Rental prices in these Istanbul districts have increased by 30 percent: Citizens' preferences have changed

In recent years, earthquakes that have shaken Turkey and experts' warnings of a "major Istanbul earthquake" have caused a radical change in citizens' housing preferences. While factors such as social amenities, views, or central locations previously stood out, structural safety has now taken the top spot. Technical elements such as building age, number of floors, and soil surveys, in particular, play a decisive role in buying and selling.

RENTS INCREASED BY 30 PERCENT

The recent 6.2-magnitude earthquake in Istanbul has rapidly increased demand for districts with stable ground. As the search for rental and for-sale homes has intensified in regions such as Başakşehir, Arnavutköy, Sarıyer, Beykoz, Gaziosmanpaşa, Şile, and Çekmeköy, this has also been reflected in rental prices. In the last 6 months, rents in these districts have increased by an average of 30 percent.

In contrast, rental increases in regions considered to have risky ground, such as Avcılar, Bakırköy, Yeşilköy, Zeytinburnu, Tuzla, Üsküdar, and Sultanbeyli, remained in the 5-7 percent range.

Citizens are now turning specifically to buildings constructed after 1999 that comply with the new earthquake regulations and have a maximum of five floors. While projects with soil surveys and branded housing are preferred more, it is observed that construction companies are also focusing on projects that meet these demands.

Real estate consultants state that even those looking for rental homes are questioning these details, and questions such as "how old is the building, how many floors does it have, and is there a soil analysis?" have now gained priority.

INTENSE INTEREST IN URBAN TRANSFORMATION

Citizens living in risky areas are also seeking solutions in urban transformation. Many people who want to protect both their lives and their property values are applying to municipalities and private companies for transformation. Issues such as soil surveys, technical reports, and structural analysis have become priority agenda items in this process.

It is not just the ground that is effective in housing preferences, but also changes in lifestyle. Rising divorce rates, young people choosing to live alone, and the spread of the work-from-home model have increased interest in 1+1 apartments. Small-square-meter, centrally located 1+1 apartments have become the favorites of both investors and tenants.