“The dream of owning a home in Israel can be accomplished in many different ways,” said Ilana Garber in a recent interview from Israel. “As I speak to families in the United States who are interested in owning property in Israel, I realize that there are many variations on this dream. My niche in Hold Real Estate is to help my clients locate apartments to invest in, buy for the purpose of renting out and/or utilizing periodically as a vacation or second home. That is why I come to the US approximately every eight weeks to meet with potential buyers face to face, to realistically assess their wants and needs.”
Hold Real Estate’s CEO, Ari Shapiro, is a native South African who has been living in Israel for quite a few years. His key focus in Hold Real Estate is to help South African clients invest in real estate in Israel early on so as to get the best return. He represents many coastal properties in Bat Yam, Or Akiva, Kfar Yona, and other areas that are commutable to big cities yet provide affordable housing and good schools. These properties are purchased three to five years before their completion as investments.
According to Garber, “The American market is different. Young American families are increasingly looking to purchases vacation homes in Israel as opposed to Florida. They are looking for properties that can accommodate their needs during winter breaks, Pesach and Sukkot holidays and summer vacations. They are looking for certain amenities to make their visits convenient and pleasurable. We try to assess these needs and match them up to our properties.”
Recently, central Yerushalayim has taken on a new look referred to as “trendy downtown.” Hold Real Estate owns 45 “gorgeous boutique apartments” they are calling “J19” in anticipation of their being completed in 2019. The apartments will offer luxurious amenities including a fitness center, tenants club, billiard room and library. The buildings are located on Rechov Shammai, perpendicular to Rechov Yoel Solomon. The surrounding area has taken on the look of European cities such as Paris or Rome with its umbrella overhangs over its restaurants and boutiques. They are centrally located so as to be walkable to Ben Yehuda, the shuk and even the German Colony and Emek Refaim. So far the pre-pre-sale apartments have almost been completely sold.
Garber’s focus in dealing with her American clients is to create a relationship whereby she facilitates their purchase of a property and continues to provide services to them through decoration, management, rentals and legal transactions. “We are a full-service agency which helps you navigate through the entire process of owning a home in Israel, as seamlessly as possible,” attests Garber. “We recently facilitated the sale of an old Arab home which then needed complete renovation. I was able to serve as the liaison between the project manager, architect, interior designer and other services required.”
The Garbers made Aliyah from Englewood, New Jersey, seven years ago in fulfillment of their dream. During their first years in Israel, David Garber began working for the high tech company Rewalk, which provides a device for paraplegics to assist them into a standing position. Ilana remained at home to help their four children, now ranging in age from 10 to 17, acclimate into their new community. Now Garber hopes to encourage others to look to Israel as their second home. She hopes that the personal service that she can provide through Hold Real Estate will encourage them to explore the many possibilities available in the Israeli real estate market.
To arrange for a meeting with Ilana Garber in your home during her upcoming trip to New York and New Jersey, please email her at [email protected].
By Pearl Markovitz
