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Attorney Karin Amsalem

Purchasing an Apartment from a Developer

Key questions to clarify, documents to prepare and the way we approach the matter before an irreversible decision is made.

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Purchasing an Apartment from a Developer
Before You BeginA Brief Introduction to Our Firm

A short introduction to our process: how the initial review begins, what we need to understand and what happens after your first inquiry.

Look at the deal.

In a contractor contract, what doesn't change in negotiations still needs to be reviewed

A decision on the property should connect the right, the situation on the ground, the agreement, the financing and the tax.

Start with facts and documents, define what needs to be achieved, and only then choose the legal move. This way you can identify early what might delay the move and what can be resolved in advance.

Buying an apartment from a contractor is one of the most significant transactions a person makes during their lifetime. This is a complex transaction that includes a detailed legal contract, payment boards, bank guarantees and sometimes a waiting period of several years until the apartment is delivered. Therefore, it is very important to make the purchase accompanied by a lawyer specializing in real estate law and representing the interests of the purchaser only.

In many cases, apartment buyers assume that the contract the contractor presents is a standard contract that cannot be changed. In practice, a contract for the purchase of an apartment from a contractor is usually written by the lawyers of the entrepreneurial company and is primarily intended to protect the interests of the contractor. Therefore, it is very important that a lawyer on behalf of the buyer examine the contract and ensure that the rights of the purchaser are protected.

Why You Need a Lawyer to Buy an Apartment from a Contractor

When purchasing a new apartment from a contractor the purchaser is required to sign a complex contract that includes dozens of legal clauses. Some of these clauses may significantly affect the purchaser's rights in case of late delivery of the apartment, building defects or change in the project plans.

  • Full legal review of the contractor contract
  • Checking the project's construction permit
  • Checking the contractor's rights on the ground
  • Checking guarantees Sale law for the protection of the purchaser's money
  • Checking the payment boards and adherence to the Construction Input Index

Before signing a contract to purchase an apartment from a contractor, several important legal checks must be performed. These checks allow to verify that the project is legal and that there are no registration issues or liens that may infringe on the purchaser's rights.

Among the important examinations are: checking the land registration at the Tabu or the Israel Land Authority (ILA), examining the project's building permit and examining the legal status of the contractor and the entrepreneurial company.

Protecting the Buyer's Money – The Sale Law

The Sale Law (apartments) is designed to protect home buyers from contractors. The law requires the contractor to provide adequate security for the funds paid by the purchaser, usually through a bank guarantee.

An experienced lawyer will ensure that any payment to the contractor is made only after receiving the appropriate collateral and that the purchaser's funds are protected in case the project is not completed.

Common mistakes of apartment buyers from a contractor

  • Signing a contract without consulting a lawyer
  • Payment advance before receipt of sale law guarantee
  • Failure to check the schedules for the apartment delivery
  • Ignoring adherence to the Construction Input Index

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying an Apartment from a Contractor

Do I need a lawyer to buy an apartment from a contractor?

The law does not require a lawyer on behalf of the buyer, but it is highly recommended to hire an independent lawyer to review the contract and protect the buyer's rights.

What is a Sale Law Guarantee?

The Sale Law guarantee is a bank guarantee that guarantees the purchaser's money in case the contractor does not complete the project.

Moments to Identify

Where buyers tend to discover the risk late

If any of these situations are familiar to you, it is best to check the image before continuing.

01

A gap in registration

The official document does not match the identity of the seller, the description of the property or the rights presented.

02

Unverified planning status

The planned use or change of the property has not yet been examined in front of the building portfolio and plans.

03

Payment before conditions are met

Money transfer is requested before a material document or confirmation of the transaction is received.

Towards the test

What to check before signing and paying

You don't have to come up with a perfect case, these are the starting points that help you understand what's missing and what's important.

  • RightsDrafting, approving rights, liens, and comments.
  • PlanningThe rest, sketch, use, and programs apply.
  • AgreementTerms, dates, taxes, delivery and registration.
Who is this service for??

Who is this service for?

advising on is suitable for buyers, sellers and property owners when the transaction or dispute involves actual risk, uncomplicated documents or a difficult decision to reverse.

This May Be Right for You If…
  • Buyers and sellers prior to a transaction with special terms or registration missing
  • Heirs, family members or partners who need to settle a common property
  • Investors and business owners who examine a commercial property or a sharing agreement
  • Anyone who has discovered a problem with the property documents, permit or existing liability
When is it important to stop for a wider examination?When there are several stakeholders, more than one authority, documents that do not match or a signature date and a close payment.
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Tell us briefly what is at stake. We will assess how we can help and what to prepare for a focused first conversation.

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Client Reviews on Google

5.0 / 5 • 27 reviews

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michael ashkar★★★★★

It is often said that lawyers are exploitative and unfair people. This office came to erase this stigma. The entire staff there is lovely, and they do their job faithfully. In my case, I dealt with Attorney Hussam Armali, and I must say that I have never met such an honest, decent, and goal-oriented person. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart 🙏

Dvir Cohen★★★★★

I contacted Karen just to figure out whether it was worth selling a piece of land we inherited or keeping it. She sat down with me and explained the whole picture – rights, taxation, what can be done in the future. She didn’t try to push in a certain direction, and that was the most important thing to me.

Verified Reviewer★★★★★

Karin Amsalem, a professional and thorough attorney of the highest level! Represented us in the process of selling a plot of land that we won in a tender. This is a complex process that includes registering lease rights in the Land Registry, payments to the Land Registry such as consent fees, refunding subsidies for housing and construction, as well as handling the appreciation tax, which includes many expenses. Karin managed the entire process with professionalism, accuracy and attention to detail, while fully protecting our interests as sellers. Throughout the entire process, we felt that we had someone to trust. Highly recommend her!

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