What is a duplex in Turkey
In Turkey, duplexes are two-level comfortable spacious apartments located within multi-story residential buildings. Two-level apartments are a fairly common type of layout solutions in the Turkish real estate market. Such objects can be found in almost any modern complex.
The correct designation for the layout is "duplex" and not "duplex". Also, do not confuse Turkish two-level housing with English or American duplex type real estate - a house in which two or more families live under one roof.
Duplexes are a prestigious Turkish property. Buying a duplex in Turkey by the sea is a great option for both a large family and those who appreciate spacious apartments. You can buy such apartments at a relatively low cost.
Read about the types of duplexes in Turkey, their pros, cons and key differences from other popular types of housing in our new article.
Types of Duplexes in Turkey
In order to better understand what a duplex is, let's look at the types of properties available on the Turkish real estate market:
- An upper (straight) duplex is an apartment in which, according to the layout, the owner enters the apartment on the first level and goes up an internal staircase to the second.
- A lower (reverse) duplex is an apartment in which the entrance door is on the second level and the main living area is on the first.
- A Bakhche duplex, or garden duplex , in simple terms, is a home that occupies the first two floors of a house and has, as a bonus, its own exit to a small adjacent plot or garden.
The name bahçe duplex comes from the Turkish word “bahçe” – “garden”.
Penthouses are worth mentioning separately - luxurious apartments on the top floors of residential complexes. Although a penthouse is structurally a duplex, it is essentially a separate type of expensive, high-status and highly liquid real estate. On the second level of such apartments there is always a large terrace with a recreation area, where the developer often designs a swimming pool, barbecue area and other amenities.
The most popular layout option for duplexes is 3+1, that is, these are apartments with three bedrooms and one living room combined with a kitchen.
Pros of duplexes
Duplexes have a number of undeniable advantages:
- This type of residential real estate has a clear demarcation of private and formal areas. Most often, the layout on one of the floors provides for a kitchen and living room, a study, a guest bathroom and utility rooms, such as a pantry or laundry room. On the second level, closed from prying eyes, there are bedrooms, bathrooms, and a dressing room.
- As a rule, duplexes in Turkey have a larger area than standard apartments. This is a significant plus for investors who are planning to relocate with their children. In addition, liquid and more spacious housing brings owners more income from renting out.
- The presence of sufficient footage and two levels allows for the harmonious use of different design solutions within one duplex, which is quite difficult to implement in a small one-story apartment.
- The two-level layout of duplexes in Turkey is an opportunity to live on the territory of one apartment, for example, for two generations of one family. Moreover, this format of living will not cause any significant inconveniences if the area allows, and also if the stairs to the second level are located right next to the entrance to the apartment.
- The presence of a staircase is both a big advantage and a disadvantage of two-level apartments. On the one hand, a staircase always gives a living space an atmosphere of luxury, and on the other hand, such a structure takes up quite a lot of space, which leads to a decrease in the total area of the apartment to about 10%. But if the duplex is spacious, then such losses in footage are practically unnoticeable.
- The cost of duplexes in Turkey is relatively low. For example, the average price tag for ready-to-live-in duplexes in Alanya is around 120,000–250,000 EUR. In addition, you can invest in this type of real estate at an early stage of construction by taking out an interest-free installment plan from the developer. Installment payments are possible according to an individually agreed, convenient schedule.
- Duplexes, like other types of Turkish housing, are delivered with a clean finish, that is, with a fully completed renovation. Elite options assume that a unique design project will be implemented in the premises.
- Basically, this type of layout is presented in new modern residential complexes with their own diverse infrastructure at the level of five-star hotels.
Disadvantages of duplexes
The main disadvantages of duplexes in Turkey:
- Cost. Turkish duplex apartments are more expensive than standard one-story apartments. A surcharge is also possible if the housing has elite status.
- Utilities. The larger the area, the higher the monthly utility bills for owners.
- Lack of central heating. Duplexes, as well as any other types of resort real estate, do not have central heating. In winter, apartments are heated by air conditioners, electric convectors, and heated floors. It is worth noting that every year more and more houses in Turkey are built with central heating.
Selection of duplexes in Turkey
Turkey, Alanya
172 500
Rooms: 3+1
ID:9908
Area: 190 m²
To the sea: 3 km
Year of construction: 2022
Turkey, Alanya
341 000
Rooms: 2+1
ID:9893
Area: 100 m²
To the sea: 50 m
Year of construction: 2023
Turkey, Alanya
192 500
Rooms: 2+1
ID:9785
Area: 101 m²
To the sea: 1.5 km
Year of construction: 2023
Turkey, Alanya
121 000
Rooms: 2+1
ID:9461
Area: 80 m²
To the sea: 217 m
Year of construction: 2023
Turkey, Alanya
192 000
Rooms: 2+1
ID:9390
Area: 160 m²
To the sea: 300 m
Year of construction: 2015
Turkey, Alanya
148 500
Rooms: 2+1
ID:8966
Area: 100 m²
To the sea: 1.2 km
Year of construction: 2023
Turkey, Alanya
220 000
Rooms: 3+1
ID:7887
Area: 135 m²
To the sea: 1.8 km
Year of construction: 2006
Turkey, Alanya
286 000
Rooms: 3+1
ID:7088
Area: 170 m²
To the sea: 200 m
Year of construction: 2015
Differences between a duplex and an apartment, house, townhouse and cottage
So, as we have already found out, a duplex is a spacious apartment located on two levels within an apartment building.
A townhouse, unlike a duplex, is a complex of houses under one common roof. Several families live separately from each other in each section. One wall between neighbors is always common, and the number of sections ranges from 2 to 10. In addition, if duplexes are always two-level apartments, then townhouses can have, for example, three floors. In townhouses, the project provides for a separate entrance for each of the owners and a small adjacent territory, which can have a parking lot, a recreation area and even a swimming pool. Often, townhouses are combined into a single residential complex with security and internal infrastructure in a closed area. The optimal cost of townhouses is due to the presence of common communications and a common roof.
The main difference between a duplex and an apartment is the number of floors. That is, a standard apartment in Turkey is always located on one floor, unlike two-level duplexes. In addition, apartments often have a smaller area and cost, compared to Turkish duplexes. Duplexes can be characterized as something between an apartment and a house in terms of square footage and price.
Unlike a duplex, cottages and houses are detached private buildings of one or more floors, not connected by common walls with other cottages. The main advantage of this type of property is complete privacy, thanks to the presence of a garden plot. There is perhaps only one difference between houses and cottages - area. A cottage or villa is most often built with an area of 100-500 m2, while houses are buildings with an area of up to 100-200 m2. However, both types of real estate have a number of undeniable advantages, due to which the price per square meter is higher than that of duplexes in Turkey.
And one more important point: houses and cottages are often located at a greater distance from the city center, while duplexes can be designed in any residential complex, both in the central areas and by the sea or in the suburbs.
| CHARACTERISTICS | DUPLEX | APARTMENT | HOUSE | COTTAGE | TOWNHOUSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUMBER OF FLOORS | 2 | 1 | There are no clear standards | There are no clear standards | Most often 1-3 |
| STANDARD AREA ( m2 ) | 100–200 | 70–100 | up to 100 | 100–500 | 80–200 |
| NUMBER OF ROOMS (LAYOUT) | 2+1, 3+1, 4+2, 5+2 | 1+1, 2+1, 3+1 | 3+1, 4+2, 5+2 | 3+2, 4+2, 5+2 | 2+1, 3+1, 3+2 |
| COMMON ROOF | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| COMMON WALL WITH NEIGHBORS | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| HOUSE PLOT | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Who is a duplex suitable for?
Two-level apartments, or duplexes in Turkey, due to their high liquidity, are one of the best options for a profitable investment of funds. With the right choice, it will be easy for the owner to find tenants, since such properties are in quite high demand both among vacationers and foreigners moving to Turkey for permanent residence with their whole family. In addition, if desired, the investor can easily resell the apartment at a favorable price.
Duplex in Turkey is a suitable option for foreigners who:
- want to have residential real estate with a convenient layout and sufficient space for a large family to live in, but cannot afford a detached house or villa;
- want to live in close proximity to all city infrastructure;
- value the highest level of comfort and modern interior design;
- plan to make friends and actively communicate with neighbors;
- choose real estate that is ideal for both living and profitable rental.
If you have already planned to buy a duplex or any other type of real estate in Turkey, contact the specialists of Altop Real Estate. We guarantee you comprehensive support at all stages of choosing and buying a home, comfortable terms of the purchase and sale transaction, and will also provide a wide range of services within the after-sales service.
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