INVESTMENT
Property experts have dubbed Turkey as the “new Spain” with property prices at the level they were in Spain over a decade ago.  Savvy investors are jumping on the property ladder - boosted by the introduction of Turkish mortgages for foreigners in 2007.

In 2003 the Foreign Direct Investment Law came into force, designed to encourage foreign investment and protect the rights of foreign investors. In 2002 the number of foreign capital companies in Turkey was less than 5,500, by the end of 2010 there were 25,800 (Undersecretariat of Treasury)

Foreigners spent almost $ 3 billion on property investment in Turkey in 2008, an increase of over 60% in just 3 years, and nearly three times the level of investment in 2003 when the legal framework changed. Net foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $ 18.2 billion in 2008 (an increase of over 80% since 2005) with 76% of direct capital investment originating from EU member countries.  (Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey)

The $50 million Didim Marina opened in 2009, it is planned to have a capacity of 1,200 yachts and is the biggest Marina in Turkey. Property prices in Didim, which includes Altinkum, Yeşilkent, Mavişehir and Akbük, are expected to increase significantly as a result of the increase in tourists, new restaurants and facilities, and huge investment in infrastructure.

Turkey is a modern, secular democracy and a member of almost every Western European international organisation. It joined the Council of Europe in 1949; NATO in 1952; signed a Customs Union with the European Union (EU) in 1995; became a full candidate for EU membership in 1999; and officially began EU accession talks in 2005.

ENJOYMENT
Turkey has over 8,000 km of coastline, bordering the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.  The beaches on the Aegean Coast are some of the most beautiful ranging from stretches of golden sands to quiet fishing coves - with over 300 days of sunshine each year and low humidity it is the perfect place to invest for pleasure or capital growth.

Turkey is an exciting destination - a paradise of sun, sea, mountains and lakes with a 10,000 year old heritage and some of the best preserved ruins in the world.  There are tours from Didim on the Aegean Coast to Ephesus, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the House of the Virgin Mary; the ancient ruins at Miletos and Priene; and the Temple of Apollo (god of the sun) in Altinkum which was one of the most sacred places of antiquity. 

There are an enormous variety of things to see and do ranging from water sports to mountain trekking, archaeology to night clubbing and river rafting – the country certainly has something for everyone. With so much to offer it is not surprising Turkey attracts over 28 million visitors each year.

The people of Turkey are friendly and hospitable– traditionally offering tea, served in tulip shaped glass cups. The cuisine is also famous – tasty snacks like borek (filo pastry filled with meat or cheese) and pide (Turkish pizza) or sweets such as ‘Turkish Delight’, washed down with the popular local Efes beer or raki (anise flavoured Turkish drink served in tall glasses which turns white when water or ice are added).  In the Coastal resorts, local restaurants even offer a free taxi service, collecting their clients and dropping them back - what service!

Prices are a fraction of those in other European countries; Turkey has a great climate; cheap cost of living; a friendly exotic culture; ideal shopping for bargain hunters; English widely spoken in Coastal resorts where local transport is frequent and cheap; and it is only 2 hours ahead of GMT.  No wonder so many foreigners are buying property in Turkey - the British alone acquired around 300 properties in 2000 increasing to over 50,000 in 2007 (Turkish Government estimates)