Following their successful Selichot evening at Midtown Jerusalem, on the roof of the iconic original listed Shaarei Zedek building- IsraelProperty.com founders Maxim Cohen and Yonatan Hamburger discuss working closely with Israel Canada, why they established the business and how their unique platform is bringing buyers and investors, properties and professionals together.
What was behind your decision to host the Selichot event at the Midtown Jerusalem project. Why was it such a fitting place to bring people together?
Jerusalem is at the heart of so many people’s connection to Israel. Holding a Selichot concert on the roof of the historic former Shaare Zedek Hospital site, where Midtown Jerusalem is taking shape, brought together the city’s history, its spiritual significance and its future as is constantly quoted Leshana Haba’a BiYrushalayim Habnuya = Next Year in a Rebuilt Jerusalem.
The evening was with our successful partnership with Israel Canada, including a program featuring the Solomon Brothers and a riveting interview with an American/Israeli IDF soldier severely injured in Gaza, Yoni Friedman. The evening created an opportunity for people to connect with many of Jerusalem’s qualities and learn what having a home here could mean for them and their families.
That is where we believe a property journey begins: With a personal and sometimes emotional connection, a feeling that this is right, followed by questions about how to proceed with the journey.
. (credit: Israel Property team)
You are working closely with Israel Canada. What does that relationship involve?
We are working closely with Einav Gefen, international sales director at Israel Canada, to help potential buyers and investors from abroad understand the benefits of moving to or investing in Midtown Jerusalem. Gefen and our team in IsraelProperty.com work together in harmony to help clients explore opportunities and find the best match.
Midtown’s planned combination of residences, commercial space, hospitality and public areas gives buyers plenty to consider. Our role is to understand the buyers requirements and help them assess the opportunity properly, from the individual apartment to the surrounding neighborhood. Think of us as shadchanim – finding the best match!
Why did you two start IsraelProperty.com?
“We saw how easily enthusiasm about buying in Israel changes to frustration with the process and the sales talk that often does not project the truth” said Hamburger.
People might know the area they like or have seen an apartment online, but they are missing the importance of the JOURNEY in buying a property in Israel. financing, lawyer, organize documents and coordinate several professionals in addition to understanding extra costs involved, the timelines and even furnishing or buying white goods. Doing that from overseas, usually in an unfamiliar language, can feel overwhelming.
We founded IsraelProperty.com to make that experience manageable and hassle free. We wanted clients to have a clear starting point, access and ,management of suitable professionals and support throughout the journey.
The idea was to bring the different stages together, with someone keeping sight of the client’s overall needs. Finding a property is one part of helping someone establish a home or investment in Israel.
What experience do you each bring to the business?
Maxim is a property finance professional, who’s business group has facilitated over £500 million in property transactions. He brings extensive experience of the property business, lending and helping clients make significant financial decisions.
Having made aliyah from Britain in December 2023, he also understands first-hand the personal considerations involved in building a life in Israel. His personal experience has helped him understand the needs of buyers and investors.
Yonatan brings Israeli market knowledge, fluency in both Hebrew and English, local business relationships forged over fifteen years and a practical understanding of getting things done on the ground. His focus includes coordinating the people and processes involved in each client’s journey. He is a people person and a great advocate to lead the team.
Together, they combine an understanding of international buyers’ expectations with local knowledge and delivery.
. (credit: Israel Property team)
What do you offer clients?
We help people looking to buy, rent or invest in Israeli property, including overseas buyers, new Olim and families already living here.
We start by understanding their budget, timescale and priorities. Are they moving permanently, buying somewhere for family visits or considering an investment? Do they need to be close to relatives, schools, transport or a particular community?
From there, we can help with the property search, arrange viewings and “one stop shop” for their mortgage, legal and other professionals. We coordinate the next steps as a transaction progresses.
Clients need clear communication throughout. They should understand what is happening, who is responsible and what they need to do next.
How does the IsraelProperty.com platform support that service?
The platform is designed to bring the property journey into one place, connecting clients with properties, professionals and the information relevant to their purchase.
A potential transaction can generate a considerable amount of correspondence. Our job is to keep track and keep everyone in the loop.
Our approach brings greater structure to that process through document organization, tasks, progress tracking, follow up and communication.
For an overseas buyer, being able to follow developments between visits is particularly valuable. The technology marries with the personal service, giving the client a clearer view of what needs attention at every stage and helping maintain momentum. Nothing is missed or overlooked.
Where does legal support fit into the journey?
Legal support needs to be considered early. Buyers should understand the property they are purchasing, the contractual commitments involved and the questions requiring professional advice before they commit, in addition to time scales and any potential costs that may arise or even penalties.
Akiva Fink, VP client experience, says: “Our aim is to help clients approach their purchase with clarity. Every property and every buyer’s circumstances are different, so the advice must address the specific personal transaction. Bringing advice into the process early allows questions to be identified and considered alongside the buyer’s wider plans.”
Coordination helps ensure that legal and finance conversations take place at the appropriate stage, with each professional responsible for their own specialist advice.
How do you approach buyers who are interested but not ready to proceed?
We recognize that these decisions take time. Someone may be thinking about aliyah several years ahead, waiting for a family discussion or planning to explore areas during their next visit.
Our role is to stay in touch, answer questions and provide useful information as their plans develop. A conversation today might lead to a viewing in a few months.
Trust grows through consistency. We want clients to feel comfortable asking questions and making decisions at a pace that suits their circumstances.
What other projects are you working on over the coming weeks?
Alongside our work with Israel Canada on Midtown Jerusalem, we are preparing to market exciting state of the art projects in Lod and Ashdod.
These will allow us to offer a broader range of locations and possibilities with clients. Different buyers have different budgets, family connections and expectations of everyday life in Israel.
As those projects develop, we will share further details and help interested clients explore suitability. Our focus remains on understanding the buyer first, then identifying the opportunities that deserve closer consideration.
How can readers get in touch?
Whether you have a particular development in mind or are simply beginning to explore the idea of a home in Israel, IsraelProperty.com is at your service.
Visit IsraelProperty.com, email team@israelproperty.com or WhatsApp +972 55-271-9964 to arrange an initial conversation.
This article was written in cooperation with Israel Property