Taurus of Galata, a real estate investment fund located in Istanbul, serves private and institutional investors from all over the world. The company specializes in renovation and construction of high-end residential and mixed use properties in downtown Beyoglu and downtown Kadikoy districts of Istanbul. Taurus offers the opportunity to live in style in one of the world's premier metropolises, Istanbul. Brief introduction about the scope of services provided and information on some of the assets owned by Taurus can be accessed via their corporate website. www.taurusofgalata.com

The international mortgage crisis, that has also affected the real estate industry in Istanbul, was not able to change the pace of development in Istanbul's Beşiktaş and Şişli districts, according to brokers working the region. Both neighborhoods continue to attract investors as they did in the past years. The sales price of a single luxury apartment in a new project developed in the region has surpassed $6.5 million, while second-hand house prices have also increased immensely.

The stagnation in property sales as a result of the increase in bank interest rates has led construction firms to apply different financing models similar to the “bill system” to spur demand. Some of the big companies offer various installment options up to 24 months with at zero interest while others offer interest rates below 1 percent and longer installment options. The firms aim to see off the stagnation period by granting attractive opportunities instead of partnering with banks. Banks, on the other hand, reflect the increase in costs as a result of the global mortgage crisis on the interest rates, and prefer to be cautious toward new loan applications.

Mia Park project, which was constructed on an area of 12,000 square meters in Istanbul's Kurtköy neighborhood, offers prices staring from YTL 134,000 ($100,000). Including a total of 139 apartments, the Mia Park project has allocated an area of 10,000 square meters to green spaces and social facilities.

Delmar Yapı is starting construction of a new residence project in Istanbul's Kurtköy district after the Elite Life Residence project in the same region.

One of the major discussions in last month's local papers of Marmaris was the high drop in the real estate market in the past three years. The dimensions and reasons of the drop were the main topics. The reports showed that there is pessimism toward the future and the real estate agents were desperate. However, some agents have opposed what the papers put in front of the readers and expressed their optimist views for the market.

Paradise Residences, construction of which is ongoing in Antalya's Konyaaltı district, are being offered at prices ranging from 108,000 euros ($170,000) to 148,000 euros ($233,000).Offering the luxury of a five-star hotel, the project includes 144 apartments in eight blocks set for completion in April.

The prices for summer houses in Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris and Gokova has decreased by up to 35% compared to last year. Many industry professionals see this as an excellent opportunity to buy properties. Nevzat Tilkici, the president of the Realtors Association in Fethiye has said “The demand from Europeans has decreased over the past year due to the mortgage crisis and this affected the prices in Turkey. Mistakes made by some developers and some realtors has resulted in potential buyers to turn their heads to Cyprus and Greece.”  With the rapid decrease in demand from foreigners, the number of property exchanges in these regions has come to a halt.