Simplifying the purchase of real estate in Israel with The Getter Group

Since moving to Israel from London in 2002, Shia Getter has dedicated his professional life to smoothing the way for those purchasing property in Israel. Helping others buy homes and land in Israel is more than a job for Getter. It is his passion and his mission.

As the founder and head of the eponymously named Getter Group, he utilizes his knowledge and expertise to help people navigate the complex process of buying property in Israel today.

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Some potential buyers, he explains, are interested in buying a home in Israel before making aliyah, while others are seeking a vacation home or are considering purchasing real estate as an investment. Still others live in Israel and are looking for a larger home.

Regardless of the circumstances, Getter and his team are experts at locating the ideal property in Israel to match the specific needs of the purchaser and doing all they can to ensure a positive experience for the buyer. Acquiring property in another country, language, and culture can be overwhelming.

Real estate laws and bureaucracy can be confusing. The Getter Group helps buyers navigate the process. “We offer a full-coverage, tailored experience so that the buyer will be carried throughout the whole process,” explains Getter.

“Buyers do not need to research or vet their own professionals, as we help them filter the options. They will not have to wait to open a bank account or read through piles of bureaucracy. We handle every step and give very specific guidance and instructions for things they need to sign or fill out themselves. We give them every single piece. There’s no do-it-yourself aspect here, no ‘figuring it out,’ and no learning curve.”

While The Getter Group can assist anyone looking to purchase property in Israel, the bulk of the company’s clientele is comprised of English speakers from the United States and the United Kingdom. “We advocate on behalf of the client,” says Getter, “to make sure that they’re exercising all of their rights, maximizing their money, and protecting their interests.”

According to Getter, one of the first steps for prospective buyers is identifying their needs and having a clear picture of what they are looking for. Once they have done this, they can purchase a property in Israel that is ideally suited to them.

He explains that The Getter Group represents the buyer and does not hold any specific properties or developments or work exclusively with particular developers. “For us, it doesn’t make a difference if the person buys in Beersheba, Tel Aviv, or Jerusalem,” he notes. “What makes a difference is what’s the right thing for the client, and based on that, we’ll find the person the right place to buy.”

In its 20 years of operation, The Getter Group has represented hundreds of buyers purchasing properties in Israel from across the spectrum of Jewish observance and belief, assisting them in finding homes across the length and breadth of the land.

Getter’s purchasing advice about locations is based on the buyer’s needs. “If a person buys because he wants to move to Israel in the near future, then it is about finding what’s suitable for him, for his type, what type of neighbors he wants, what kinds of synagogues and schools he wants.

“If someone wants just an investment, he may not care if he will be able to live there. For example, we might recommend the new International Quarter in Lod, near Tel Aviv. It’s a complete investment. It is not certain if there will be any English-speaking people there or if it will be secular or religious.

“Then there are those people who want to combine things. They want to make an investment, but they also want to know they can eventually live there. So, in that case, we might try to do something in between. For example, we might recommend a new project in Ramat Beit Shemesh to a haredi person, which would combine an investment with a place to live in the future.”

Getter’s tips for buyers

With the vast number of real estate projects being built in Israel, prospective buyers can easily be confused about what to look for when considering purchasing in Israel. Getter has three tips for potential buyers:

• Have a clear picture of the primary goal of the property. Know whether the property you buy will be the home you plan to move to as part of your aliyah, whether it will be an investment, or whether it will be a combination of the two.

• Negotiate creatively, and remember that negotiation isn’t always about the price. Successful negotiations occur when both parties come out feeling good.

• Don’t be affected by pressure from the seller. Don’t let others push you into a hasty purchasing decision.Getter adds a caveat to his last tip: “On the one hand, you don’t want to be pressured into purchasing; but on the other hand, don’t wait too long. We were recently looking at figures showing how much prices have risen following Israel’s wars and after COVID, and prices jumped dramatically, as much as 20% in some areas. Don’t wait until after the war is over. If you wait, you will pay much more for the same property.”

Chuckling, he points out that even if people who still can’t afford it want to ultimately “own a penthouse in the Old City overlooking the Kotel,” it is important to establish a foothold and buy something, rather than holding out for that Old City dream, so at least they’re ‘in the game.’ “Someday,” he notes.

“You may have more money, and you will be able to sell that property and buy something else.” Getter and his team are renowned for their out-of-the-box thinking and ability to maximize value for their clients, frequently negotiating better specifications in the apartment being purchased.

He says that the added features and upgrades that they negotiate for their clients often more than cover the cost of their fee – sometimes even several times over. Clients have saved tens of thousands of dollars on a single property purchase and avoided untold stress by utilizing the services of The Getter Group, he says.

One story epitomizing this approach was of a woman who had signed an official registration form to purchase an apartment on paper, which obligated her to pay a certain price. The woman had not shown the form to Getter. After she signed the agreement, she had some doubts about whether she had paid a fair price or been overcharged.

She showed the contract to Getter, who informed her that she had significantly overpaid for the property.“She had been taken advantage of, and they had pressured her into signing,” he says. At that point, nothing could be done about the price, since she had signed the contract. However, Getter had the property professionally assessed and approached the sellers.

He told them they had significantly overcharged the buyer for the property and asked whether they would be willing to make up the difference by providing her with high-end fixtures and finishings to offset the discrepancy. The sellers agreed. “We offer added value on behalf of our clients,” he says, “and make sure that they get the best value for their money.”

While The Getter Group is headquartered in the Romema neighborhood in Jerusalem, interested parties can reach representatives by phone, email, and WhatsApp. In addition, the company has a full-time representative on the East Coast of the United States.

Many clients purchase apartments virtually, after viewing them via video call.“No buyer has ever returned to us and said that they regretted a purchase they made through us,” says Getter. “That’s a very strong statement about the company. If there’s something to know about Israeli real estate or property value, we’re there.

We understand the mindsets of Anglos, speak their language, and cherish ongoing relationships with our clients. “We’re able to help in the way they need, and we do it all the way – from searching for locations to receiving the keys... and beyond if necessary.”

For more information: The Getter Group

This article was written in cooperation with The Getter Group.

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