When you find a promising real estate listing in Israel online, it’s exciting—but it’s also the beginning of your due diligence. Details in online ads can sometimes be outdated, incomplete, or even misleading. Before you invest your time in a viewing, it’s crucial to verify the details of a real estate listing in Israel to ensure it matches your expectations.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to confirming the critical information.
1. Directly Contact the Agent or Owner
The first and most obvious step is to call the number on the listing. Don’t just ask if it’s available; use this call to confirm the key details from the ad.
- Availability: Ask, “Is the property still on the market?” The Israeli market moves fast, and listings can stay online long after a deal is made.
- Floor Number: This is a notoriously confusing detail in Israel. An ad might say “2nd floor,” but that could mean the second floor above the ground floor (which is the 3rd floor by American standards) or it could be inaccurate. Ask specifically: “Is the ground floor ‘karkat’ or ‘mispar 1’ (number 1)? How many flights of stairs are there to the apartment?” If there’s an elevator, confirm it stops on the exact floor.
- Size (Metrage): Ask if the listed square meterage is bruto (gross, including shares of common areas) or neto (net, the actual interior space). The neto size is what truly matters.
- Key Features: Re-confirm everything important to you. “Does it have a machsan (storage unit) and chanaya (parking)? Is the balcony a sukkah balcony?”
2. Use Online Government and Municipal Resources
For serious buyers, you can dig deeper using official online tools.
- The Tabu (Land Registry Office): To verify ownership, liens, and the official registered size of the property, you can order a Nesach Tabu (Land Registry Extract) online for a small fee. You will need the property’s Gush and Chelka (block and parcel) numbers, which the seller’s agent should provide.
- Municipal Websites: The website for the local municipality (iriya) often has information on building permits and plans. This can help you verify if a renovated part of the apartment was done with a legal permit. You can also check the Arnona (municipal tax) records for the property, which will state the official size of the apartment according to the city.
3. Leverage Google Maps and Street View
Don’t underestimate the power of a virtual walkthrough. Use Google Maps to verify the property’s location and surroundings.
- Check the Neighborhood: Does it look like the pictures? Is it on a quiet side street or a loud main road?
- Examine the Building’s Exterior: Street View can give you a good sense of the building’s condition (beit meshutaf). Is it well-maintained or in disrepair?
- Verify Proximity: Check the actual walking distance to nearby parks, synagogues, schools, and bus stops.
4. Ask for Documentation
Before signing any contract, your lawyer will handle the official verification. However, you can ask for certain documents upfront. Ask the seller to provide a recent Arnona bill. This is a simple way to cross-reference the owner’s name and the apartment’s size as registered with the city.
By taking these steps, you can effectively verify the details of a real estate listing in Israel and avoid wasting time on properties that aren’t what they seem, allowing you to focus your search on legitimate and suitable options.
