Your new home in Eretz Yisroel

Yes. Many families from the US buy a new apartment years before they move, whether ahead of aliyah, for children studying or settling in Israel, or as a long-term investment. You'll sign with the developer directly, with your own Israeli lawyer acting for you.

Typically you pay part of the price when you sign and the rest in stages until the apartment is handed over. Part of the balance is often linked to Israel's construction cost index. Israeli law requires developers to secure buyers' payments, usually with a bank guarantee. We'll send you the exact payment schedule for each project.

Yes, though Israeli banks generally lend non-residents up to about half of the purchase price, so most foreign buyers plan for a larger cash portion. A mortgage advisor can tell you what you'd qualify for.

It depends on where the apartment is. In Jerusalem, foreign residents pay purchase tax (mas rechisha) from the first shekel, unlike Israelis buying their only home, while new olim may qualify for a significant reduction for a limited time after making aliyah. For Techelet in Givat Ze'ev, the developer advertises that US residents pay no Israeli purchase tax. Your lawyer will confirm the figure for your situation before you sign.

Israeli listings count the living room as a room. A 5-room apartment usually has 4 bedrooms plus a living room, and a 4-room has 3 bedrooms.