ROSALIND & ALAN WAUGH
Our Beautiful Yesilkent Home
Alan and I would like to tell you a story of how Yildiray Emre and Kate Ashley Norman of My Turkish Home helped us into realising our dream of owning a special place in the sun
Alan and I had for many years discussed the possibility of buying a holiday home, mainly looked towards Spain as the ideal base. However, a number of factors deterred us from actually taking the plunge and investing. The reasons being, we were not keen on the large complexes that seemed to abound on the Costas and as the years went on the prices were outside of our budget. We had spent a number of enjoyable holidays in Turkey, liking the people, the country and the culture. The food is very similar to what I (Rosalind) am used to coming from an Italian family and Alan has learnt to love after meeting me!
We had been researching the Turkish property market for some time but had not made any firm decisions on which would be suitable area for us to settle in. In 2004 friends of ours bought an apartment in Altinkum and they encouraged us to also consider buying in the Didim area. We did our research on locally based estate agents, making appointments to see a number of them during a week on holiday during July 2004.
This was when we first met a young couple in Altinkum, Kate Ashley Norman and Yildiray Emre, who were one of the many Emlak partnerships that had set up in the Didim area.
Kate, Yildiray and Rosalind in the Sevimli apartment July 2004
 Kate, Rosalid & Yildiray at the Sevimli apartment summer 2004 |
Kate and Yildiray were the only people who took the time to listen to us, in order to find a property to suit our needs. Their only wish was to make sure we were happy with whichever property we decided upon and most importantly they did not pressure or coerce us to buy. We bought our first apartment from them that week in July 2004, which seemed scary at the time as it all happened so quickly. But we always felt great trust in Kate and Yildiray and indeed have stayed with them buying a plot of land in Akbuk and a second apartment in Altinkum in June 2006.
We fell in love with Yesilkent one day in July 2006, when we were attempting to escape the busy and windy main Altinkum beach. We were advised by Mr White of the Ege Bar on Dolphin Square to take the dolmus to Yesilkent, where we would find a much quieter and beautiful beach.
Getting off at the last stop at Gaye 1, we looked down a quiet road of villas, covered with pink, white and purple bougainvilleas, to a curved beach and seawater of the most startling azure blue.
The scents were intoxicating as we walked to the beach and we looked in envy at the beautiful villas. “Perhaps one day” we said to each other.
We were never really settled after that, but it wasn’t until September 2008 that we suddenly thought that now perhaps was the right time to consider moving up the property ladder yet again. We mentioned to Yildiray that we were considering moving again and wanted to view some villas.
We looked at a few villas during 2008 and 2009, in various locations including Akbuk. However, we were continually drawn back to Yesilkent, the Green town. But it always seemed that we were trying to make each property we viewed fit the dream and none ever did.
In June 2009,Yildiray put a proposal to us. He would build us a house in Sahil Sitesi Yesilkent to our own design with the help of an architect. He outlined the detail and cost of building a 4 bed roomed villa with a swimming pool. We sat on the patio of Kate and Yildiray’s home and worked out the sums and decided that we could do it. It felt so exciting, but in some ways it also felt as scary as the time we had bought our first apartment. Here we were, both in our early 60’s and going to get our dream house in the sun at long last.
The experience has been fantastic. Both Yildiray and Kate have managed the development in the most professional and sympathetic way. Never for one moment have we felt any anxiety about their project management. Alan and I had specific ideas of the sort of house we wanted. Whilst many of the Turkish properties are heavily embellished we wanted clean, elegant lines and a sense of openness and light.
Kate and Yildiray emailed us two design options prior to our return to Altinkum at the end of September 2009. We settled on one option, but made a request for some changes. We met with the architect and Yildiray in the September and made the final decision on the villa design.
Work began in November 2009, with Kate regularly sending us progress photos of the build. You cannot believe our excitement on receiving those photos, even the initial ones that showed the footings!
November 2009 |
We were also sending Kate and Yildiray photos of types of bathroom fittings, kitchens and tiles that we liked, so that they had a good idea of what we would like in the villa. From what we understand of many builders in Altinkum, they do not always extend their clients a choice in fixtures and fittings. We have been very lucky in having such an empathetic builder in Yildiray.
Our first view of the villa was on 29th March 2010, when we arrived in Altinkum and rushed straight over to Yesilkent despite feeling extremely travel weary. Emotional is the only way to describe how we felt looking at the unfinished building. It looked so imposing, so much better than in the photos. We had an opportunity that week to choose the tiles for all the rooms and also the kitchen furniture and design.
March 2010 |
We returned in May 2010 and the progress was phenomenal. All the floors, the pool and bathrooms were tiled. Even in that unfinished stage, the house had such a wonderful feel about it.
Pool April 2010 |
We were to return to Altinkum on 19th June 2010 and were delighted to receive Kate’s email saying that Yildiray was going to await our return in order for us to choose our bathrooms. It has certainly contributed very much to the great feeling of ownership of the build.
The last two weeks have been hectic – not a holiday as such, but who cares. The pool was commissioned by the second day of our holiday and Yildiray pulled out all the stops so that we could get moved in, even though there was still some work to complete. On Friday evening 2nd July, we stood on the road outside of the villa, staring at this beautiful house that was our special new home. After spending our first night in the villa, we were awoke very early on the Saturday morning and were swimming in our own pool by 7am. How good does that sound!
Thank you Yildiray and Kate for all your hard work and love in building our dream home in the sun.
Alan and Rosalind Waugh
Residents of Sahil Sitesi, Yesilkent, Didim.
Villa Reale (pronounced –“Ray aah lay” – this is my mother’s family name)
- Villa Reale, Yesilkent
