Turkey Housing Sales, September 2026: Foreign Buyers Return as the Market Slows

Foreign buyers bought more homes in Turkey in September 2026 than they did a year earlier. At the same time, total home sales fell. For anyone planning to buy, this is a good reason to compare properties carefully and ask sellers about their price and payment terms.

The latest housing sales report from TÜİK, published on 16 October 2026, shows that different parts of the market are moving in different directions. Sales to foreign buyers and sales of new homes rose. Sales of homes that had been sold before fell. Here is what the figures mean and how they can help you plan your purchase.

Turkey home sales in September 2026

Foreign buyers made up 1.5% of all home sales that month. Russian citizens bought the most homes, with 388 purchases. Iraqi citizens followed with 166, and German citizens bought 162.

Looking at the first nine months gives a clearer picture. From January to September, total sales reached 1,092,919, down 7.2% from the same period last year. Foreign buyers bought 15,308 homes, down 4.3%. September was a better month for foreign sales, but we need more monthly results before saying that demand is growing again over the longer term.

What does this mean if you want to buy?

Our view at SimplyTR: take time to compare a few good options. A new home may suit you because it is ready to use or offers the features you want. A previously owned home may offer a location you prefer or more room to discuss the price. Your budget and your plans for the property should guide the choice.

These figures tell us how many homes were sold. They do not tell us how much sellers reduced their prices or how much buyers can earn from rent. They also do not show the effect of exchange rates and purchase costs on an investment.

The report does not explain why each foreign buyer bought a home. Some may be buying a place to live, a holiday home or an investment. We cannot assume that every purchase is linked to citizenship.

If you are new to the process, our Turkey property guide for foreign buyers explains the main steps. Use the monthly sales figures as background when choosing which properties to look at.

Should you buy a new home or a previously owned home?

Buying a new home: check what the price includes

New-home sales rose in September, so this part of the market is worth a closer look. When comparing projects, ask for the total cost, the payment dates and when the home will be ready. Check which materials, fittings and services are included, and how much you will pay in regular building fees.

Ask which shared facilities are already open and which are still planned. Two apartments with a similar price can be very different once you compare the floor, living space, view, parking, furniture and regular costs.

If you can pay in instalments, compare the total with the price for paying in full. Also check which currency you must use for each payment.

Buying a previously owned home: prepare a clear offer

Fewer sales may give you a reason to ask for a better price. However, this does not mean that every seller will accept a large discount. Look at similar homes for sale, recent sale prices where available, and the work the property needs before you can move in.

For example, an older apartment may cost less than a finished new home. But you should add the cost of repairs, building charges and any time when you cannot rent it out. This helps you compare the real cost of both options and make a reasonable offer.

Istanbul, Antalya or Bodrum: which fits your plans?

The points below can help you compare locations. They are not a ranking based on September foreign sales. We have not checked the foreign-sales figures for each province in this report. Also, figures for Muğla province should not be used as figures for Bodrum alone.

Istanbul: think about daily life

If you plan to live in the home, check the journey to work, nearby schools and local services before choosing a project. If you plan to rent it out, think about who would rent it and compare similar homes in the same area.

A well-known address may appeal to one buyer, while easy access to work matters more to another. Choose what fits your needs and budget. Our Istanbul home-buying guide can help you choose a few areas to focus on.

Antalya: decide how you will use the home

Will you live there, visit for holidays or rent it out? If rent is an important part of your plan, ask for records from the property or similar homes. Check how often they are rented and how much management costs.

Work out what you could earn if the home is rented for fewer months than the seller expects. This gives you a more careful plan for your budget.

Bodrum: include the cost of looking after a second home

Think about how often you will visit and who will look after the property while you are away. Check access to the home, repairs, site fees and the cost of keeping it ready for your arrival.

If you want to rent it out, check the required permissions and when people are likely to book it before counting on that income. Our Turkey coastal property guide compares several seaside locations.

Five questions to ask before reserving a home

1. Why am I buying? Decide whether your main goal is a home to live in, a second home, rental income or a citizenship application. If citizenship is your goal, check that the property and your planned purchase meet the relevant rules.
2. What is my full budget? Include purchase costs, professional fees, furniture, repairs and regular charges. Keep some money aside for costs after you buy.
3. Are the property documents in order? Have the ownership papers checked, including any debts, mortgages or legal limits linked to the property. Check the building and planning records too. For a home still being built, review the promised delivery date and the developer's duties.
4. How will I pay and receive ownership? Confirm the bank, currency exchange and land-registry documents needed for your case. Agree on when each payment will happen before sending money.
5. What if I want to sell later? Think about who might buy or rent the home in the future. Could you afford to keep it if selling took longer than expected?

A good price is more useful when the ownership documents are in order, the regular costs fit your budget and the home meets your needs.

What should buyers watch next?

In the next reports, look for three things: whether foreign buyers keep buying more homes, whether sales of previously owned homes stop falling, and whether new-home sales remain strong.

Then compare the national figures with what is happening in the area where you want to buy. A monthly report gives you useful background, but it cannot tell you the right price for one apartment.

If you are ready to buy, compare a few suitable homes in writing. Ask each seller the same questions and include the same types of costs. This will make it easier to choose and discuss the price.

Plan your property purchase with SimplyTR

Tell us where you would like to buy, your budget, how you plan to use the home and when you want to move forward. SimplyTR can help you compare suitable properties and understand what needs checking before you decide.

Book a free property consultation to discuss Istanbul, Antalya or Bodrum and plan a purchase that fits your needs.

Source and how to read the figures

Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK): Housing and Commercial Property Sales Statistics, September 2026. Published on 16 October 2026 and checked on 19 October 2026. This article uses the figures for homes. Unless we say otherwise, changes are compared with the same period in 2025.

The table groups sales in different ways. A home bought by a foreign buyer or with a mortgage can also be a new or previously owned home. Do not add these rows together.

The location advice and buying examples are SimplyTR's views. They are not sales figures for individual provinces or promises about future returns.

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