Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Property For Sale in Calis Beach & Turkey => Buying Property in Calis Beach, Fethiye and Turkey => Topic started by: Scunner on March 19, 2012, 18:55:20 PM
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I thought I would let people who may be interested know that the inspired risk free property purchase system at Assured Estate is now no longer offered. It was a brilliant idea - in a time where people were getting ripped off right left and centre - to hold buyer's payments safely until the developer/seller signs over the tapu.
The problem is, people today don't want risk free, they want a discount for paying all the money up front - to some guy they met 5 minutes earlier.
I only post to let you know from me. Cue the rumours - gone bust/closed down by the mafia/you name it...
I am not in the least bit bitter - far from it, things couldn't be better and I am working on all the things I wanted to for all those years - including my new websites and working with my great friends Cenk & Olga on a few interesting things. I no longer have the patience required to deal with idiot customers who don't want picking up too early and can spare us two hours on Thursday morning as they have to be finished viewing by one o'clock as they are meeting a friend for lunch. Have your £500 off or free washing machine as a fitting reward for sending your hard earned £100,000 straight away and exposing your entire investment to potential disaster - I no longer have the will, need or the patience to save you from yourselves :)
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I should also say, if anyone wants to spend £100,000 I am as capable of getting you a free washing machine for paying all the money up front as the next man ;)
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You can always borrow my brick wall, few spaces left. : :) ;)
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Thanks, my requirement for a brick wall disappeared when I decided the above :)
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How much is a 'Free' Turkish washing machine, (complete with villa, of course,) nowadays Boss ?? : :) ;)
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If they go bust before signing over the tapu, there is no washing machine - some technicality about not being able to plumb it in because the bank now owns the villa the customer's money is all gone?
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Wasn't this scheme a safe process for buying a property? If it was why can't someone wishing to purchase a villa use the scheme, or do you personally have to invest in this in advance? I'm puzzled.
We looked at this scheme a few years back and were interested. If things go to plan we may be looking at another property next year but without a safe scheme we'll possibly rent.
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No need to confuse yourself Martin :)
The system mainly held the purchase funds for a property until the property was built or in the case of resales until the paperwork was complete, and handed it over when the builder/vendor signed over the title deed. Pretty much like the way a Turk buys - when the property is signed over, you pay for it. As mentioned, people don't want risk free, they want a lump of money off for paying up front - I lost business because people preferred to pay up front with another agent because they got a better price for paying the lot 3 months before the tapu was even transferable, let alone transferred. Builders didn't like the Assured scheme but saw it would sell units to people that they may otherwise not have - but they certainly wouldn't wait till completion for their money AND give a discount so that was me getting my coat with that customer...
In essence, risk free lost out to discount for taking a huge risk - I'm happy enough to admit defeat, people are looking for a bargain these days. Too many people only view buying in a foreign country in terms of price, they forget to consider the potential cost of their actions. Having agreed to send 50 grand to people they hadn't even met last week, they are absolutely outraged at the 4 euros they paid on the way out for a can of Dalaman Fanta.
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great idea ahead of it's time but behind the wave, although seeing property in uk increaseing in value, green shoots first swallow etc I reckon Turkey property will pick up 2014 as uk and euroland gets it's act together. Kieth you can always beath new life into it again come the up swing.
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Gosh! I wish you were still doing the "risk-free" thing. We are very risk averse and would prefer to pay more and know we were safe. It is awful to hear that people expect to find somewhere after just a couple of hours viewing and then hand over their pounds or lira. It is such a big commitment to people like us that we would prefer to take ages but get it right. However, I am scared we will take many hours/days viewing and agents will get fed up with us. I think, now, the thing to do is go to agents who are recommended and use your own solicitor, or am I just being naive and too simplistic? By 8 October, I am sure these forums will be awash with agents complaining about the two mad English people who wanted to know the ins and outs of absolutely everything before making a decision (us). I apologise in advance.
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Believe me I have served my sentence - 10 years in real estate in Turkey is quite enough ;)
I work with several people in several different ways so I still have a hand in it. To be honest I never had a problem taking people back to see a property again (or indeed again and again) - it is very important that people choose the right property - for them of course but also a customer rushed/pressured into buying something they aren't entirely sure of can become a problem in waiting. If an agent sighs at the very sight of you it really is time to find a new agent. I always remind people that your relationship with your agent is far more important there than in the UK. Once you've agreed to buy in the UK it's over to the solicitor and the agent's work is done. In Turkey you may need to visit your agent dozens of times over many years as a point of contact/advice. That's what irritated me when people say about how much agents charge there compared with the UK. The difference is the UK agent earns it for a few days work, we earned it for possibly many years of support and advice. For that reason it is important that you trust (and like) your agent - you don't want to be buying with one who is all smiles till they get their fee then suddenly not answering the phone when you call.
I think (for the record) you are doing well. Your research has now found you three agents you are happy with - the rest is down to them putting you in front of the property you hoped for (and not the property they want you to buy). They are all well thought of locally and rightly so in my view. All good so far, keep it up ;)
I am always here if anyone wants to ask anything about buying/owning - either on the forum or privately via private message.
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You are one hell of a good guy Keith, not many of us left. ;) :)
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Agreed.
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Scunner, sosorry to read this posting from you. Jim and I have been talking to Olga and Cenk through the Rimms (our friends) and we are hoping to be able to buy something when we visit in October. We've visited the Rimms each year since they've had their house and we know the area well and are now able to think about a place for ourselves. When we discussed with them the first thingGeorge said was we'll speak to Keith, then to go to Cenk and Olga. I've had a couple of e-mails back and forth from them and they know our position. In all our discussions with the Rimms it has always been that we would ask the oracle for advice when we found the place we wanted, and the idea of you holding the money until it was all sorted gave us the safety net we needed. So can I ask, will you still do this if people request it of you, or does it mean you are no longer doing it at all. But still very sorry to hear what you've had to say. Helen
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Well I must say I wasn't expecting to see this topic return, or the subsequent outpouring of grief - but thanks all the same :)
No I am not in a position to do the Assured system as a one-off unfortunately, it was a little too involved for that - sorry. You can talk to me anytime, just drop me a line and if I can help I will with pleasure. If it's helpful you can make a donation to our charity or buy me a beer sometime.
Cenk is someone (and sadly there aren't many these days) I trust with my life, and have done for 10 years now. He also has tolerance far greater than mine! I still get enquiries and far too many are like "please mark all the following properties on a map, numbered and supply a photograph of all four aspects of each, and photographs taken looking out from all four aspects. Once I have decided which ones I (if any) I wish to see, I shall contact you with details of the date and time I will be available to view them".
There's an app for that - the delete button :D - and I do, I can't be bothered reading their drivel, I couldn't imagine actually having to communicate with them.
That was exactly how it seemed to progress - to me anyway - I went from dream maker to chauffeur/servant in 10 easy years. Not for me anymore thanks. There's no need to be very sorry - I work with property websites (as opposed to being a property seller/agent) and I am still enjoying writing and developing www.fethiye.co.uk when I get an afternoon to do so, and do actually like it when people email me to ask for an opinion. I'm quite big on opinions ;)
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Thanks for your response Scunner,may well take you up on asking for advice if we see what we want in October, if you don't mind.
Cheers. Helen
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Best of luck in whatever you decide to do Keith, One door closes another one opens as they say!
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Sorry to hear that you have given up on the estate agent business Keith ,still look back 8 years ago and rated you as the best going. :)
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Thank you so much Ron, that really touched me. However, as mentioned earlier, customers have changed one hell of a lot since I had the pleasure of you as one. I remember our viewing day like it was last week :)
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I remember you showing us around and being so impressed in the petrol station that you were able to ask for elli lires worth of petrol!
I remember saying how I couldn't ever imagine being able to speak Turkish like that!
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Don't be fooled - if I didn't have 50 lira I couldn't ask to be filled up!
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You showed us round when we were out here buyıng and we bought from you because you were effıcıent and sooooooooo helpful. You had the patıence of a saınt. You Cenk and Olga made buyıng ın a strange country very easy and hassle free for us. And we have never regretted movıng here.
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Onwards and upwards Keith :D
Good luck in the future
G & I