As I use Airbnb more, I am coming more of a purist. I don't want anything that feels like a hotel room, even a nice one. I already know where I can find nice hotel rooms. I want a place that has a lived in feel to it, a gracious host, and an interesting locale to explore nearby. Mehmet's place has these, and though it lacks a little polish and you may have to wash a dish or two before using them, it is a good place to rent. Mehmet is a fantastic host and Balat is a great neighborhood, especially if you are into urban photography. The buses that run right in front of the place are easy to use -- 99 to go to Eminonu from which you can go anywhere and the 55T to go to Taksim. Two pieces of advice: 1.) If you are tall 6ft/1.8m you will bump your head on the kitchen/bathroom ceiling; they are low. 2.) If you have vertigo, locking the apartment door is "interesting" being that there is not much of a landing at the top of steep stairs. Enjoy your stay in Istanbul! :)