How to Verify a Real Estate Agency in Turkey in 10 Minutes - And Avoid Costly Mistakes
How to Verify a Real Estate Agency in Turkey in 10 Minutes - And Avoid Costly Mistakes
Most problems foreign buyers face in Turkey do not come from the country itself. They come from choosing the wrong intermediary.
- A “beautiful listing” can be fake.
- A “friendly agent” can be unlicensed.
- A “cheap price” can be bait-and-switch.
The good news: you can filter out the majority of risk in 10 minutes - if you know what to check. This article is a practical checklist you can use immediately.
Why This Matters: When the agency is wrong, outcomes can include inflated prices, bait listings, missing documents, broken after-sales processes, residency mistakes, and in worst cases, loss of deposit. Verification is about removing uncertainty before money moves.
The 10-Minute Verification Checklist (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 - Check the Agency License (Non-Negotiable)
A legitimate agency must have the official Taşınmaz Ticareti Yetki Belgesi. This is the legal boundary between a regulated business and an unaccountable middleman.
Dangerous phrases: “A license isn’t required,” “We’re not an agency, we just help,” or “We work through partners.” These indicate no accountability.
Step 2 - Confirm the License Is for the Company (Not a “Manager”)
Ensure the license is registered to the exact company name on their site and contracts. If they cannot explain the legal structure clearly, it's a red flag.
Step 3 - Verify Domain Age (Fast Credibility Test)
Use a WHOIS tool. A mismatch between claimed market history and a very new domain is a warning sign.
- Domain older than 2 years = generally healthy.
- Domain 6–12 months old + claims of "15 years" = mismatch.
Step 4 - Identify the Leadership (Responsibility Must Be Personal)
Real agencies have identifiable leadership. A “team” without clear ownership is designed to blur responsibility.
Step 5 - Confirm an Office Exists (Not Just a Chat Account)
A reliable agency can provide a verifiable office address, Google Maps pin, and a reception phone.
Red flags: “We work online only,” “Calls are not available,” or “Use this personal WhatsApp only.”
Step 6 - Corporate Contacts Only (Phone + Email)
Minimal standard: a corporate phone number and an official email under the company domain. Only having a personal phone or Telegram is a fragile structure.
Step 7 - Telegram Is Useful, But High-Risk
If Telegram is the entire business—the only channel for communication and “exclusive deals”—it often signals no license, office, or legal responsibility.
Step 8 - Reviews: Logic Matters More Than Quantity
Be cautious if all reviews are perfect 5-star copies. Real reviews vary in tone and include specific details and timelines.
Step 9 - Ask the Control Question About the Property
Ask: “Is this property in your verified portfolio, and is the price confirmed in writing?”
A bait-listing funnel will respond: “That one was sold, but we have something similar.”
Step 10 - Payment Rules: No Personal Accounts, No “Cash First”
Immediate red flags: Requests to send a deposit to a personal account, insistence on cash, or vague documentation. Payments must be traceable and documented.
The Fast Red-Flag List (Save This)
If 2–3 of these appear, stop and verify again:
- 🚩 No license or refusal to show it
- 🚩 Only Telegram communication
- 🚩 No office address
- 🚩 Personal bank account requests
- 🚩 “Exclusive price only today” pressure
- 🚩 Domain age doesn’t match history claims
- 🚩 Avoidance of documentation
A Short “Yes/No” Check (30 Seconds)
Answer honestly:
- ✅ Can you verify the agency license?
- ✅ Is there a real office and corporate contacts?
- ✅ Is leadership identifiable?
- ✅ Is the listing confirmed in writing?
- ✅ Are payments traceable and documented?
If you get 2–3 “no,” stop and reassess. Ten minutes now can save months of stress and thousands in losses.
Final Conclusion
A real estate agency should be verified like a financial institution. If the agency cannot show licensing, structure, accountability, and documentation discipline, then the “deal” is a risk transfer — from them to you. Verification is not paranoia. It is professional behavior.
About RestProperty
Founded in 2003, RestProperty is a licensed international real estate agency operating in:
🇹🇷 Turkey 🇦🇪 Dubai 🇹🇭 Thailand 🇨🇾 Northern CyprusWe focus on verified portfolios and transparent pricing, ensuring clarity and confidence for every client.
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