Should You Invest in Real Estate or Stocks in Turkey?

Reasons Why Real Estate Investment is Better than Stocks in Turkey

During the same time period and well into the 21st century, real estate investors have realized attractive returns due to the multiple income streams from real estate investments. Here is a look at some of the reasons why real estate can be beneficial for your investment portfolio:

1. Rental Returns of Property Investment

This is the percentage yield from direct rental income, it and can be calculated as either gross or net. Experienced investors prefer to calculate the net rental yield—calculation detailed here—which takes the expenses, taxes and other costs into account, and divides by the property value/cost. It could be a negative cash flow, as it doesn't take mortgage payments into account. For this reason, many investors prefer to look at cash-on-cash rental yields. The example at the link shows a 6.4 percent example return on investment (ROI). Though the investor can purchase and manage for a yield on this single component that exceeds average stock or bond dividend yields, it is only one of the ways in which real estate returns on investment.

2. Real Estate Inflation-proof Investment

Rents usually increase with inflation, while mortgage payments on the property remain stable. This increases cash flow, without the increased expense for holding the property. When inflation goes up, it can also mean more renters as mortgages become more expensive for average consumers. More renters increase demand, so rents can escalate.

3. Property Leverage 

Using leverage, while being careful to buy properties with good rental yields, provides greater returns. Using $100,000 in leveraged assets to purchase three properties with down payments, instead of one for $100,000 cash, can greatly increase returns. Of course, all leverage involves risk, so the successful investor must understand how leverage impacts their real estate investments.

4. Property Quality Improvement 

Many investors intentionally purchase properties at a value price, because they lack certain features or could use improvements. They have calculated that the value of the improvements will exceed the cost, resulting in an immediate increase in equity.

While stocks and bonds are inflation-sensitive—and they typically involve only value appreciation potential and low or non-existent dividend/interest returns— Turkey's real estate provides multi-faceted investment returns.