After the glumness of a few days ago, we encountered a new prospect. It is a complete tip: a small flat in an old building which has clearly never been updated or cared for particularly, other than layers of paint slapped over each other and the occasional odd flourish, like a hole in the wall for a duct with a tree root jammed through it. There is no balcony, but pleasant views from the windows (including of the Galata Tower). There is no gas connection, the electricity is frankly terrifying, and the smell suggests a dead rat in the plumbing. Everything will have to be ripped out and put back in again, walls will be demolished or moved. But it is an old and beautiful building, well over a century old, and I have rarely seen a place with quite that amount of potential. We’ve seen it twice now, once with someone who will help us oversee the renovation, and have talked to others who are aware of its legal position and say it is entirely unencumbered, a very good prospect indeed.
We are considering it very seriously. I am a bit concerned about plunging into a massive renovation without much hesitation. Assuming all goes well, it would certainly not be a home for the long term so we would also be relying on a measure of stability so that we would be able to sell it on in 5-10 years.