Israel Mortgage Information

Israel mortgage practices differ significantly from those in the USA and other countries. Successfully securing a mortgage in Israel can be aided by understanding the differences in terminology and lending practices.

First, get an assessment and mortgage approval. In Israel, mortgage lending amounts are often limited to a percentage of the appraised property value. Property prices in popular areas may exceed assessed values, so it is wise to get an assessment before signing the purchase agreement. It may also be helpful to find an assessor who has recent experience with property in the area you are considering. Property purchase contracts in Israel do not typically involve a funding contingency. To avoid a situation of being obligated to buy a property without having the funds, it is best to get the mortgage in place before singing a purchase contract.

Qualifying for a mortgage in Israel relies more heavily on income than assets. Credit ratings are relatively new in Israel, and it will probably be necessary to document income in Israel with pay stubs and income outside of Israel with tax report copies. Co-signers, either in Israel or abroad, may also be accepted by Israel mortgage lenders.

In Israel mortgage application situations, it is generally necessary for the borrower to handle more of the requirements than may be expected from experience. For example, the title search, lien registration, and property assessments are often left to the borrower. It may be useful to seek the assistance of a mortgage broker, but there is a great deal of variety among brokers in Israel. It is important to know exactly what services the broker includes, the fees involved, what lending institutions the broker handles, and how aggressively they negotiate to find borrowers an appropriate mortgage.

Israel mortgage rates are not as transparent as may be desired. Although there are disclosure laws meant to protect consumers, there are no actual rate caps in place. Even so-called fixed-rate loans may include periodic inflation adjustments. While it is important to very carefully examine the interest rates and terms, Israel mortgages also offer a great deal of flexibility not seen elsewhere. Israel mortgages may include several sets of rates and terms on different portions of the loan, making it possible to tailor the loan to the borrower’s needs and priorities. A mortgage with several sections may be more realistically compared to a loan portfolio, and different parts of the whole may even be paid off separately. It is also possible to get a mortgage in foreign currency, such as USD, if that meets your needs.

Foreign borrowers are usually offered up to 50% of the lower of the purchase price or assessed value, but it may be possible to negotiate up to the 70% typically allowed to Israel residents. Israel mortgages contracts can be as long as 30 years, but loans with fixed rates may be limited to 20 years. Lenders in Israel expect loans to be paid off by the time the borrower reaches age 75, but it may be possible to negotiate loans that exceed that age by 5 or even 10 years.

Securing a mortgage in Israel may pose challenges, but our professional associates are available to make things easier for you. We can clarify the options, explain things in English, and guide you safely through the process. Reach out to us at any time for help understanding and securing a mortgage in Israel.