Checklist for Viewing a Resale Home

Listing photos show a home at its best. A few minutes of attention while viewing can prevent thousands of liras in surprises after you buy. Save the list below on your phone and check it off as you go.

Moisture, mold and waterproofing

• Is there bubbling, staining or a fresh-paint smell along the base of walls, around window edges or in ceiling corners?
• Look behind the bathroom and kitchen cabinets and under the sinks.
• If it is a top-floor unit, ask when the roof was last redone; if it is a basement or ground-floor unit, check the floor for moisture.
• Are there cracks or spalling on the exterior facade?

Plumbing and electrical systems

• Check the water pressure at the taps and how long it takes for hot water to arrive.
• Is the electrical panel and are the breakers new? Is there a residual-current (leakage) breaker?
• Ask the age of the boiler (kombi) and when it was last serviced.
• Find out whether the natural gas installation has an approved project.

Light, noise and orientation

• Note which way the home faces; the amount of sunlight it gets affects heating costs in winter.
• Open and close the windows to listen for outside noise.
• Pay attention to the distance to the neighboring building and whether the view is permanent; an empty lot can be built on later.

Building and management

• How much are the monthly dues (aidat), and what do they cover? Is there any unpaid dues balance?
• Has a major expense (facade, elevator renewal, roof) recently been decided on? These costs usually fall to the new owner.
• Has the elevator passed its periodic inspection (green label)?
• How are the parking, storage and shelter areas shared?

Documents

• Title deed record and its registered nature
• Occupancy permit
• Energy performance certificate (if any)
• Management plan (yönetim planı)
• DASK policy