Avoiding corrupt minds

[Guz1]

Immac: You can't seriously be suggesting that all the people with Kat Irtifaki are gullible. It's a bit like the saying "Everybody's out of step except my Johnny" - Johnny being the Turkish authorities who made little or no attempt to put a stop to the corner cutting by emlaks, developers and solicitors.

[immac]

I would not buy a toaster unseen if it was not clear what I was getting and that my money was safe until I got it in my hand. I suspect that most of these people you are referring to would apply similar diligence in their home town. Yet they come abroad and part with huge amounts of cash in a market they neither understand or have any experience of. Why?

Ian

[Guz1]

That's what I did and to this day I still can't explain it. I'm a slow learner but I did learn so now I'm sorry to say that I trust nobody in Turkey.

I think it would be fairly safe to say, however, that most people used solicitors. How were they to know that solicitors in Turkey aren't regulated as strictly as at home, or that the Turkish equivalent of the Law Society won't reimburse the clients of a solicitor who does a runner with their money?

[pldouglas]

Originally Posted by ceemac

I think that's a fair point - because you weren't thorough or experienced enough to cover every angle or ask every question, does/did not give so called 'professionals' in the property business the right to 'stitch you up'.

Even if you have supposedly covered all your bases, how the hell could you have factored in (in the early days at least), solicitors/lawyers who are at best unprofessional, unknowledgable, lazy buffoons, and at worst, bordering on the criminal.

I'm extremely knowledgable, cautious, and canny now, some 5 years after my purchase, thanks to my own, and others' experiences - at the same time, you always have that uneasy feeling at the back of your mind that, even when you're sure that you have everything sorted out, it could go pear shaped at any time as the result of some crazy new retrospective law they pass, or something similar.

On balance, I don't regret the fantastic experience I've had in discovering Turkey and it's 99.9% wonderful peoples, but I wouldn't buy property there again - sounds Irish that I know, but that's 'cos I am .

The fact is though, I am where I am at the moment, and I have some great folk looking after my interests there, so I prefer to drink out of the half-full glass, rather than the half-empty one.

When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because etc etc...(I've completely lost it now)

C

Couldn't agree more and we are in the same position. Our property is now up for sale and we wouldn't buy there again, although we have been so lucky with our purchases and have had no major problems at all - again, sounds mad but I think its almost a question of thinking that maybe our luck is going to run out, so best get out while the going is good - if we can sell of course, which is another question altogether!
We too have enjoyed Turkey and the wonderful Turkish friends and neighbours we have met there - but there is no place like home.