Foreign Buyers Shift Preferences in Türkiye’s Housing Market
Istanbul
A notable shift is emerging in Türkiye’s real estate market, as foreign buyers begin to favor new regions beyond the traditionally dominant hubs of Istanbul, Antalya, and Mersin. According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data, cities like Ankara, İzmir, and Sakarya are rising in popularity among foreign property investors during the first four months of 2025.
Foreign Sales Drop Overall, but New Cities See Growth
Between January and April 2025, a total of 454,145 residential properties were sold across Türkiye—a 27.9% increase from the same period last year. However, home sales to foreigners declined by 13.5%, from 6,957 units in 2024 to 6,018 units this year.
Despite the overall dip, the distribution of foreign demand is changing, with Ankara, İzmir, and Sakarya registering steady growth in foreign ownership.
Istanbul and Antalya See Decreased Demand
Once the most sought-after markets, Istanbul and Antalya have seen foreign interest cool.
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Istanbul: Sales to foreigners dropped 5.9%, from 2,460 to 2,314 units.
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Antalya: Fell by 20.7%, from 2,478 to 1,965 units.
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Mersin: Also saw a decline, although exact figures were not disclosed.
In contrast, buyers are turning to other regions:
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Ankara: Home sales to foreigners rose from 170 to 192 units (+12.9%)
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İzmir: Posted a 16% increase
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Sakarya: Saw a significant 20.7% jump in foreign transactions
Why Are Preferences Changing?
The shift may reflect several factors, including rising property prices, saturation in top-tier cities, and growing interest in affordable, developing areas. Foreigners could also be seeking less crowded cities, better investment returns, or smoother bureaucratic processes in emerging destinations.
Experts are interpreting this trend as a potential sign of diversification in foreign investment behavior within Türkiye’s real estate market.
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