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.

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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 Cyprus

We focus on verified portfolios and transparent pricing, ensuring clarity and confidence for every client.