The realistic side of Real Estate in Israel
Eretz Yisrael is the focal point of our world, the land of milk and honey from where all blessings pour forth. It is the place we carry in our hearts and minds, always. For Yidden the world over who yearn to be connected to Eretz Yisrael in a tangible way, the desire to purchase a property there is a dream, understandably so, and it is our vision at the Getter group to bring that dream to fruition.
For most people, it is not viable to uproot a family from its financial and general stability and community. Often, it is simply unattainable.
Yet, as soon as the Jew with the right ideals is financially and practically able, one of the first things he is motivated to do is visit Eretz Yisrael. And as soon as they can afford it, many families look into buying apartments in Eretz Yisrael.
For many of those who were yet unable to make the move, the yearning for their true home doesn’t peter out. We at the Getter Group are in contact with many such Jews who express their feeling of connection by buying or building an apartment here. Some rent it out as an investment for the time being, while others prefer to keep it available for their own visits, perhaps renting it out short-term between trips. We are impressed time and again by these people’s ideals and priorities, and their persistence in making their lifelong wish a reality.
Especially when doing so in a foreign country, purchasing real estate can be a very daunting task. Prospective buyers are faced with many dilemmas, which often require much time, knowledge, and careful planning in order to ensure that they reap the utmost from their investment.
“סוף מעשה במחשבה תחילה”
When beginning the process of buying an apartment in Israel, it is important to be clear on your budget. If you plan your budget correctly from the very beginning, it is likely that you will end up with what you are looking for at a price you can afford.
To create a realistic budget, in addition to the actual cost of the apartment, buyers must make sure to include all the potentially hidden costs, such as the cost of the builder’s lawyer and the increase in price because it is linked to the madad (building index). Other expenses include the cost of your own lawyer, agents’ fees, renovations for a pre-owned apartment, as well as the cost of furnishing the finished apartment. The ‘hidden’ costs can equal about 15% of the total cost of the apartment and must be taken into account when planning your budget.
For the buyer who has a clear budget, and cannot go over their bottom line, it is less likely that a real estate agent could convince the buyer to go for a nicer or bigger apartment that they cannot afford. There is also more chance that a seller will come down to match a price when it is clear that the buyer cannot go higher than a certain amount.
For those buyers that are paying off a mortgage, it is important to make sure that they are able to cover the monthly payments. For those who are buying on plan, and need to make payments at specific intervals, it should be stressed that the payment timeline needs to be structured according to the buyer’s needs so that there will not be interest charged for late payments.
Those who buy apartments in Israel can choose to negotiate a mortgage directly with a bank or can go through a mortgage broker. The best way to take out a mortgage in Israel is to use a mortgage broker even when the buyer already has a good connection with a bank.
Having a good connection with a bank does not ensure the best mortgage rate. Bank clerks get better bonuses when finalizing a more expensive mortgage and the client will find that they have less bargaining power. When a mortgage broker is dealing with a bank, the bank knows that the broker will simply take the client to a different bank if they do not get a good enough rate. This gives the mortgage broker more leverage to negotiate a better mortgage for their clients.
The mortgage broker is on the client’s side and will shop around for different types of mortgages at the best rates. While some may think that short-term mortgages are the answer, long-term mortgages are often more value for money because inflation causes currency to lose value while apartment values increase
We are all looking for good investment opportunities, and of course, protected investments. Real estate in Israel, the desire of every yid around the world.
However, not every apartment is a good investment. Some have hidden Land Registry issues that will pop up to haunt you later. Some buildings have construction rights arrangements that will devalue the apartment you are looking at, or future plans that will obstruct your beautiful view. Some have mortgage debt from the previous owner that there is no way you could know about.
It’s not just the language barrier. Purchasing a home in a foreign culture, even if we are talking about our beloved Eretz Yisrael, can end up disastrous, or at least a big headache, for unfortunate buyers who innocently get taken advantage of.
At the Getter Group, we’ve seen a lot of real estate transactions. We know what can happen and we know what to look for. Just our routine inspection will save you from countless common buyer mistakes. We check the building standard so that you don’t buy something constructed with sub-quality materials; we uncover any hidden costs that might be lurking about, so they won’t show their face for the first time after you’ve already signed; we find out exactly what is included in the spec so you don’t think you’re buying something you’re not; and we look at all the registration and legal papers to make sure there is no old debt on the apartment and that your renovation plans are legally feasible.
Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Salfer, a buyer from Miami, in his testimonial for The Getter Group, makes this point for us: “Well-meaning, naive people who dream of owning a piece of Jerusalem are unprepared for the wolves in sheep’s clothing who easily manipulate them into one-sided ‘deals’ or situations, without the careful, experienced, and wise guidance of Reb Shia, who has just about seen it all…”
Did you know there are at least nine distinct professionals involved in any purchase? There are hundreds of details—all important— that can fall through the cracks.
Buyer’s brokerage is your advantage in this daunting situation, and – ask our clients – it is empowering. Our brokerage service helps you find your perfect home, and we strive to make this process smooth and easy for you by managing the details and protecting you from anyone trying to “pull shtick” on an unsuspecting foreigner.
Our clients get to take advantage of the broad perspective gleaned from our experience, our top-notch professional connections, and our market research, which we use to handpick the right property for you, your needs, and your lifestyle. We know which lawyers have the highest success rate at negotiating the best deal for their clients. And when it comes time for a mortgage, you benefit from our exclusive contacts with the banks and our mortgage experts who will structure the best plan for you and negotiate the best deal.
Using the most experienced buyer’s brokerage is not only a luxury. It is the best investment you will make, as it is the insurance for your investment. Don’t lose hard-earned money when investing in Eretz Yisrael. There is no need to put yourself at that kind of risk.
At the Getter Group, we help buyers navigate the Israeli real estate system and protect you from pitfalls. We advocate for your interests, saving you time, money, and headaches. If you’re thinking about buying in Israel, discover valuable resources to make that process smoother.
Contact us: mail@thegettergroup.com USA: 718-473-3950 IL: 077-234-6011
This article is intended to provide general information about the subject matter covered. It is not meant to provide legal opinions, offer advice, or serve as a substitute for advice by licensed, legal professionals.
The author does not guarantee that the information contained herein is complete or accurate and does not assume any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors, inaccuracies or omissions contained in this article.