Blog & guides

MarketsDubai / UAEBuying in Dubai: The Best-Connected Areas for CommutersMetro, Tram or highway? A guide to Dubai residential areas by transport access, what the planned Blue Line will change, and what to check before you buy.2 November 20265 min read

Buying processNet or gross? How to read property sizes in Turkish listingsNet area, three types of gross area, balconies and plots: what the square-metre figure in a Turkish listing really covers and how to compare homes fairly.19 October 20265 min read

MarketsSpainCosta Blanca Area Guide: Matching Towns to Property TypesFrom Dénia to Pilar de la Horadada: how Costa Blanca property markets differ, with villas in the north, apartments around Alicante and urbanizations and golf in the…9 October 20266 min read

Law & taxTurkey's Secure Payment System for Property: Now Planned for 1 December 2026The sale price is released only after the title deed transfer. How Turkey's Secure Payment System works, why its launch has been postponed several times and what buyers…8 October 20264 min read

Living on the RivieraBuying in Ankara: Districts and Neighbourhoods ComparedWhere to buy in Ankara: Çankaya, Gölbaşı, Yenimahalle and Etimesgut compared by neighbourhood, housing type, transport access and price per m² from an August 2026 report.21 September 20265 min read

Buying processSpainNew Build or Resale in Spain: How to ChooseNew build or resale in Spain? Compare the purchase process, IVA and ITP, off-plan payment protection, LOE liability periods, the Nota Simple and running costs.19 September 20266 min read

MarketsSpainAlicante Tops Spain for Foreign Home Buyers in Q2 2026Foreign nationals made 46.43% of home purchases in Alicante Province in Q2 2026, the highest share in Spain. The figures and what they mean for Costa Blanca buyers.31 August 20263 min read

Buying processIs the price right? A practical way to judge property prices in TurkeyComparables, consistent price per m², Aidat and resale demand: a step-by-step check of whether an asking price on the Turkish Riviera stands up.31 August 20265 min read

Buying processPaying for Property in Turkey: DAB, Bank Transfers and Source-of-Funds ChecksA practical guide for foreign buyers: how to transfer the purchase price, what the DAB certificate is for, which documents banks ask for and how the Secure Payment…21 August 20266 min read

MarketsForeign Buyers in Turkey 2026: Where the Antalya Region StandsOfficial figures up to June 2026 on foreign home purchases in Turkey, how to read them, and what they mean for buyers looking at Side, Manavgat and the wider Antalya…30 July 20265 min read

MarketsDubai / UAEBuying Property in Dubai in 2026: Buy Now or Wait?Is 2026 the right time to buy in Dubai? How the market has changed since the boom, where buyers have leverage, which areas suit which goals and the risks to check first.7 July 20265 min read

Buying processSpainBuying in Spain with a Mortgage in 2026: A Guide for Non-ResidentsMixed rates, 60–70% LTV for non-residents, stricter terms above €500,000 and the FEIN/FIAE rules: what foreign buyers should check before financing a home in Spain in…27 June 20265 min read

Law & taxResidence Permit via Property: Four Alanya Neighbourhoods ReopenSince June 2026, addresses in Mahmutlar, Kestel, Avsallar and Kargıcak can again be used for first-time property-based residence permit applications. What changed and…16 June 20263 min read

Living on the RivieraWhere to Buy in İzmir: Five Popular Districts ComparedKarşıyaka, Alsancak, Bornova, Urla or Çeşme? How İzmir’s most popular areas differ for living, renting and resale, and the checks that matter before you buy.15 June 20265 min read

Law & taxSpainSpanish Property Purchases: Getting Through KYC and AML ChecksWho is buying, where the money comes from, how it travels: the KYC and AML checks Spanish banks and notaries apply, and how to have your file ready before signing an…9 June 20266 min read

Law & taxSpainSpain’s TIE Card Explained for Non-EU Property OwnersNIE or TIE? Who needs Spain’s foreigner identity card, how the appointment, fingerprinting and paperwork work, and why renewal starts with your residence permit, not…1 June 20265 min read

Law & taxSpainLetting Your Spanish Property: Rental Models, Rules, Tax and Real ReturnsLong-term, seasonal or holiday lets? What foreign owners in Spain need to know about licences, the national rental register, Modelo 210, running costs and realistic…13 May 20265 min read

Law & taxSpainGetting Your NIE in Spain: What It Is and How to ApplyNo NIE, no property purchase, bank account or tax payment in Spain. Where to apply, which documents to bring and how long the Spanish foreigner identity number takes.13 April 20264 min read

MarketsTurkish Housing Prices in March 2026: Average Passes 40,000 TL per m²The national average reached 40,380 TL per m² in March 2026. Here is what the data say about real prices, Antalya's place among the top provinces, rents and yields.8 April 20265 min read

Law & taxSpainOpening a Bank Account in Spain: A Checklist for Foreign BuyersPassport, NIE, proof of address and source of funds: what foreign buyers need to open a Spanish bank account, which account type fits and how the process works.26 March 20265 min read

MarketsNorthern CyprusBuying Property in Northern Cyprus: Prices, Payment Plans and RentalsLower coastal prices, developer instalment plans and rental demand from tourism and universities: why international buyers look at Northern Cyprus and how a purchase…9 March 20263 min read

Buying processDubai / UAEBuying Off-Plan in Dubai: Escrow, Payment Plans and RisksBuying before completion in Dubai: how escrow protects your payments, what payment plans offer, what to check in the contract and which areas see most off-plan activity.25 February 20264 min read

MarketsSpainWhere to Buy on the Costa del Sol: Seven Towns ComparedMarbella, Estepona, Málaga, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, Torremolinos and Mijas: how the Costa del Sol towns differ and what buyers should weigh on location, transport and…16 February 20264 min read

MarketsTurkey Home Sales 2025: Record Year, with Antalya Second for Foreign Buyers1,688,910 homes sold, 21,534 of them to foreigners: the official TÜİK figures for 2025, with a focus on Antalya, new builds and mortgage lending.30 January 20263 min read

Living on the RivieraDubai / UAEMoving to Dubai as a Foreigner: Visas, Costs and NeighbourhoodsVisa types, investor and Golden Visa property thresholds, monthly living costs, neighbourhoods and transport: what foreigners should know before relocating to Dubai.20 January 20265 min read

MarketsSpainCosta del Sol vs Costa Blanca: Market, Costs and Lifestyle ComparedPricing, running costs, rentals, daily life and popular towns: how the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca differ for property buyers and which coast suits which priorities.12 January 20265 min read

MarketsDubai / UAEBuying property in the UAE: how five emirates compare for foreign buyersDubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain compared: transport links, market profile, price level and the freehold areas open to foreign buyers.5 January 20266 min read

Buying processLetting property in Alanya: areas, rental models and the rulesHoliday lets or long-term tenants? Which Alanya neighbourhoods and flat types work, what Law No. 7464 requires for short stays, and which costs eat into rental returns.8 July 20256 min read

Living on the RivieraAffordable homes by the sea: where Turkish property is still good valueMersin, Gazipaşa, Alanya, Side, Belek, Fethiye, Bodrum and the outskirts of Istanbul and Antalya: where the coast still offers moderate prices and solid infrastructure.1 July 20256 min read

Living on the RivieraAntalya Airport expansion: room for 82 million passengers a yearNew terminals, more aircraft stands and capacity up from 35 to 82 million passengers: the key facts about the Antalya Airport expansion opened in April 2025.13 May 20252 min read

Buying processAfter the boom: how Turkey's property market turned in 2025From the 2020–2022 boom to a balanced market in 2025: what drove the change, why buyers gained negotiating room and four rules for buying in a calmer market.28 April 20254 min read

MarketsBuying in Turkey in 2025: market trends, buyer groups and risks for foreignersPrices, buyer groups and risks: how an April 2025 market overview assessed Turkey for foreign buyers, with TÜİK figures for 2024 and practical buying steps.24 April 20254 min read

Living on the RivieraBuying a villa in Turkey: ten regions worth a closer lookFrom Antalya and Belek to Side, Bodrum and Istanbul: a guide to ten popular villa regions in Turkey, with airports, sought-after areas and what sets each apart.14 April 20256 min read

MarketsTurkey home sales in 2024: record December, fewer foreign buyersTurkey sold 1,478,025 homes in 2024, 23,781 of them to foreigners. The TÜİK figures on December sales, mortgages, new builds and top buyer nationalities.24 January 20253 min read

Living on the RivieraSea-view homes in Istanbul: neighbourhoods on the Bosphorus and the MarmaraFrom Bebek and Tarabya to Maltepe and Tuzla: where to find sea-view apartments and villas in Istanbul, and how the neighbourhoods differ on price level and transport.7 January 20254 min read

Law & taxWeb Tapu explained: Turkey's electronic title deed systemWhat is Web Tapu, what does the electronic title deed show and which land registry transactions can you handle online? A guide to the TKGM system, step by step.26 December 20244 min read

Buying processBuying property in Turkey in winter: why the off-season paysLess competition, flexible sellers, year-end developer offers and a realistic look at insulation and the neighbourhood: why searching in winter can work in your favour.24 December 20244 min read

Law & taxTurkey's Tech Visa and Digital Nomad Visa: requirements and benefitsA three-year work permit for tech specialists and one-year residence for remote workers earning USD 3,000 a month: who qualifies, how to apply and what each visa offers.5 November 20244 min read

Buying processBuying a Golf Villa in Belek: Location, Lifestyle and Key ChecksBelek, east of Antalya, is known for its golf courses, beaches and upscale hotels. Here is what a villa near the fairways offers – and what to check soberly before you…26 August 20244 min read

Buying processBuy a Finished Home or a Plot in Turkey? Costs, Time and Risk ComparedBuy ready-made or build your own? We compare value, rental income, costs, financing and time – with a checklist to help you decide before committing in Turkey.18 July 20245 min read

Buying processInvesting in Alanya Property: Types, Neighbourhoods and ChecksFrom off-plan flats to building land: the property types available in Alanya, the neighbourhoods buyers often consider, and how to check an offer with a clear head.12 July 20244 min read

Buying processWhat Drives Property Prices in Turkey? Ten Factors Buyers Should KnowWhy do similar flats carry different price tags? Age, construction stage, size, location, amenities and the economy – ten factors to understand before you compare…24 June 20244 min read

Buying processBuying Property in Turkey: Seven Common Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemPower of attorney, iskan, title checks and hidden costs: the mistakes buyers in Turkey make most often, what to verify before any deposit and how to prepare your…24 June 20244 min read

Living on the RivieraBuying Property in the Antalya Region: Is It a Sound Investment?City, beach or resort town: what draws buyers to Antalya province, which property types are on offer and which costs and assumptions to test before you commit to a…31 May 20244 min read

Buying processBuying an off-plan or under-construction home in Turkey: contract, payments, handoverHow to check the project and developer, understand the contract, plan instalments and prepare for handover when buying a home that is still being built in Turkey.10 May 20245 min read

Law & taxInheriting property in Turkey: succession, wills and heirs' rightsWhich law applies to foreign owners, who inherits and how much, how the inheritance certificate and title transfer work, inheritance tax bands and how to make a will in…6 May 20247 min read

Living on the RivieraInvesting in Antalya property: areas, rental income and running costsHow Konyaaltı, Lara, Kepez, Alanya, Belek, Kemer and other parts of Antalya province differ, and which costs and rules shape the net return on a home.6 April 20246 min read

Buying processProperty ROI made simple: rental yield, costs and financingHow to calculate ROI, net rental yield, cash-on-cash return, cap rate and IRR for a property, with worked examples and the mistakes that distort the result.23 March 20246 min read

Law & taxProperty taxes in Turkey: annual tax, title deed fee, VAT and moreAnnual property tax, title deed fee, capital gains, rental income, inheritance and gift tax, plus the VAT exemption for foreign buyers in Turkey (as of 2024).7 February 20246 min read

Law & taxShort-term rentals in Turkey: what Law No. 7464 requires since 2024Permits for lets of up to 100 days, neighbours' consent, the 2% accommodation tax and fines: the rules for short-term holiday rentals in Turkey (as of 2024).11 January 20244 min read

Living on the Riviera 9 articles