Property Appraiser
An objective assessment of the property's true market value
A licensed property appraiser determines the market value of the property — for the bank, for negotiations, and for insurance.
🔑 What does a Property Appraiser do?
A property appraiser (shamai) is a licensed professional regulated by the Appraisers' Council. They examine the property, its location, condition, and size; analyse comparable market transactions; and prepare a professional written report determining the property's market value. The bank uses the report to decide how much mortgage to extend.
⏰ When will you need one?
- ✓Before making a final offer on the property
- ✓When taking out a mortgage (the bank requires it)
- ✓For insurance purposes
💡 Why are they important?
Without an appraisal, you could overpay for a property. If the bank's appraisal comes in below the purchase price, you will need to contribute more equity than planned. An independent appraisal before the offer gives you a negotiating position.
⚠️ What is the risk of skipping?
Without a professional appraisal, you have no objective basis for the price. You may overpay by hundreds of thousands of shekels. In a dispute with the seller, the absence of an appraisal weakens your position.
✅ How to choose a good Property Appraiser?
Look for a certified appraiser (licensed by the Appraisers' Council). Ask whether they know the specific area — local expertise matters greatly. Ask whether the report will include comparable transactions. Be wary of appraisers who "know in advance" what the value will be.
❓ Questions to ask before hiring
- 1Are you a certified appraiser licensed by the Appraisers' Council?
- 2How well do you know the area in which the property is located?
- 3What methodology will you use to determine the value?
- 4Will the report include comparable transactions from the area?
- 5How long will the report take?
- 6Do you also check building permits and violations?
🚨 Common Mistakes
- ✗Relying only on the bank's appraiser (who represents the bank's interests, not yours)
- ✗Not reviewing the appraisal report in detail — just accepting the bottom-line figure
- ✗Confusing market value with reconstruction value (for insurance)
- ✗Using an appraiser unfamiliar with the area
⚠️ Important Note
The information and calculations on this site are for general guidance only and do not constitute legal, financial, tax, or investment advice of any kind. Tax brackets, interest rates, and other data are updated periodically and may not reflect the current situation at the time of viewing.
Before making any real estate purchase, sale, or investment decision — consult with a real estate lawyer, mortgage advisor, tax advisor and licensed appraiser as appropriate. Do not rely solely on calculator results when making decisions.