10-Minute Guide to Verifying a Real Estate Agency in Turkey

Why Checking the Agency Is More Important Than Choosing a Property

In practice, most problems when buying real estate in Turkey arise not because of the country or developers, but due to the wrong choice of intermediary.

Typical consequences:

• overpriced properties;
• bait properties;
• no post-sale support;
• issues with documents and residence permits;
• the "agent" disappears.

Good news – 90% of risks can be eliminated in 10 minutes if you know exactly what to check.

⏱ Checklist: How to Check a Real Estate Agency in 10 Minutes and how to buy property without overpaying or risks

Below is a step-by-step guide used by experienced buyers and investors.

1️⃣ Check the license (mandatory)

In Turkey, a real estate agency is legally required to have a Taşınmaz Ticareti Yetki Belgesi license.

What matters:

• the license is issued to the company, not the manager;
• the license number is not hidden;
• it can be verified in official registries.

For reference:

2️⃣ Check the website domain age

This is a simple but very indicative step.

How to check:
any WHOIS service → enter the website address. Here is one of free domain checking services

What to pay attention to:

• domain older than 1 year – normal sign;
• domain 6–12 months old, but they claim "10–15 years of experience" – discrepancy;
• frequent domain changes = attempt to escape reputation.

3️⃣ Find out who is at the head of the company

Reliable agency:

• has a legal entity;
• does not hide management;
• shows real people, not an abstract "team".

If: no names; no faces; no management history – 👉 there will be no one to answer.

4️⃣ Startup ≠ scam: where is the line

Let's be honest: every business has a start, and a young company is not bad by itself.

What to look for:

• do dates, numbers, and facts match;
• does the company not claim "other people's years";
• does the domain age correspond to claimed experience;
• is there a real development path.

5️⃣ Contacts: only corporate

Minimum requirements:

• corporate phone (not personal);
• official email;
• office with address;
• multiple communication channels.

6️⃣ Telegram – high-risk zone

Telegram is convenient, but most one-day intermediaries operate there.

Pay attention:

• is there a website and office, not just a channel;
• does the nickname change;
• is there a contact number in the profile;
• is there a publication history;
• are there real cases, not just "discounts".

7️⃣ Reviews: logic matters more than quantity

Real reviews usually:

• differ in tone and content;
• contain specific details and context;
• have different posting dates;
• include not only positive, but also neutral or critical evaluations.

Warning signs:

• reviews look similar and "copy-pasted";
• no critical comments;
• no questions, clarifications, or notes from real clients.

8️⃣ Control question about the property

Ask directly:

• is the property in the company portfolio?
• is the price confirmed by a contract with the owner or developer?
• can you see the official price list?

If the answer is: "This property has already been sold, but there is a similar one" – you are dealing with a bait property.

🚩 Signs of a one-day agency

• no license;
• no office;
• no corporate phones;
• website younger than 1 year without explanation;
• communication only via Telegram;
• prices too low;
• property swap after contact.

🧾 Short checklist (save it)

Answer "yes" or "no":

• ✔ has a license?
• ✔ domain older than 1 year or history explained?
• ✔ has office and address?
• ✔ corporate phones?
• ✔ clear management?
• ✔ property confirmed with documents?

If 2–3 answers are "no" – better stop.

🔑 Main conclusion

A real estate agency is checked not by words and prices, but by:

• license;
• history;
• people;
• portfolio;
• responsibility.