My wife and I decided to invest in Turkish property during a short holiday in Althinkum in May 2005, during that time we met with a series of agents and viewed a number of properties, quite often being shown properties that were either outside of our price range or specification. Fortuitously, on the second from last day of our holiday, we were introduced to Kate and Yildiray at My Turkish Home, who instantly impressed us with their knowledge, experience and ability to listen to what we were looking for.
Subsequently, we have enjoyed full after-sales support and follow up service from the whole team at My Turkish Home, happily we have found that even when you have bought from My Turkish Home you remain a valued client . In summary, our buying and after-sales dealings with My Turkish Home have been a positive experience and we would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.
Nigel and Maggie Brill
Turkey is not an obvious choice when thinking about emigrating to sunnier climes. But with getting on for 15,000 Brits owning property in Turkey now, it is fast becoming one of the top destinations.
Certainly, Dave and Pat Storton have never looked back since making the move two years ago. Together for 14 years (and married for five!), they collectively and individually knew that they eventually wanted an improved quality of life for their retirement.
“I’d been working for 40 years and paid off the mortgage,” said Dave, 58. “We wanted to give ourselves the time to do things together. We looked at Spain, but I would have had to continue working if we wanted to maintain a certain standard of living. Turkey was by far and wide the most cost effective solution both in terms or property prices and cost of living. But it was also a warm, welcoming, and truly beautiful place to be.”
On a fact finding tour to Altinkum on the Aegean coast, Dave and Pat met up with local agents My Turkish Home with whom they had been in regular contact for some months. During that week they found and put a deposit down on a brand new 5-bedroom villa for the almost criminal price of £45,000.
“We had actually decided on another villa just round the corner, but when we went the next morning to put down a deposit someone else had pipped us to the post,” continued Pat. “But it was fate – My Turkish Home took us straight out again and we landed right back on our feet. The new villa also had five bedrooms, but had more gardens and better views – fantastic!”
That was back in the summer of 2003. The couple then spent the next couple of years sorting out their lives in the UK prior to making their move permanent – an event that finally happened in the spring of 2006
“We feel like different people,” said Dave. “Produce like fresh fruit and vegetables are so plentiful and cheap that our diet and fitness levels have improved manifold. Our marriage is stronger as we have time to spend together, meeting the everyday simple challenges of living in a different country. Language is a barrier, but time and a bit of effort on our part means we overcome most communication hurdles. We are also attending a local college three days a week hoping to attain a good command of the Turkish language.”With Turkish interest rates hovering in the mid teens for the last few years, the Stortons have been able to maximize on the capital that they have, meaning that they can live comfortably on their pensions and interest payments, without digging too deep into their capital. It also means that they were able to invest in a large 700m² plot of land on which they plan to build their ultimate villa in the sun.
“Most of the Turkish banks have excellent internet sites where you can move your money around and make it work better for you,” said Dave. “We feel more in control of our lives out here. The weather is fantastic, the food is plentiful and cheap, the people are warm and welcoming – we have never even considered going back.”
The Stortons
Nearly 2 years ago we were introduced to My Turkish Home (MTH) by friends who had visited Altinkum and chosen to purchase property through MTH after visiting many estate agents. We explained what we wanted to see in the area and were immediately impressed by the professional and friendly way we were dealt with by Yildiray, Kate and their team.
As a result of their help and advise we purchased an off-plan apartment in Yesilkent. We took possession of the apartment in June last year and it was built to time scale and to the specification promised.
We were so impressed by the ease of the purchase and associated legal matters and also the standard of property we could get for our money, that we decided to look for a further investment. Yildiray and Engin showed us a range of properties to suit our needs and nothing was too much trouble and without any pressure to buy if we didn't want to. We are now the proud owners of 2 apartments, one of which is due for completion at the end of July on Phase 1, Olive Gardens, Akbuk. MTH has kept us informed of progress and the development is to a very high standard.
What started as business association has quickly developed into a friendship. Its very reassuring to know that if we need help or advise on anything while we are in Turkey that we can call on our friends at MTH.
Bryan & Hazel Rees - Porthcawl, South Wales
We would like to put on record how very pleased we are with the excellent service we have received from the British and Turkish 'Team' at My Turkish Home during the purchase of our property. We were shown property that matched our original specification, and after a few viewings Engin seemed to know exactly what we were looking for and narrowed the search accordingly. After a review of our 'favourites', we were able to make a decision on the second day of looking. We were never pressured to buy, and any comments made regarding property and prices were given in a most helpful manner, taking into account our needs, not trying to get us to buy the most expensive.
After the sale we could not believe how professionally and speedily the transaction took place. At the solicitors a translator attended - explaining all that the solicitor said and producing the sale documents in both Turkish and English. At every step - registering at the Tax Office, opening a bank account, arranging furniture, gas, electric, water etc., the 'team' were there to 'hold our hand' and ensure that everything was understood and arranged to our satisfaction.
On returning to England they kept in touch with us, and on our return to Turkey some weeks later they again gave us assistance in arranging extra works etc. We were so impressed with them that we recommended them to Mrs Notley's sister, who was paying us a visit, and within two days she was the proud owner of a property too, receiving the same excellent service as we had ourselves. Back in the UK at present we are still in touch with the staff at My Turkish Home and they are still working on our and Mrs Notley's sister's behalf. They put an English Estate Agent to shame. We now look on them as friends, and would be happy to recommend them to any prospective purchaser, with no doubt that they will get the same friendly and professional treatment that we received. If anyone would like to contact us personally for confirmation of our testimonial or to ask any questions they are welcome email, please ask MTH for our email.
Val and Clive Notley, soon to be residents of Didim. 11/7/2007
We would not hesitate in recommending My Turkish Home Estate Agents in Altinkum. By chance we came across them on the internet, but were grateful we did.
English born Kate and fluent English speaking Yildiray made us feel at ease throughout the whole process. They did ask us to speak to some previous clients for references as we bought our villa without ever visiting Altinkum.
We felt very much at ease after we talked to them a few times and had no fears in sending our deposit over. It was in June 2004 we first enquired about our villa. Kate filled us in about everything including all she could about Altinkum as we were buying without seeing it. Later on in June we sent the deposit over and in August the balance for the property. In between that the contract was e. mailed over which we both signed and was returned in English and Turkish.
After meeting Kate and Yildiray and arriving in Altinkum for the first time in August 2004, we were shown the Villa. We were more than pleased with it and Altinkum in general which was everything Kate described and more. I think there’s everything you could wish for with some lovely beeches.
If you’re buying a property why not use My Turkish Home, I’m sure you will receive the same first class service we did.
George and Julie Hooley
Yildiray is a Registered Estate Agent and alongside Kate have years of experience behind them. We bought our apartment in 2005 with Yildiray and Kate guiding and explaining the whole process to us we were given 100% assistance from both of them and to this day we find we can pop into the office, ask for help and it is immediately there.
Margaret and David Elam
After many months talking to various people about buying a property in Turkey, we eventually arranged 4 appointments with different Estate Agents in Altinkum prior to arriving, during 1 week in early 2005. 3 days and 3 Estate Agents later we came to our last appointment, and met Kate & Yildira from My Turkish Home --- immediately, we decided that here was a company, who listened to us -- heard what we wanted and acted on the information. We are now the proud owners of our dream home in the sun, and on calling back in October,they gave their time and help to us in furnishing it. If anyone sees this testimonial, we hope it is read as a glowing report of My Turkish Home, because we certainly found them to be Honest, Reliable and extremely helpful and so much more professional than the other Estate Agents we met. Should anyone wish to follow up with us, please feel free to contact us, just ask MTH fo our details.
Many Thanks Kate and Yildira
Frank & Yvonne Hanrahan"
We bought a property with Kate and Yidiray in May 2005. We both found them to be very honest and trustworthy (which is a great load off your mind if you are buying for the first time), they answered any questions we put to them and guided us through the legal procedure every step of the way. Their follow up service too has been excellent, always there to help. We could not recommend them highly enough. If you have any questions you wish to ask please do not hesitate to contact us via MTH.
Bob and Barbara Jenkins
I purchased my holiday home in October 2004 through Myturkishhome. After meeting several estate agents,I was immediately attracted to Myturkishhome because of their friendly and relaxed approach.There was no pressure whatsoever from start to finish. The buying process went absolutely smoothly as described by Myturkishhome.Their assistance also went beyond their obligations and they helped with all matters such as buying furniture and arranging insurance. I felt i was being looked after and this feeling continues today.i have complete trust in Myturkishhome which is very important to any person buying abroad. I would recommend Myturkishhome to anyone purchasing or renting property.
Jon Hewitson
We would like to thank Kate and Yildiray Emre, proprietors to My Turkish Home for not only the help and advice we received when buying our holiday home in Altinkum, Turkey but also the after care we have received ever since from My Turkish Home. We have been happy to recommend My Turkish Home to all of our friends, family and business collegues. We know we can always rely on them and are always welcomed if we need to call into their office for advice or just a friendly chat."
Mandy and Dave Raw - Darlington, England
We never travelled to Turkey before, however with all the support from Kate in the early days through emails and a meeting at ‘the place in the sun exhibition’ in Birmingham, she introduced us to Altinkum and the surrounding areas, supporting us in finding the correct property and making the process easier to execute.
When we arrived in Turkey in October 2006 we were shown a number of properties by a few different agents which were either not suitable or were out of our price range. They did not always consider all of our requests.
However, with the support of Yildiray and Engin (part of the My Turkish Home team) we viewed a number of properties which were covering all of our needs and we eventually purchased our home at Olive Gardens in Akbuk
When we arrived back in the UK, with the support of My Turkish Home team and Helen, who dealt with our inquiries very promptly and efficiently we found the process to buy simpler. She is a credit to the My Turkish Home team and she is an example of their support to any client. She always helped to put our mind at rest answering any questions, however trivial, which we had.
In our view My Turkish Home is an agent who can be trusted and relied upon from 2½ thousand miles away.