Find a professional
Mortgage broker, real estate lawyer, developer, agency: vetted English-speaking partners, by city.
Four professions, one order
A purchase in Israel involves up to four professionals, in this order: the mortgage broker first, to know what you can finance; the real estate lawyer next, before any offer, because there is no title company, closing attorney or conveyancing solicitor here; then the agency or the developer depending on whether you buy resale or new. We select them on three criteria: real estate specialisation, independence from sellers, experience with remote files. The referral is free; the professional calls you back within 48 hours.
Who does what, and when to call them
| Professional | What they do | When | What they cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage broker (yoets mashkanta) | Builds the file, approaches several banks, negotiates the margins, gets the pre-approval | Before you look for a property, as soon as you consider a loan | ₪6,000–15,000 or 0.5–1% of the loan |
| Real estate lawyer | Checks the property (Tabu, permits, debts), drafts and negotiates the contract, handles the power of attorney, files the tax, registers the property in your name | Before any offer or zikaron dvarim | 0.5–1% + VAT (≈ ₪5,500 + VAT on the developer’s side) |
| Real estate agency | Finds and shortlists resale properties, organises viewings (including by video), negotiates with the seller | Once the budget and the city are set | 2% + VAT, sometimes 1–1.5% negotiable |
| Developer (kablan) | Sells off-plan: project, floor plans, specifications, payment schedule, Sale Law guarantees | If you want a new build; no agency fee when buying direct | Included in the price; developer’s legal fees capped |
Three other professions come in depending on the case: the currency broker to convert the down payment (0.5 to 1% saved versus a bank), the property manager if you rent out from abroad, and the tax advisor for rental income, capital gains and reporting in your country of residence (FBAR, FATCA, self-assessment).
Mortgage broker
call first- Non-residents: 50% of the price, 70-75% if a citizen or aliyah within 2 years.
- Pre-approval in 48 to 72 hours.
- They know which bank lends on foreign income this month.
Real estate lawyer
before any offer- Independent of the seller and the developer, always.
- Power of attorney to buy without flying in.
- Developer contract reviewed clause by clause.
Real estate agency
for resale- Shortlist by budget, neighbourhood and status.
- Video viewings, technical inspection arranged.
- English-speaking agencies by city.
Developer
for new builds- Current projects by city, prices and deliveries.
- 20/80 schedules, end-of-project discounts.
- Sale Law guarantees on every instalment.
By city
Each city page describes prices by neighbourhood, current new builds and the professionals on the ground. Cities without a published page yet get the same referrals: name the city in the form.
Jerusalem and surroundings
Sharon
Centre and Gush Dan
South and southern coast
North
How we select
- Real estate specialisation. A lawyer who also does divorce and criminal work is not on the list; neither is a broker who does consumer credit.
- Independence. The recommended lawyer does not work for the seller or the developer of the property you are buying. The agency does not sell its own stock under another name.
- Experience with remote files. Powers of attorney, consulate signings, video viewings, foreign income: the partner handles them every month.
- Language. Fluent English, and Hebrew to negotiate with the other side.
- Reply within 48 hours. A partner who does not call back loses the next requests.
The partner professional pays us for the referral; you pay only their usual fees, and you remain free not to follow up. The details are on the about page. To understand what each one does before contacting them: the mortgage broker, the real estate lawyer, how to choose your lawyer, buying from a developer.
Talk to a professional who knows your case
Describe your project in two lines. We pass it on to a vetted English-speaking mortgage broker, real estate lawyer or developer who gets back to you within 48 hours. Free, no obligation.