I always hear about the Tehilla pilot trips and knew people who went on them before. I just found out that Ronda Israel and Ilene were the main organizers of the tehilla pilot trip and that they now do their pilot trips through AACI.

I need to confirm my pilot trip through Tehilla today. Before I do that, however, I would appreciate if you could tell me about AACI pilot trip’s in case AACI might be better for us. We are religious (torani) and are going to choose a community (Kochav Yaakov is the top of our list at the moment) and for me to start networking professionally. Can you please tell me how AACI is different than Tehilla, how much the pilot trips cost are per person, and whether you would recommend AACI over Tehilla for any specific reasons.

Thank you so much. If possible, please reply to me at your earliest convenience because I need to make a decision about this. Thanks so, so much.

Love & Light,
Elisheva Levy

The housing shortage in Israel is alive and well. With the American ‘credit crisis’ making waves around the world, Israeli banks are limiting their risks and raising the bottom limit of mortgages. Mortages interest rates were also raised this week in general.

I don’t understand why you think mortgages here are new. I know many people that took out loans in the 90s and some others have finished paying off the mortage taken in the 80s. If anything, the Haredi are more and more relagated to mortage for the reason that families are much larger these days and the parents cannot afford to put down a sizable chunk of cash as in the past.

BTW, it’s possible to get 100% mortgage but it’s called fraud and very illegal.

My personal inclination is to avoid responding to comments – particularly when they make little to no sense. However, in this particular situation I’m going to make an exception, if only for the simple reason that internet talkbacks are remembered not for their content but for their attitude or “approach” (something that you’ve tried to take advantage of).

After that quick intro I’ll try not to waste any more time. In short – you’re right – always lookon the bright dside of life. BUT – this is an ALIYAH BLOG. We want people to – that’s right – make ALIYAH. We also want people to SUCCEED in ALIYAH (see blog title and subtitle). Therefore, we are not into misleading people about the reality of housing and employment in Israel. We want people to know what’s going on so that they can plan their aliyah effectivly.

When I speak with olim and potential olim I stress my simple motto – Realistic Expectations. At times it may be a bit of a turn-off. After all, people love to lulled into dreamland. BUT – so far I’ve found that Realistic Expectations is the only thing that works.

If you have any other useful pieces of advice please share them.

Thanks!
Avi

1) The Israeli banking system has finally discovered “mortgages”. This is not a joke. If you look at the orthodox sector until about 10 years ago nobody has ever entered a bank with an intention of borrowing money for a home. This has changed in the sector to almost 90% bank financing (I presume that in Ariel this is a very high percentage as well – go look it up).

2) From speaking to French, Britons, and Americans almost nobody has been buying housing in Holon, Ashkelon, or Cesaria to be a “good Zionist”. I guess neither of you have seen CNN footage of riots in Paris or London suburbs. Most of the French jews who buy in Israel are doing it because they are scared. Some in the US are not just scared but know that hard time are coming. Looks like financially they may be “here” already. When the word spread that the Israeli financial system is strong, building standards are high, social stucture is sound – I guess this is something the writers here forget the big picture when they are looking for 4 walls and a parking spot :8-)

3) Take a look at the big picture, you came to a wonderful place with a good economy and people who are changing the way Jews have lived for over 2,000 years. So you need a job that pays a bit more to afford a nicer diggs!

Have fun and start looking at things a little brighter. Otherwise you will turn into one of these old people who complain about Israel at every turn of the way. Oh, I guess we heard that story — that’s what Moses heard fron 10 out of 12, or did you forget the story of Jerico and Jashua ??? Just open up the “good book” as these christians in Arkansas say :8-)))) !

Indeed, I try to avoid the word of mouth thing myself. However, there is a particular agent that I have chosen to avoid, and will therefore not be benefitting from the business that’s being generated. It’s not that I have a personal issue with the agent – I’ve had the phone hung up on me before. It’s just that I genuinely do not trust the agent nor their business ethics. I want our olim to work with straight businesspeople.

We don’t need Israel’s economy to hit a “downturn” so that prices will fall, and we certainly shouldn’t look forward to it. That’s for two reasons:

1. A primary reason for the rise in real estate seems to be the fact that the market has become unstable. Nobody knows how much their property is worth, ever since everyone started pricing in shekels instead of the wavering and weary dollar. Prices have surged throughout the country, but not everyone can afford them. When push comes to shove AI think that prices will naturally fall – at least somewhat.

2. I wish it was easier to make aliyah, but it isn’t. Until recently a popular excuse for not making aliyah was that Israel’s economy was doing so poorly – how could one possibly survive in Israel? Now the excuse is that America’s economy is doing so poorly – how could one possibly survive in Israel? Those who choose to make it and succeed in their aliyah will.

The market’s tough, but at least in certain places (let’s take Ariel for example) you can get your money’s worth. Like you said Josh – speak with the locals, find out what’s considered a good deal, and run with it.

Yes, it’s a sellers marlet, but it does not mean that each home has to be taken at face value. Though the vast majority of landlords do not want to spending anything more than necessary on improvements, many do in fact understand when there are issues that need to be adressed and dealt with before a rental contract is signed. It’s almost a given that a fresh coat of paint (whitewash usually) is expected, that some electrical work might be needed, that blinds or windows or other things might need replacing, etc… and this can be added to the contract as a precondition of signing.

There’s is no denial that there is a lot of junk out there, but with some vision and perceverence, (did I spell that right?) a dump can be turned into a nice place.

Now, with regard to driving the agents crazy, well, except for the valid ‘common sense’ advice you gave, the agents should know that they’ll have to be patient with us and that if they have a bit of vision, we’ll be making them a nice buck in the next few years. Sure, they don’t need us, but word of mouth spreads and we can easily ignore those who don’t have patience with us.

Josh