Foreign Real Estate Attorney — Professional Legal Representation in International Transactions

Why is Legal Representation Important in Foreign Real Estate Transactions?

Purchasing or selling a property outside of Israel is not a simple transaction. Every country in the world operates a unique legal system governing real estate law, property registration management, tax payment, international fund transfers, and contract formation. If you are an Israeli looking to buy an apartment in Spain, a house in Portugal, land in Cyprus, or a jointly-owned property in the USA, you are facing a complex legal puzzle that requires professional expertise, international connections, and experience coordinating between two completely different legal systems.

A foreign real estate attorney is your strategic partner in this process. He ensures that the transaction is conducted in accordance with local laws, that the property is properly registered, that taxes are paid correctly, and that your rights as a buyer or seller are protected from the beginning of the process until its conclusion.

Mandelblit, Gor, Witsman-Gor & Co. specializes in legal representation of international real estate transactions. With over 18 years of experience in real estate law and various legal systems, we provide professional, precise, and focused advice for every stage of your foreign transaction.

Stages of a Foreign Real Estate Transaction — What You Need to Know?

A foreign real estate transaction goes through several fundamental stages:

• Stage 1: Initial Review and Due Diligence — examination of property rights, property history, tax liabilities, easements and encumbrances, and notes in the local land registry or property register.
• Stage 2: Agreement Formation — preparation or review of the purchase agreement, legal terms, staged payments, conditional inspections, and closing dates.
• Stage 3: Coordination Between Legal Systems — transfer of information between attorneys in Israel and attorneys abroad, document translation, signature verification, and reporting to Israeli VAT authorities (if applicable).
• Stage 4: Completion of Transfer — registration of the property in the name of the new owner, key transfer, closing of foreign bank accounts, and reporting to the Israeli Tax Authority.
• Stage 5: Tax Management and Reporting — reporting of foreign property, calculation of capital gains tax (if selling), income reporting with the Israeli Tax Authority, and review of international agreements to prevent double taxation.

Each stage requires special legal attention and close coordination with local authorities abroad.

What Do Our Attorneys Do in Foreign Real Estate Transactions?

Mandelbaum, Gor, Vitsman-Gor & Co. provides comprehensive legal representation in foreign real estate transactions, from the initial due diligence stage through final closing:

1. Due Diligence and Property Investigation

Before you commit to a purchase, we conduct a thorough investigation of the foreign property. This includes: title search, verification that the seller has the legal right to sell, examination of tax liabilities, management fees, or legal encumbrances on the property, review of future building plans, rights of neighbors or other parties, and bank reports or liens on the property. All of this is done in cooperation with local attorneys abroad who possess in-depth knowledge of the country's laws.

2. Drafting and Review of Purchase Agreement

A foreign purchase agreement differs significantly from an Israeli contract. We examine every clause, verify that the terms reflect your agreement, and upgrade or modify provisions if necessary. This includes: contingencies, payment dates, seller warranties, insurance during transfer, and accuracy in the property description.

3. Coordination Between Legal Systems

If you are an Israeli completing a transaction abroad, you must coordinate between two different legal systems. We mediate between Israeli and foreign attorneys, translate important documents, authenticate signatures, and ensure that all Israeli reports (income tax, VAT, registry of persons) are properly completed.

4. Management of International Funds

Transferring money from Israel abroad and back requires knowledge of international banking laws, VAT reporting in Israel, and tax reporting abroad. We ensure that every fund transfer is conducted lawfully, with proper documentation, and without risk of delay or legal examination.

5. Property Registration Abroad

After signing the contract and closing the transaction, the property must be registered in your name in the land registry or the country's property register. We handle all procedures necessary to complete this registration, ensure documents are sent on time, and await final registration approval.

6. Tax Reporting and Management in Israel

If you own a property abroad, you must report it to the Israeli tax authority, maintain records of income or expenses related to the property (such as management fees or rental income), and calculate capital gains tax if you sell the property in the future. We guide you through this entire process.

Common Challenges in Foreign Real Estate Transactions — and How We Help

Each of these challenges requires deep legal knowledge, connections abroad, and experience in coordinating between legal systems. Mendelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. specializes in solving these issues and ensuring that your transaction proceeds legally and smoothly.