Finding the right estate agent

One of the most important contributors to the success of your purchase is going to be your estate agent. This means that you shouldn’t just pick the first agent you come across. You need to find someone who is registered, reliable, and who works hard to understand your needs and to find you properties that tick all your boxes.  One of the most important contributors to the success of your purchase is going to be your estate agent. This means that you shouldn’t just pick the first agent you come across. You need to find someone who is registered, reliable, and who works hard to understand your needs and to find you properties that tick all your boxes.

How do you know your estate agent is the right person to help you successfully purchase property in Turkey?

We always recommend buyers source an agent prior to heading to Turkey on a viewing trip. This approach means that you have time to get your agent clued up on your wish list, so that you don’t waste any time when you touch down in Turkey.

Before you decide upon an agent, you’ll need to ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you decided on an area, and if so, does the agent cover that area? Do they have the right kinds of properties on their books?
• What exactly do you want from a property? Be as specific as possible here, i.e., how many bedrooms do you need? Must you have off-road parking? What are your deal breakers? I.e. Not near a busy road, under a flight path, etc.
• What legalities are associated with the purchase? And what regulations will you need to adhere to during the process?

A good estate agent plays a pivotal role in the success of your move

Identifying the right agent

Once you’ve answered the above questions and established exactly what you’re looking for, you need to find the right agent. To help you make the right decision, you should make sure they are all of the below:

Accredited

It’s vital you choose an agent who is legally allowed to sell you property. In Turkey this means that they will need to be affiliated with the either the Federation of Turkish Estate Agents, or the Real Estate Association for the area or region that you are buying in, i.e. Kusadasi Real Estate Agents Association.

You need an agent who is going to work hard to find you the right property. They should reply to your correspondence in a timely manner, and demonstrate that they’ve listened to your instructions.

Excellent local knowledge

A good agent will be a fountain of local knowledge and information. They will know the areas you’re interested in inside and out, and will be able to suggest surrounding towns and villages that might also suit your needs. Your agent should know about schools, job opportunities, the best utility providers, local workmen, the best health clinics, when the bins get collected, and so on and so on.

Proactive

You need an agent who is going to work hard to find you the right property. They should reply to your correspondence in a timely manner, and demonstrate that they’ve listened to your instructions. Don’t be afraid to test your potential agents when making your decision. After you’ve contacted them to introduce yourself and your plans, see how long it takes them to respond, and when they do, ask yourself – were they helpful? A good agent will respond in a timely fashion, will demonstrate why they’re the best agent for the job, and will have a never-ending supply of satisfied customers to call upon.

Understanding of your needs

A clear sign of a good agent is someone who doesn’t want to waste your time (or theirs) taking you to view properties that don’t meet your brief. A good agent will listen to the seller and only show them realistic possibilities.