Most importantly, buying off plan in Turkey achieves buying a brand new property at the lowest possible price. Off plan investment works mainly by offering a given property for delivery tomorrow at the price it would be today. As the popularity of the Turkish property market continues to grow, prices increase - sometimes fairly rapidly. The price agreed at contract signing is fixed. The actual payment for the property is made relaxed - in stages, across the construction period of the property. On completion of the project and key handover, the value of the property can be anything from 20-60% higher than the price agreed. This is also an excellent way of buying a property for personal use. The earlier you commit, the less you pay. As the developer sells more units on a single development, the pressure to sell eases and the unit price rises.

Recent off plan examples include a property bought at plan stage for £35,000 and sold (before completion) at £45,000 - a £10,000 profit on an initial investment of £35,000 - in 7 months. Also consider that the original invester hadn't even had to pay all his stage payments at the time of reselling. On another project, those who could look at a plot of land and some artists impressions and see the potential bought off plan. The price agreed was £69,000. One year on, these properties were selling for over £100,000. Another luxury development sold out off plan with a completion date 18 months from plan release. A year and a half later the properties were handed over - at a price that would buy nothing in the resort - luxury or otherwise - at that price anymore.

Part of the success of Off Plan investing is exactly that - taking the plot, the plans and the images and being able to picture the finished article. Those who can do, those who can't pay far more when they buy later - when the pool is full and the grass has grown, and they can see the potential because it is built and they are looking at it. Lack of foresight and imagination is fine, but expensive.

All Off Plan agreements differ, but all offer the exceptional value and capital return potential explained above. Some Off Plan payments schemes gear themselves to being highly attractively balanced - in the purchasers favour - with final payments (on completion) being as much as 40%. On a £50,000 property, your commitment from signing till the day of handover - many months later - would only be £30,000. On the day of handover, the value of said property is likely to be far more than the agreed £50,000. You either have a property that has
made a very healthy profit before you move in, or had resold it before the final payments were due.

At this point I'd like to offer a view from the other side of the fence (I was an agent for a huge value of properties and now a developer). Here are some observations gained, they are offered as an honest appraisal of my experiences with the buying British public, who were looking for investment rather than holiday home.

You also need to consider the type of property, completion date (if applic.) and size of development. These are often missed when evaluating what may be a shrewd investment here.

Rather than show an example of a good investment, here is an idea of a poor bet: A two bedroom apartment, 15 minutes walk from the beach, in a complex of 72 units, completion date late 2007. Attractively priced.

OK, sounds lovely - keep your money in your pocket for a minute or two. The main things the above need to say to you - when you come to sell -are the following:

1. Two bedroom apartments are by far the most common unit type. Your potential buyer will be able to see dozens like yours.

2. 15 minutes walk from the beach - imagine how many similar properties are 2 minutes walk from the beach, not many - 5 minutes - a couple of dozen? 15 minutes walk from the beach - most of them? Again, you will be in the market with so many alike properties.

3. A complex of 72 - at first glance this may mean lovely big pools and maybe other useful on site facilities - bar or full time security staff - but you are likely to spend a long time having your resale property for sale at the same time that the developer has lovely gleaming new ones available, and possibly at the price you originally paid - your chances of shifting yours over those (and making a profit) are minimal.

4. Exactly the same problem as 3. Furthermore, the liklihood of others doing exactly what you are planning to do is high.

You can make a good short or long profit here in Turkey - and using the above you will be looking for as many of the following as possible...

1. A 3 bedroom+ apartment (also helps if you are buying to rent - can you imagine how many 2 beds there are, and how many families who can't fit in a 2 bed?)

2. Keep close to the beach, or close to the centre (if no beach) as your funds allow. Buy smaller but closer if you need to compromise.

3. Buy on an attractive, small complex. No more than 12 units.

4. Buy on a project nearer to completion if possible.

Off plans make good investments, but only when you consider the earlier points. Using the above information, you can make a good return - I've helped dozens of people make money here.

Take time to ensure everything has been done correctly - it's almost funny how many people insist on double glazing - but don't even take time to try the windows to see if they open and shut properly - even though they stood and looked out of them. That is your choice, it's your money you will be sending.

As a final observation based on past experience - assume nothing. Make sure everything that is important to you is in the contract - the spoken word is easy to trust here, the written word is easier to prove.

If you have any questions about Off Plan Investing, or would like independent financial advice from professionals who have specific experience in this area, please us the "Contact Us" page.