Before paying a deposit, clarify who receives the money, what commitment it relates to and which information has not yet been checked. Use this checklist to prepare a conversation with a lawyer or another appropriate professional.
Identify the people and the property.
Ask who the seller and payment recipient are, how any agent is involved and which property the transaction concerns. Where authorisation is required, confirm who will check its scope and validity.
- Do the registration details match the property you viewed?
- Does the person negotiating have authority to handle the transaction?
- Why does the payment recipient match, or differ from, the party named in the contract?
Ask a professional to explain the title checks.
Türkiye's Investment Office advises checking for mortgages, attachments and other restrictions on the property before starting a transaction. Ask a professional to explain what the findings mean for your purchase. Read the official guidance ↗
Also ask which building, use or handover documents are needed, what the lawyer checks and what requires a separate technical inspection.
Put the deposit arrangements in writing.
- What are the amount, currency, payment date and receiving account?
- Does the payment reserve the property, relate to a contract or serve another purpose?
- Which conditions must be met before the next step?
- What happens to money already paid if documents are problematic, there is a delay or the purchase does not complete?
- Who will explain the refund, deduction and dispute-resolution terms?
Distinguish signing, payment and registration.
Ask the professional handling the transaction to set out the sequence, documents, responsible parties and payment conditions at each stage. Do not infer completion from a verbal assurance alone.
Check each power you grant.
Ask a lawyer to explain the tasks, scope and use of each power in a power of attorney. Check document format, translation and certification requirements for the place of signing and intended use.
This checklist helps you prepare questions. It does not replace a specific review of a property and its contract.
This article provides general preparation information. It is not individual legal, tax or investment advice. Matters involving a specific transaction should be checked by appropriate professionals.