Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Introduce Yourself => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: Chris & Patrick on June 29, 2004, 21:07:14 PM
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Hi everyone, we're so glad we found this discussion board as we are coming to Chalis a week on monday (12th July) with a view to buying an apartment there. Having read some of the messages it's obvious you have to be careful (deposits, dodgy estate agents etc) We are coming on an inspection visit courtesy of Headlands International, anyone outthere know anything about this company, we'd really appreciate all the advice we can get.
Many thanks, Chris & Patrick 8)
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Welcome to the site/forum guys.
I can not help you with Headlands, buy hang in there, someone hopefully will get back to you soon.
Have a great trip in July
Tel
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Hi mcciod,
when we were looking we arranged to view some properties with headland they didnt turn up,and since then ive heard they use the hard sale pitch
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Hi Mcciod
Sorry i haven't heard Headlands either...
All i can suggest is that you go with your gut feeling and don't feel pressured into buying anything just because they are providing an inspection trip...
Also remember that it pays to keep an eye on the opposition as you might find the same properties advertised in other agencies for less money...
Harley
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Mcciod,
The best advice I can give is contact Scunner. he will sort you out without any hard sell or any problems.
Stoop
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Hi Mccoid
Welcome to the forum.
Can only agree with Stoop, email Scunner and view with him too.
Hope you find something you like over there
Best wishes
Anne
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Thanks everyone for this.
We've e-mailed Heidi and she's given us details of how to contact her when we're there which we will definitely do especially in light of your replies. It is a bit worrying to think only one person has heard of them and they were let down by them! Still, the tickets arrived this morning so we're on our way and looking forward to a nice break. Finaly, anyone know a good mozzy repelent - we've heard their pretty bad at the moment!!!!
Cheers
Chris & Patrick
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Chris & Patrick
Only thing I know about Headland is that they seemed to start advertising Turkish Properties in the UK papers this year. I went on their website to have a look but must admit that the properties they had were also on many other Agent's websites.
Some sound advice has been sent your way with previous postings. Don't get pressured, have your mind set on why you want a property, and how much you want to spend. It's a big step so do all you can to get it right.
At the end of the day it can't hurt you to talk to Heidi and Keith or any other estate agent before making your mind up. And let's be honest, you can't knock word of mouth recommendations.
Good Luck with whatever you do and whoever you choose to deal with.
Tony Mac
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If you start on the marmite 8) 8) now you should be fine when you arrive on the 12th 8) 8)
Ron
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I have heard of Headlands but only insofar as seeing them in the Daily Mail, they also sell property in Cyprus and Spain so I should imagine they are a large concern. I have to agree with all of the above, you'll not go far wrong with Keith and Heidi. As far as your purchase is concerned if you are happy with the price and happy with the property then the price is right! Happy hunting!
Val
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They say they have been in existance for 35 years, yet we had never heard of them either but came across them on the net. Since then we too have seen the Daily Mail article and adverts in the Daily Express. We think what everyone is advising is right, take our time, don't be pressurised, don't part with any money and yes we'll definitely be looking up Scunner Heidi & co when there.
Thanks again everyone
PS Thanks for the marmite tip legless, we've just started to apply it now (oops did you mean eat it!!!)
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Mccoid lol-- I think you should eat it mate.
Stoop
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Try a spoonful in a cup of boiling water
Ron
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Mccoid,
You know his legs dropped off from Marmite abuse??
LOL
Stoop
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Suez,
The tropical strength jungle formula you say your hubby used is this strength of mosquito milk used or another brand name?
Thanks, Chris (McCoid)
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Also we don't know what we've done but we keep coming through as McCoid which is our surname (& sounds very formal we're sure you agree) can anyone tell us how to change to our first names of Chris & Patrick. We've tried 'profile' but no luck.
By the way Scunner, we'll supply pic when we've taken a few the week after next, there might be some interesting ones after a few scoops!
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I look forward to said pic.
I'm sure you have already noticed, butI have changed your username for you.
Scunner
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Suez,
Thanks for this, aparently on GMTV a few weeks ago they recommended an oil from Avon in the 'skin so soft' range as the most effective for warding off mozzies. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I do not do or get Avon stuff but have a friend who does. Only thing is the order arrives when we're in Calis!! never mind we'll try Boots.
Chris
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Mozzies are biting well - I have the lumps to prove it, I have tried everything except the marmite as I have not been that desperate - until now. Interested in marmite feed-back.
We picked up our TAPU last week and it was a great feeling.
Teresa
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Teresa,
Can you tell us what the 'tapu' is, is it the deeds or something? What has been your experience of buying, how long did it take you? Did you sign up pay deposit while there or come home & think about it?
Chris & Patrick
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Hi Chris and Patrick
It is the deed after it has been through the military clearance and approved, this allowed Muko to put the house into our names. The clearance took 16 weeks, when we bought in January we expected it to take about 12.
We were very unsure of the whole thing when we went in cold bleak January. We did view through a few agents but I would definitely say that you get a gut feeling and we felt very comfortable with Heidi and Muko (Keith was still in England). At that point they did not even have an office and we carried out business in their living room.
We paid our deposit (10%) and came home to England with a little piece of paper in receipt and that was it. We had been taken to the notary to sign a power of attorney which allowed Muko to buy the property in our name. We paid the translator direct as well as the notary and we did not use a solicitor. Before I went I was intending to use a solicitor but I took the advice of Heidi and Muko all the way and it never seemed necessary, but some people do.
We sent the balance 8 weeks later (a stomach-churning experience)and the owner signed the property over to Muko for us and then once the military clearance arrived Muko puts it in our name, and deal with electric and water etc in our name. You can go over and do it yourself if you plan on returning but we knew we would not be back for a few months.
If you pay a deposit and change your mind, I think you will lose it. If you come home to think about it you can do the deed from England as I know some people have bought unseen. The danger is that either your place goes, or it goes up. I think it is a bit like a house purchase here, when you find your place, you know it when you walk in the door.
There seemed to be quite a few people buying when we were there this week and the main difference since we bought is that I think people are paying for their property quickly to get the sale through in case the seller pulls out (except new-building projects).
I would also say that compared to some of the things I have seen and read, the fees we paid were very reasonable and as the first lot were paid in cash by us directly - we know they were correct. We finished this week with our 3% agents fee and the costs for transferring the deeds over and other things like earthquake insurance and refuse - this cost about £225. It does depend on the value of your property but it was all very reasonable.
For a scary experience Heidi really made things easy, it was still a bit scary though - trust is what you rely on.
We sat on our verandah this week and not a day went past when I didn't pinch myself to make sure it was real - it is bloody fantastic to be honest.
Teresa
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Thanks so much Theresa,
We both read your message together and when we got to your last sentance we both sighed a sigh of envy and said ''oh my god'' It sounds exactly where we want to be an hopefully experience it in much the same way as you have (hopefully) Everytime you mention to anyone here your thinking of buying in Turkey you get all the usual (and expected ''ooh be very careful'' ''I knew someone once'' etc. It has helped increase our confidence no-end joining this site and talking to real people like you who have had real experiences etc. A couple of questions (probably more in the future if thats ok)
1) Could you possibly put an approximate figure on the total additional purchase costs i.e agents fees etc, we have been quoted 5 & half % of the purchase price from one agent is this about right?
2) You mentioned a translator, who is this, is it something you have to have (does this mean at some point there are only turkish speaking people involved?) and at what stage in the process does this happen?
3) Your 10% deposit does this vary from developer to developer or again is this the norm?
4) You say people have started to pay quickly to avoid the seller pulling out, do you mean the whole purchase price in one go?
5) Finaly, have I read you right, you can actualy complete the buying process and then the military checks are done on you, I would have thought these would have been done first to ensure your not some unsavoury character
Thanks, Chris & Patrick
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Other people will probably be able to help with some of this.
1. My understanding is that you pay 3% of the purchase cost to the agent and I believe that to be standard. We paid the notary when the process started about £100 and the translator 20million each. It is all in Turkish but the translator is appointed by the court and he tells you exactly what you are signing. There is another 1,5% payable at the end but this figure is not necessarily of the purchase cost but of the valuation on your deed which can be lower (this is talked about somewhere else on the forum) and is included in the £225 I mention earlier. In total we paid about
£350 plus our 3% but it does depend on the cost of your property.
2. As mentioned above but this is right at the beginning of the process and if you decide to buy and put down a deposit, you will probably do that straight away.
3. Deposits do vary, Heidi tries to stick to 10% (or did when we went) but I know people are asked for more and some have paid very small deposits and sent the rest when they got home.
4. Yes. Although it may not be the norm and you will get advice on this I am sure. Increasingly it seems even on the forum people are being asked for money quickly. See what others say on that subject. If you are buying something that is not completed then everyone says to only pay in stages, not up front.
5. Yep again. Not really sure what to say on this one because you are echoing my concerns at the time. The only thing I can say is I didn't think we were unsavoury (although the Turks might) and as rules have relaxed on where property can be bought I think the area we are buying in is regarded as out of any restricted zone. I suppose if they had refused us we may have been able to put it in another name or, sell it. It wasn't a problem and again I don't think that many people are waiting until the clearance is through before paying because I think you might lose the property.
As I say it gave me (and others) a bit of a flutter at 2am on odd occasions. There will be plenty of people on here with their experiences. Use the search facility at the top and look up TAPU, deposits and fees etc.
Teresa