Who does Yehoshua work with?
Yehoshua works with English speakers in four main situations, and the rules differ for each:
- English speakers living in Israel who manage fine in everyday Hebrew but want to understand a decades-long commitment in their own language.
- Olim (new immigrants), before or after aliyah. The timing can change how the bank classifies you and which tax benefit applies. Read the mortgage guide for olim.
- Foreign residents buying in Israel, who face a different financing limit and purchase tax. See Mortgage in Israel for foreign residents.
- Families with a mortgage who want to know whether refinancing pays off once every fee is counted. Start with the mortgage refinance guide.
What can Yehoshua help you with?
A new mortgage
From "how much can we borrow?" to signing at the bank: income and equity, the Bank of Israel limits, a mortgage mix (תמהיל) that fits your budget and your comfort with risk, and offers from several banks compared on the same basis.
Mortgage refinance
Your current mortgage checked against what the banks offer today, after the early-repayment fee and every other cost. Sometimes the honest answer is that refinancing doesn't pay off right now, and that's worth knowing too.
Discounted-price apartments (Dira Behanacha / Mechir Lamishtaken)
The government's discounted-housing program (דירה בהנחה), which includes Mechir Lamishtaken (מחיר למשתכן), has its own Bank of Israel financing rules. Together you'll work out how much equity you need and how the mortgage fits the deal. In Hebrew: mortgage for a discounted apartment.
Family-finance mapping
A focused mapping meeting (פגישת מיפוי) for families who want a clear picture of their cash flow, loans and expenses, before a big decision or simply to make the month work. It doesn't include pension, investment or insurance advice.
How does it work?
- Send the basics. A short WhatsApp message or call: what you're planning and roughly what the numbers look like. The initial mortgage check is free of charge.
- Map the full picture. Income, equity, existing loans and what matters most to you: a lower payment, a shorter term or more certainty. For a refinance, this starts with your bank's balance-for-repayment report (דוח יתרות לסילוק).
- A personal mix and a rate tender. Yehoshua builds a mix that fits your situation, prepares the application and asks several banks for offers, a "rate tender" (מכרז ריביות).
- Compare, negotiate, decide. The offers are compared on total cost, not just the first payment. Yehoshua negotiates with the banks and walks you through the bank's documents before you sign.
Why work with Yehoshua in English?
Your mortgage and the bank forms along the way will usually be in Hebrew. Working in English means you understand each document before you sign, while the conversation with the banks happens in their language.
- Hebrew documents, explained in English: the approval in principle (אישור עקרוני), the balance report, the loan agreement and its fees, line by line.
- A bridge to the banks. Yehoshua talks to the bankers in Hebrew, prepares the file and negotiates on your behalf. You make the decisions, in English.
- Numbers first. Every option comes with its monthly payment and its total cost, so a lower payment that costs more overall doesn't slip past you.
- Straight answers. Nobody can promise an approval or a rate; the bank decides. You get a clear estimate, the risks spelled out, and an honest answer when something doesn't pay off.
- Based in Jerusalem, working nationwide. In Jerusalem we can meet in person; elsewhere we meet by video call or phone, and stay in touch on WhatsApp.
What clients wrote on Google
These reviews were written in Hebrew on Google. Each one is shown here in a faithful English translation of the original; where a review is shortened, the cut is marked “…”.
See all reviews on Google (in Hebrew).
“Yehoshua is an excellent mortgage advisor and a God-fearing man. You can tell that every piece of advice he gives comes after studying and thoroughly checking all the data. On top of that, his personal attention and his care give you the feeling that you're not alone in this whole business of buying a home. In front of you is a person who sees you, your needs and your capabilities, and who truly cares that you come out as satisfied as possible. …”Google review · translated from Hebrew
“We were fortunate to get excellent service from Yehoshua on every count: courteous, patient attention to every question and request, even outside normal hours. Professional, quick service. And above all, transparency and reliability, all the way to achieving the best result!”Google review · translated from Hebrew
“I consulted Yehoshua about buying a Mechir Lamishtaken apartment. He gives you a broad picture of the situation and explains risks against gains, very professionally. … He helps you work through several options together to reach the best result. He's also a God-fearing person who cares about his clients and their money.”Google review · translated from Hebrew
“An advisor who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Broad knowledge, caring, courteous, and he fights for every clause. He spared no effort.”Google review · translated from Hebrew
“Yehoshua is professional and patient. He did everything we needed, all with humanity, professionalism and patience. Highly, highly recommended!”Google review · translated from Hebrew
“The process my wife and I went through together with Yehoshua changed our lives for the better, through and through.”Google review · translated from Hebrew
About Yehoshua Geller
Yehoshua Geller is a mortgage and family-finance advisor based in Jerusalem, working with clients across Israel in Hebrew and English. He holds an Israeli real-estate brokerage license and completed a real-estate entrepreneurship course. He works with all the banks, prepares each client's application and negotiates with the banks on the client's behalf. He doesn't give pension, investment or insurance advice. More about Yehoshua (in Hebrew).
Guides and calculators
- Mortgage refinance in Israel: when it pays off and how it works
- Mortgage for olim (new immigrants) in Israel
- Mortgage in Israel for foreign residents: a practical guide
- Mortgage calculator: loan amount and monthly payment (in Hebrew)
- Refinance calculator (in Hebrew)
- Purchase tax calculator (in Hebrew)
Frequently asked questions
Can I do the whole process in English?
Yes. Meetings (in person in Jerusalem, or by video call or phone), calls and WhatsApp messages can all be in English. The bank's documents are usually in Hebrew, so Yehoshua explains each one before you sign and handles the Hebrew side with the banks.
Which banks do you work with?
All of them. Yehoshua prepares the application, asks several banks for offers and compares them on the same basis: the monthly payment, the total cost and the risk in each mix. The final terms are always set by the bank.
Do I need to live in Jerusalem?
No. Yehoshua is based in Jerusalem and works with clients across Israel. In Jerusalem you can meet in person; elsewhere, meetings are by video call or phone, with WhatsApp in between.
How much does it cost?
The initial mortgage check is free of charge. For full guidance or the family-finance mapping meeting, ask Yehoshua about the terms before you decide.
Can you guarantee a mortgage approval or a lower rate?
No, and no one honestly can. The bank decides on approval and rates, based on your details and its own credit policy. What Yehoshua can do is prepare a complete file, compare offers from several banks and show you clearly what each one costs.
I'm buying before my aliyah, or from abroad. Can you help?
Yes. The bank's financing limit and the purchase tax depend on how you're classified, and that can change with aliyah. Read the guide for olim or the guide for foreign residents first, then send your details for an initial check.
Start with an initial mortgage check
Tell Yehoshua what you're planning: a first apartment, a purchase around your aliyah, or a mortgage you suspect costs more than it should. He'll look at the numbers with you and tell you what's worth checking with the banks. The initial mortgage check is free of charge.
Updated: 18.10.2026