Covering exactly 783,356 square kilometers, Turkey is a huge country with 81 provinces. Every year, millions of people are making cross-country moves, looking for new homes on the busy real estate market. However, finding the perfect home is no easy task considering Turkey's population of almost 80 million. House hunters in Turkey -- especially in large cities like Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir and Konya -- have their work cut out for them in terms of the challenge. Whether you are looking for a house to rent or to own, there are a few things for you to keep in mind.House hunting homeworkThe first thing to do before going house hunting in Turkey is to pick the right location. In big cities, location is everything. For instance, if you are considering a move to Istanbul, it is crucial to find a home near your workplace or close to public transportation. It is the key to ensuring that your move is a smooth transition. Still, for those who are making the move from another country, the struggle is real. Keep in mind that every big city has a district suitable to meet to your needs. Unless you are a retiree who is looking for a place to rest your head, it is best to choose a home as close to the center of the city as possible. On the other hand, buying a house is a much bigger responsibility considering that you are investing a lot of money in a single piece of property. Hence, it is important to choose a location that is worth investing in. Newly emerging complexes in densely populated cities are a good place to start. For a family with children, a home in proximity to good, quality schools is of crucial importance. Look for a home that is close to the school of your choice, paying attention to the neighborhood and surrounding areas, which should be suitable for children to play with their peers. For city dwellers, housing complexes with private security and sports facilities are good options that should be kept in mind.On the other hand, if you are looking for a place by the sea where you can spend your summer or the entire year in mild weather, you should consider your options carefully. The cities of Bodrum, Didim and Antalya are very popular among expats as well as people who are sick of the chaos of crowded cities. On the other hand, the Black Sea region, which has incredible nature and the cleanest air in Turkey, is another popular area for those seeking serenity. Popular among Arabs as well, the provinces in the Black Sea region offer residents peace of mind without sacrificing the conveniences of urban life.There are a couple of ways to go house hunting in Turkey. The most common and traditional way is hitting the streets. After deciding on the location, go out and look around for any apartments with a rental or for sale sign. While conducting a street-by-street search for your dream home is a relatively efficient way to approach your endeavor, it is nearly impossible for people to do so on the weekdays when they are working. Therefore, to make house hunting more easy, utilize online resources such as real estate websites to search for the house of your dreams. Doing your online research allows you to get a detailed description of houses as well as the surrounding neighborhood and its vicinity to public transformation, allowing users to scroll through photos of various houses on the market and pinpoint the location of the property as well.In Turkey, landlords usually make a one-year contract with their tenants. If both parties are happy with the contract, the rental contract can be extended automatically for another year. At the end of every year, landlords usually increase rent by up to 10 percent. However, it is also possible to rent seasonal houses, especially in touristic regions. If you are interested spending your summer in Bodrum, for instance, you can rent furnished housesfor two, three or four months.When first renting a home, tenants are expected to give one month's rent in advance. Also, the landlords ask for one month's rent money to ensure that the tenant won't cause any damage to the property. Usually, this money is repaid when the tenant moves out. If you rent or buy a house using a real estate agent, you are also expected to pay the agent a month's rent as well for their services. In short, if you are renting a house in Turkey, get ready to pay three months' rent when you move. If you are lucky, you find a house to rent or buy directly from the owner. In this case, the tenant is not asked to pay a fee to the real estate agent and you can keep some money in your pocket. However, here is a piece of advice from an insider: Do not hesitate to bargain with the landlord for a discount on rent.