Video Briefing

The Wandering Investor: The best way to buy Real Estate in Istanbul, Turkey

Apr 23, 2021Video Briefing10:28Watch on YouTube

The renovated 90 m² apartment in the Nişantaşı‑adjacent neighborhood of Şişli offers a 5.5 % gross rental yield at a price of 950 000 TRY (≈ 140 000 USD). The unit includes a 10 m² terrace, high ceilings, a mezzanine level, and is fully furnished.

Property details

  • Size: 90 m² living area + 10 m² terrace
  • Layout: Open‑plan living/kitchen, large bedroom (≈ 25–30 m²) with optional walk‑in closet, mezzanine that can serve as a guest room or home office, modern bathroom, and a rooftop terrace.
  • Construction: Recently renovated; high ceilings and contemporary finishes.
  • Furniture: Included in the sale price.
  • Utilities: Natural gas connection pending; will be activated before tenant move‑in.

Rental income and yield

  • Tenant: American employee of an NGO, moving in at the end of the week.
  • Monthly rent: 4 500 TRY.
  • Gross yield: 5.5 % (4 500 TRY × 12 ÷ 950 000 TRY).
  • Occupancy: Tenant secured before construction completion, minimizing vacancy risk.

Neighborhood characteristics

  • Location: Central European side of Istanbul, near historic textile workshops and shops.
  • Daytime activity: Commercial textile businesses create moderate daytime foot traffic.
  • Nighttime environment: Quiet; bars and restaurants are a short walk away, but the immediate street remains low‑noise.
  • Accessibility: Close to CBD high‑rises, city views include the Hilton Beaumonte; public transport and amenities within walking distance.

Buyer‑agent model

  • The agency acts both as a buyer’s agent—conducting detailed client briefs, extensive phone outreach, and due‑diligence—and as a seller of its own limited inventory.
  • Properties are offered to clients when the agency believes the price is attractive relative to the local market.
  • In this case, the agency could have retained the unit for an additional ≈ 100 000 TRY on the secondary market but chose to sell to a client seeking immediate rental income.

Client demographics

  • Buyers originate from a wide range of regions: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, the broader Middle East, Europe (including a growing number of Europeans returning to Istanbul), the United States, China, and occasional Irish investors.

Market comparison

Metric This property Typical new‑development units (suburban)
Price per m² (USD) ≈ 1 560 USD ≈ 2 000 USD (often > 2 000 USD)
Gross yield 5.5 % 2 %–2.5 %
Location Central Istanbul (≈ 15 million residents) Suburban areas, ≈ 1 hour from city centre
Currency risk Priced in TRY, rent in TRY Often priced in USD, rent in local currency

Developments marketed for rapid citizenship or residency often command prices above 2 000 USD/m² and deliver yields of 2 %–2.5 %, whereas this centrally located, fully renovated unit provides a higher yield at a lower price per square metre.

Investment considerations

  • Yield vs. price: The 5.5 % yield is attractive relative to comparable Istanbul assets, especially given the central location.
  • Currency exposure: Rental income and purchase price are in Turkish lira; investors should assess exchange‑rate risk.
  • Tenant quality: An NGO employee may offer stable, long‑term tenancy, but verification of employment and lease terms is advisable.
  • Liquidity: Central Istanbul properties tend to retain value better than peripheral developments, but market conditions can affect resale timing.
  • Operational costs: Factor in utilities, property management, and potential maintenance of high‑ceiling interiors.

Overall, the apartment demonstrates how a modestly priced, centrally located renovation can deliver yields significantly above those of newer suburban projects, making it a compelling option for investors seeking cash‑flow and exposure to Istanbul’s large, historic market.