The first surprise for a buyer arriving from France concerns the place of the notary. In France a property sale must pass through a notary, a public officer who receives the deed for both parties. In Israel this is not so: the sale is concluded by a contract drafted and negotiated by lawyers, each side having its own. The Israeli notary does intervene, but for specific acts — a power of attorney, an authentication of signature — not to carry the sale itself.
How a purchase unfolds
Before any signature, one checks what is actually being sold: the rights registered over the property and their nature, mortgages, easements and charges, and the planning position. This verification is the core of the buyer’s lawyer’s work; it is also why a contract is not signed on the day you view the flat.
Then comes the negotiation of the contract itself: price, payment schedule, handover date, guarantees, consequences of delay. The payment timetable is aligned with the progress of registrations and the release of existing charges — that is what protects the buyer, and it is discussed line by line.
After signature come the reporting and tax obligations, then the steps to register the right in the buyer’s name. The file does not end at signature; it ends at registration.
A buyer living abroad need not necessarily be present at every stage. A notarised power of attorney, drawn up in proper form, often allows the transaction to be carried out remotely — provided it is drafted for the precise use intended.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it creates no lawyer-client relationship. Every purchase turns on its own facts: contact us to discuss yours.