Planning to buy a flat - expat tips appreciated (Istanbul)

Dear IN community

I am planning to buy a flat in Istanbul and I hope you can help me:

If you have any personal experiences in the home-buying as an expat I would appreciate any tips, good or bad, that you may have:
- What I should check out and/or register?
- Situations or set-up I should avoid (i.e. before or during transaction)?
- What official processes are required?
- What services/experts are smart to involve?
- Other suggestions?
I will do the purchase without use of Emlak/real estate agent, but will have help from a lawyer. I am still asking here to have a bit of opinion myself and not put everything in the hands of a third party.

In advance, thank you very much!

Best regards

Per