I don't think it is possible to know from day one who your friends are, after all you have only just met them! I think you have to take a measured approach and always bear in mind that not everyone is either a nice or intelligent person and whilst someone may be okay to have a quick drink with you don't want them trying to run your life.

You need to move slowly, try and verify all information you receive at more than one source (preferably an official source being one of them), this is especially important in Turkey as land laws/planning laws/building regulations change rapidly as Turkey moves to bring its systems in line with Europe.

Treat professionals as they should be treated and expect professionalism in return and be prepared to be very firm when they fail to meet your standards - its very hard to take to task someone who has become your friend so a polite distance may be more useful than close friendship. After all, you are being charged 3% of the sale value from buying from this person - not exactly mates rates!

Be as firmly independent as humanly possible. This is your life, your adventure, your learning curve and you need to get on it and learn. You don't learn by hanging on to the coat tails of an emlak who may or may not have ulterior motives. Even if your wildly enthusiastic emlak is a genuinely nice person the healthiest way forward is independently.

I was very privaledged when I came to Turkey to have already been an ex-pat in Mexico and so I kind of knew the score although I had a whole new legal system to learn (I'm a geek I like that kind of thing). You have the same advantage coming from time spent in North Cyprus, you aren't exactly green as grass here and your instincts are probably well honed by now, trust them :-)

Karyn