Introductions

[Rivermead]

Hello everyone,

I have seen a smililar post to this one on the Egyptian Thread and thought it may be a good idea to have on the Turkey thread too. Just a place were members, old and new can introduce themselves to one another.

Name - Thomas Yates

Business - Rivermead Global Property - (AIPP 2010 Award Winners) Several of you may be familiar with Neil Hollingsworth who has been contributing to the property forums for a while now.

Comments I am just hoping to stay in contact with everyone who has an interest in property in Turkey, the majority of my time is spent dealing with Altinkum and Akbuk.

 

[Adam Smith]

Pleasure to meet you, I'm new to this forum as well

What's going on in Altinkum and Akbuk?

Congratulations on the AIPP award!

 

[Rivermead]

Pleasure to meet you, I'm new to this forum as well

What's going on in Altinkum and Akbuk?

Congratulations on the AIPP award!

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the reply. Altinkum is seeing massive investment at the moment, with the Marina completed (second largest in Europe) and infrastructure in and around the area being greatly improved... it is certainly heading in the right direction.

We have just taken on board several new developments in the areas, both completed and off-plan and will be headingh back out to Turkey very soon hopefully. I will bring back lots of pictures and updated information.

Thank you, the award is something we are very proud of

Currently in Egypt at the moment. Return back to the office on Wednesday.

What brings you to the forum?

 

[Adam Smith]

I wrote a brief introduction in another thread outlining the reasons why I am on this forum now. I am trying to make some connections with like minded investors in Turkey. It's always good to make sure you surround yourself with good people in order to help yourself follow through with your plans.

As I wrote in my other mail, I'm interested in finding investment property that can turn around into instant positive cash flow. I'd be interested to see what's going on in Altinkum, and if that's a place I would like to invest in.

I have a detailed check list of points to go over when looking for a city/town to invest in. I think it deserves a look if it's getting all the improvements you say.

 

[tdmcg]

Hello Guys

I know Rivermead and Neil also Thomas (will drop him an email). Just browsing the forum for clues and to spread the word about scoundrels!! Check the following link. I have had personal dealings with this guy in Sofia, Bulgaria so trust me when I say stay well away - that is if he ever surfaces!! He's already flown I believe....Tim

Our Turkish fright! | Olive Press Newspaper | News

 

[Egle]

Hello to everyone

Nice to meet you all here. And I will try in short to introduce myself

NAME. I am EGLE SAVICKIENE

BUSINESS. The real estate agent in Kusadasi, Turkey.

COMMENTS. Originally I am from Lithuania and now am living in Turkey. I live in one of the most beautiful places of this country, in Kusadasi. In the place which local people call a paradise on Earth, and tourists even after first visit absolutely agree with this and wipe tears when they need to leave.
I have experience in real estate business in my country Lithuania. Here in Turkey I moved and traveled a lot in Aegean territory, changed a lot of living places. So with my long and different experience I really know a lot about renting and buying houses. Also here in Turkey my partner is the real estate company which already long years is in real estate business.
I moved to Turkey from another country. So I really know what means to start a new life or even to stay for a while in a new place. And I know how is important to get the right help. And unfortunately not every real estate agent or company here can give really full and right help not only in buying or renting process, but in everyday life too. It is not about they do their job bad. They just never tried to move for living to another country and do not have experience and even imagination how it is.
I enjoy a lot what I am doing. But most importantly I am really happy to help people and support them in a new for them place and exciting way of life.
For my customers I can offer communication in their language – English, Russian, German and Lithuanian.
I also speak Turkish, so I am ready to help my customers here in everyday life.

No, I was not able to introduce myself in short . But I really will be happy to stay in contact with all of you
You can find me also in facebook and linkedin.

 

[Clareom]

Hi everyone,
I've just joined this site tonight because i really need some honest friendly advice. My mum and dad bought a house in Turkey in 2003 and we all enjoyed it for many years, tragically they both passed away last year and i have no idea of where to begin with dealing with the property or bank accounts they had in Turkey. Can anyone offer any advice?
Thanks Clare

 

[Sunny Days]

Condolences on your loss

Hello Clare

First of all, I would like to say condolences on your sad loss.
I appreciate that when you a far away these issues seem even worse to deal with than when they are in your home country and your home language but Turkish inheritance laws are extremely straight-forward if your parents were in their first marriage together and have children by the same partner - in which case, the estate goes to the children in equal shares.
However if there are any 'complications' (legal complications that is, not human complications) such as a second marriage, estranged partners, children by another marriage etc then the situation complicates somewhat.
Whatever your personal circumstances, I would 100% recommend that you use an English speaking solictor approved by the Bar of the County where the property is based. That individual will be able to resolve the deeds transfer to the rightful heirs, liaise with the banks and Government offices, in your absence.

I STRESS DO NOT use a 'friend' or someone you know to assist you with this process as NOBODY except a solicitor can be trusted to cover all aspects of this work efficiently. Yes, a solicitor will cost you money but a "friendly waiter" or someone that your family has known and trusted for years CANNOT be trusted with this type of expertise work. It is a specialist area.

So where do you start to look for such a solicitor? Well some people say, the British Consulate website but be aware that the solicitors submit themselves to that website. There are no quality control checks. Yes they speak English and yes they are qualified solicitors but HOW have they performed for their clients since qualifiying?? So maybe the website is a good starting point but not fool-proof. Possibly take the contact details and names of solicitors on the website in your County of Turkey and then do your own due diligence on each of those solicitors....start with a phone call or try to find some of their previous clients; ask independently accreditted estate agents (ie quality agents) in your area OR ask your parents bank which English speaking solicitor they would recommend to assist you.

If you call the British Consulate and explain your situation, they may be candid and make a recommendation (depends upon whom you speak with) but I suspect that most of their staff they wont know anymore than the names listed on the website and there are some quality control issues on there (I speak from experience!).

I wish you well with your situation and hope that once all of the legals are resolved, you will go on to enjoy many more years of home ownership in Turkey.

Kind Regards
Kelly

 

[Clareom]

Thank you

Hi Kelly,

Thank you so much for your advice - i have been told so much different conflicting advice it was making my head spin! I am now the only child of my mum and dad as my sister passed away also in 2006 so when i eventually get chance to go out to Turkey and sort it out it should be pretty straight forward enough!!

Have you any idea if i am supposed to inform Turkish officials of their passing by a certain time? The only reason i haven't done this yet is because i don't want them to close their bank accounts,which may leave bills unpaid and result in things getting canceled/turned off. It's not as if i can just nip over to sort things out in the house if they start going wrong!

I have also been told that the Turkish Government will take my parents money out of their bank accounts and keep it - sounds ridiculous but have you any idea if this is true!?

Regards,
Clare.

 

[Sunny Days]

Hi Clare

Your circumstances will be governed by whether or not your parents had a legally binding will in Turkey. IF not then standard inheritance laws will apply to your inheritance. If they did, then the will will dominate events.

I'm not 100% sure about the precedence of bank accounts of deceased so I won't pass comment.

If I was you, I wouldnt inform any authorities yourself. I would suggest leaving all of that to your solicitor and IF your parents had an accountant in Turkey then liaise with them as well and put the accountant and solicitor in touch with oneanother. Good accountants over here are very well connected with the authorities and very good people to have on your side.

My advice is - "don't listen to any advice except that of your solicitor / accountant" - before and after that, you can choose whether you want to listen to my advice or indeed that of your solicitor! Please be aware that there are a lot of 'mini experts' over here in Turkey - including expats whom mean well but know very little.... or they know a lot about 1 case but not all situations. Every individual's case is slightly different especially where property and inheritance are concerned and you will be in both of these categories....

You can leave a sundries fund with the solicitor if you are worried about ad hoc payments in your absence. You can discuss documentation required and funds before you even travel to Turkey. When you meet the solicitor face to face, if you decide that s/he is the individual that you will appoint as having powers of attorney on your parents estate then they can quite literally take powers to tie up all of those loose ends including the ability to transfer your parents property into your name, in your absence. They can also take powers to withdraw funds from bank accounts (although you have to legally agree to this) so again, beware of whom you appoint and it is worth developing a rapport with your parents bank (although AFTER your solicitor has informed them and the position on any funds has been established) so for example the bank may allow the POA to withdraw funds but first they require your written confirmation (just a precautionary measure but one that protects you; the solicitor (POA) AND the bank against any later allegations.

More advice from me - just don't trust anyone too much, keep your wits about you but you have to trust to a certain extent so ensure that you have fully checked out the individual who is going to take the legal powers on your behalf.

Good Luck with the tasks ahead.
Kelly

 

[areas]

hi all.. Its good to participate in interesting topics.