If you are in China, viewing Turkish properties by video can help you organise your options. Before watching, list what you want to see. Afterwards, note the questions still unanswered.
Use these questions when speaking to the person showing the property. You do not need to ask them all at once; begin with the intended use, rooms and surroundings that matter most to you.
01 / Confirm which property you are seeing.
Ask for the filming date, building, floor and layout. Distinguish the actual unit from a show home or another example of the same layout. Separately confirm whether the furniture, outlook and finishes belong to this property.
- Is this the property under consideration or another home shown for reference?
- Is anyone living there, and are any areas unavailable to film?
- Which furniture, appliances and finishes shown are included in the quoted price?
02 / Start at the entrance and walk through continuously.
Ask for a walkthrough from the front door through the living room, bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and balcony, explaining how the rooms connect. Continuous footage helps show the layout; edited clips and wide-angle lenses cannot establish actual dimensions.
Request measurements or dimensioned plans for areas that matter to you, with an explanation of how floor area is calculated. Important dimensions still need on-site verification.
03 / Pause on easily overlooked details.
Look around windows, corners, ceilings, kitchen and bathroom floors, and equipment. If you see staining, cracks or damage, record the location and ask for closer footage. Do not infer the cause or repair cost from images alone.
- What can you hear with the windows open and closed?
- What time was the room filmed, and were the lights on?
- Which equipment can be demonstrated, and what needs separate checking?
Images, microphones and filming times affect impressions. Assess light, noise and property condition through an on-site visit and appropriate professional checks as well.
04 / Step outside and explore the surroundings.
Where filming is permitted, ask to see corridors, lifts, entrances, common areas and the street. Discuss shopping, transport, parking and the actual paths you would take in daily life.
If a concern depends on the time of day, request daytime, evening or busier-period footage. Avoid filming residents' personal information or unrelated people's private activities.
05 / Keep a list of what remains unverified.
Use three columns: observed, explained by the other party, and still to verify. An area missing from the video is not automatically problem-free. List the photos, documents and inspections needed next.
You could ask: “Please confirm the filming date and exact property, then walk continuously from the entrance. I am most interested in daylight, noise and the condition of the kitchen and bathroom. Please also show the common areas and street, and mark anything you cannot yet confirm.”
Remote videos support an initial comparison. They do not replace title and contract checks, necessary site visits or building inspections. To prepare further, also read the pre-payment checklist and new-build versus resale guide.
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.