Keith, I totally agree with what you and others have said over the past couple of pages in that there are lessons to be learned bu all of us in this sorry tale. Most of us when we bought in Turkey had to put our trust in someone and that was normally the estate agent.Putting your trust in an estate agent is exactly the same as putting your trust in an estate agent in the UK. In this sorry situation all the money seems to have been handed over up front. You would not hand all the money over up front on a UK purchase why do it in s foreign country. You would not buy a house without involving a solicitor in the UK why would you not do it abroad.
We are all very wise after the event. Lets be honest the vast majority of sales that are made are honest and above board. This lady is one of the few that has been stung.Unfortunately it is the behavior of Woody, his Turkish partner and other greedy individuals that bring the whole process into disrepute. 6% is a healthy commission but some of these individuals are not satisfied. When we were selling our house one of money grabbers turned up and they wanted me to add 21% to the purchase price and wanted it split 6% to the agent and 15% to this guy who was supposed to be a friend of the prospective purchasers. I told them to get lost.
There is a need for further regulation and for the whole purchase process needs to be speeded up. Most importantly there is a need for common sense to be applied.
Woody there is no way you can say you are a victim in all of this. You defrauded at least 2 people and got caught.
