Due diligence has no universally recognized definition, and it is not frequently translated into regional tongues. Most frequently, lawyers define it as the process a prospective buyer goes through to make sure he or she is buying exactly what they believe they are. In its most basic form, due diligence is a review of a company’s entire operations and a risk assessment of the present and foreseeable future.

Similar to what is done with real estate, due diligence is one of the most crucial steps in the process of purchasing properties, especially those with higher values. It entails analyzing the property’s legal, technical, and financial aspects and is a necessary step before the deal is finalized. The prevention of the possibility of one party in the transaction being intentionally or unintentionally misled makes its implementation important for all market participants.

The Importance of Due Diligence When Buying Property in Turkey

Step one – Market analysis and valuation constitute

The first step is a thorough analysis of the market, with a focus on the location, marketability, and general property market. In-depth analyses are conducted of the property’s location, market trends, economic factors like demographics, unemployment, and purchasing power, as well as SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, the property’s current and potential future development, real estate valuation, and cost analysis. Market research and comparable sales give buyers insight into the property’s potential, which helps them decide whether to move on to the due diligence phase of the analysis.

A)Legal due diligence

One of the most crucial steps in the real estate inspection process is the legal analysis, which gives the buyer knowledge of the legal implications before making a purchase decision. The register of business companies, real estate cadastre, land registry, planning and technical documentation, legally binding agreements, and other pertinent legal documents are used to gather pertinent information.

Legal due diligence typically entails examining the legal standing of transactions, tangible and intangible assets, labor agreements, compliance with tax regulations, analysis of the most important contractual relationships, encumbrances, litigation or other proceedings related to the transaction, as well as an assessment of all potential legal risks.

The Importance of Due Diligence When Buying Property in Turkey

B) Tax Due Diligence

The specific calculations of the taxpayer or entity, as well as the taxable property or assets included in the transaction, are crucial. Taxes involved in a real estate trade can also have a significant impact on the financial aspect of the transaction and on the evaluation of the economic profitability of the investment. As a result, a person buying real estate might be subject to a different tax rate than a business would. Buyers may be subject to different taxes depending on their citizenship or nationality, as tax rates vary between nations.

The Importance of Due Diligence When Buying Property in Turkey

C) Technical due diligence is option

Technical due diligence always includes a property inspection on-site and covers the items related to the tangible aspect of real estate. From the foundation to the roof, the building must be carefully inspected. Defects and risks must be noted, costs must be estimated, and all of this must be supported by photographic evidence. Technical due diligence provides information about how the building, all systems, gadgets, and equipment operate. It also examines the status of permits and looks into potential risks associated with the property’s operation in the coming years.

A thorough pre-purchase analysis strengthens the buyer’s negotiating position and expedites the purchasing or selling of real estate. Given that the condition of the item is typically reflected in the price, certain technical flaws discovered on the facility could affect the purchase price. Real estate investing carries risks, so no significant purchase should be considered without carrying out the necessary technical due diligence.

D) Financial diligence

Financial due diligence is the process of analyzing all financial statements related to the property, income, capital investments, operating expenses, and potential risks.

The cash flow projection for a chosen time period, periodic returns, valuation, and credit and asset rating analysis are all included in the financial analysis. Analyzing historical financial statements for any potential risk factors, irrecoverable costs, losses, debts, or inconsistencies is another requirement of financial due diligence.

The Importance of Due Diligence When Buying Property in Turkey

E) Commercial due diligence

When purchasing real estate that generates rental income (office buildings, shopping centers, logistics parks, etc.), it is crucial to perform commercial due diligence. In order to assess the viability of the income that the subject property can generate in the upcoming period, the key goal of this phase is to analyze in detail the existing lease agreements and all commercial terms of the agreements. This analysis will be done by comparing them with the current market conditions.

F) Environmental due diligence is item

Although they are frequently ignored during the real estate analysis process, environmental factors could have a negative impact on future economic viability.

Assessments of water supply, hazardous waste, and noise pollution, building quality, including asbestos checks, and legal issues like weakness and non-compliance analysis are the main categories in environmental due diligence. With the introduction of new laws and sustainability principles governing waste management, water conservation, and energy efficiency, environmental factors are becoming more and more significant. This makes environmental due diligence more and more crucial because the penalties for non-compliance are rising.

On behalf of the investors, experts and consultants typically conduct the due diligence process. Technical, financial, commercial, and legal due diligence can all be completed by consultants and experts from CBS International. Legal due diligence is carried out by attorneys or specialized agencies for legal consulting. Tax due diligence is carried out by financial advisors.