(I forgot to write a review for my stay and then it was too late to do so. I decided to book for another day, just so that I could write one now; Mücahit truly deserves this!).
I stayed at Mücahit's house for about three weeks. That's quite a long time to spend with someone on a holiday, and in some cases it can lead to boredom or even frustration. Not so with Mücahit! I truly felt a little at home at his place. His English is very limited, but with the help of a translation app we were able to communicate just fine. He made sure I felt comfortable at his place, and he regularly gave tips about what I could go see in Istanbul. He worked during the day, and he was always happy to talk in the evening, yet equally fine with just doing his own thing when I was busy doing something. Mücahit is a very funny man, and his love for Turkey and its culture is truly admirable. We went out together sometimes, joined by a friend of Mücahit who was also incredibly kind and a good conversation partner (her English was very good, which helped of course). My mother came over to stay one night and we cooked Dutch food for them in the evening, and they made a traditional Turkish breakfast in the morning. It was such a special time to have spent together with them, and I cherish those memories as among the best of my trip. Mücahit felt like a loving older brother; one couldn't wish for a better experience with an Airbnb host than that!
A few practical considerations are worth mentioning: Mücahit's house is located just outside the city centre, which is really nice (especially for the price)! The bus stop and metro station are really close, and the tram is not too far away either. The hilly landscape of the neighbourhood and the stairs to Mücahit's appartment might not be suitable for elderly people or people in wheelchairs. Other than that, perfect! I have no complaints about the tidiness of the appartment, it was fine. Lastly, I already mentioned Mücahit's ability to talk English. Conversation through the translation app worked okay, but I would recommend him to work towards a basic mastery of the English, which would make it easier for guests to ask questions. However, it should be mentioned that his English significantly improved during my stay! He is clearly willing to learn, so I have no doubts that it will continue to improve!
I sincerely thank Mücahit (and his friends) for the lovely stay I had there in Istanbul, and I recommend everyone to stay over at his place!