Our bazaar bargain hunt

Jun 8 2008 Frances Traynor

Place In The Sun Stuart Snaps Up Stunning Holiday Pad In Turkey For Just £19,000

Keen to find a holiday home abroad, Stuart Malloy did his homework thoroughly.

He checked out properties in Spain, Portugal and the Canaries but hefty price tags put him off.

Then a friend suggested Stuart and girlfriend Norma Wightman consider Turkey.

Within weeks, Stuart had signed on the dotted line with Goldsand and is now the proud owner of a one-bedroom apartment, for the bargain price of £19,000.

Eight months on, the couple are still thrilled with their acquisition at Didim, close to the Aegean Sea resort of Altinkum on Turkey's west coast.

Altinkum, in fact, actually means "golden sands" thanks to its three long, sandy beaches.

Stuart, 49, of Dumbarton, said: "I'd been looking to buy abroad for years but the cost of property in the Mediterranean and the Canaries really put me off.

"The last time I'd been in Turkey was about 20 years ago but I had good memories of there.

"The price in Turkey was amazing but I was also impressed with the way Goldsand dealt with us.

"It made a difference speaking to someone direct. They made the whole process very simple and straightforward."

Stuart, who works with whisky giants Chivas Regal, bought the one-bedroom apartment off-plan as the Sea View complex was still under construction.

All the sales and negotiations were done here in the UK with a Goldsand representative visiting his home regularly to keep him up to date on progress.

The apartment is part of a complex of four buildings surrounding a communal pool. One-beds start at £18,000 with fourbeds costing from £85,000. School support worker Norma said: "The apartment is absolutely gorgeous - beautifully finished with a marble staircase, granite worktops and beautiful tiling. We know we definitely got our money's worth here. There are plenty of restaurants and bars in Didim and there's a modern shopping mall where you can get all the basics you need. There's also an excellent market every Saturday."

Stuart paid cash for the apartment, having had time to save up while he shopped around for a holiday home.

He said: "It seemed more sensible to pay cash and not get involved in getting a mortgage.

"I might have been a bit nervous about doing that but Goldsand were so helpful, I'm sure they would have made the mortgage process simple, too.

"We don't plan to rent it out.

It's really just for the family and friends. Turkey is very accessible now. All the major tour operators fly from Glasgow to Bodrum, which is only about an hour's drive away."

While sunbathing and chilling out by the pool is high on the family's holiday agenda, Stuart says they also plan to soak up a little ancient history.

The vast Roman ruins at Ephesus are within driving distance, too, and nearby Altinkum offers boat trips to the bustling resort of Kusadasi.

"We think we've bought in a fantastic location," said Stuart.

"We're going for three weeks in July and we can't wait."

FACTFILE

You don't have to be a resident to purchase in Turkey but you will require a resident's visa if you plan to live there for more than three months of the year.

Before buying, check that there are no outstanding rental agreements or mortgages on the property, and that the seller has the title deeds (tapu).

Set aside a contingency fund of around 5-10 per cent over the purchase price for 'hidden' fees.

The presence of a sworn interpreter during the registration at the Land Registry Office is required by law in Turkey.This will cost around £50.

For more information on buying in Turkey, contact Goldsand Group on 0141 944 4929 or visit the website www.goldsandgroup.com