are offering value for money. Check the |
| re-drafted leaving thousands of property transactions | | | | details of each development and compare facilities, the |
| frozen for over 6 months, the future looks exciting. | | | | size of units and building specifications. Prices start |
| New golf courses and marinas, better roads and | | | | from £119,000 for a three-bedroom semi-detached |
| expanded airports, are adding to the country's appeal, | | | | villa or £145,000 for a detached property bought |
| while the possibility of EU membership in the | | | | off-plan. |
| not-too-distant-future, also bodes well for those | | | | "Belek is a really exciting area because of the golf and |
| investing in Turkish property. The rental market is | | | | easy access to the airport," says Taylan Gundeslioglu, |
| starting to develop in the main resorts, such as | | | | owner of Letsgototurkey construction and estate |
| Bodrum, Altinkum, Fethiye, Kalkan, Side and Alanya, | | | | agency. "But only recently have good quality properties |
| with short-term and holiday lets arranged through tour | | | | become available." |
| operators, management agents or one of the many | | | | Once a Roman slave market, the resort of Side has |
| new rental websites. However, as a word of caution, | | | | white sand beaches and some impressive ancient |
| remember that in an increasingly crowded | | | | remains, including an amphitheatre and the evocative |
| marketplace, you need to carefully choose your | | | | waterside colonnade of the Temple of Apollo. Due to |
| property in order to achieve reliable rental returns. | | | | its archaeological importance, development is strictly |
| So where are Turkish Riviera's most popular places to | | | | controlled around the resort itself, but there are |
| buy? | | | | numerous villa and apartment complexes nearby. A |
| "We decided to buy a villa in Fethiye because it is a | | | | two-bedroom apartment typically costs from |
| proper town and doesn't close down in the winter," | | | | £55,000-£80,000. |
| says Tim Goodman, who moved out from Newcastle | | | | Alanya is one of the Mediterranean's hottest property |
| with his wife Jenny in 2004. "We love our new life, | | | | spots thanks to its Blue Flag beaches, excellent leisure |
| although it took us a while to get used to some things, | | | | facilities and entertainment. The sea-girt castle - built by |
| like the crazy Turkish driving and the summer heat!" | | | | the Selcuk Turks - is another popular attraction. The |
| Tim and Jenny have also found it frustrating not to be | | | | local property market is dominated by apartments, |
| able to speak to their Turkish neighbours, so they | | | | which start from about £65,000 for a two-bedroom |
| recently started language lessons twice a week. | | | | unit near the centre of town. But a 15-minute bus ride |
| "Turkish people are so friendly and welcoming, but we | | | | away to Mahmutlar and prices drop to under |
| wanted to be able to have a conversation," explains | | | | £50,000 for a similar size place on a new complex |
| Jenny. "It is also useful to have some simple phrases | | | | with good facilities. |