Tzvi Shapiro

About Tzvi Shapiro

Tzvi first came to Israel in 1995 from Passaic, NJ. He completed his B.S. in New York at the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University before returning to Israel. Prior to co-founding First Israel Mortgage, Tzvi served in numerous managerial and operational roles spanning the banking and financial industries.

Can’t find an apartment? How about a tent?

When I moved to Israel in 1995, many of my friends asked me if we would get around by car or by camel, if we would have bathrooms or outhouses and if we would live in a house or in tent.

Having laughed at them for their ignorant questions, little did I know that in […]

By |December 16th, 2011|Israel Real Estate News|Comments Off on Can’t find an apartment? How about a tent?

Impressive Gains for Israeli Real Estate Stock (REIT)

When it comes to Israeli real estate investments, few people realize they can diversify their holdings by investing in an Israeli REIT stock.

The gains have been substantial from this form of investment, which also has a low barrier of entry and a high degree of liquidity.

If you have some money you want to invest in […]

By |December 14th, 2011|Hot Topics|Comments Off on Impressive Gains for Israeli Real Estate Stock (REIT)

Jerusalem: A Consistently Booming Real-Estate Market

The global economic crisis of recent years is leaving its mark on the Jerusalem real estate market in more ways than one.

Foreign buyers are taking more time to buy into the property market, but they are still here and want to find their “home” in the “Jerusalem of Gold”, while local purchasers appear to […]

By |December 14th, 2011|Israel Real Estate News|Comments Off on Jerusalem: A Consistently Booming Real-Estate Market

Subprime in Israel?

Subprime.

It’s notoriety prevails throughout the world. The word alone conjures up vivid memories of recession, ruined investors, and failed banks.

With the financial crisis in the United States allegedly over, the question for us begs, does subprime lending exist in Israel?

Can history repeat itself here? This question was posed to the Head of Retail Banking […]

By |December 13th, 2011|Banking News|Comments Off on Subprime in Israel?

Bank of Israel to keep buying forex

Central bank’s governor says will continue to intervene in foreign exchange market to ensure Israeli exports remain competitive

Israel’s central bank will continue to intervene in the foreign exchange market to ensure Israeli exports remain competitive, Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer said on Monday.
Contradictory policies?
Some analysts have questioned whether Fischer can continue contradictory policies […]

By |December 10th, 2011|Currency Exchange|Comments Off on Bank of Israel to keep buying forex

Government Steps in to Lower Property Prices

For many young couples beginning their lives together, as well as for other families, the dream of buying a home has become a dream that is difficult to achieve.

Notwithstanding the usual dilemmas such as location, size and other parameters, the issue of financing poses an even more daunting prospect. In fact, the financial aspect […]

By |December 9th, 2011|Israel Real Estate News|Comments Off on Government Steps in to Lower Property Prices

Israel: The fastest growing real-estate market in the world

Today as much as ever the number of people purchasing investment properties in Israel continues to rise. Even following the world’s economic collapse Israel has been confirmed as the fastest growing real-estate market in the world.

For those contemplating investing in Israeli property the following will be of interest:

The cities showing the highest annual […]

By |December 9th, 2011|Israel Real Estate News|Comments Off on Israel: The fastest growing real-estate market in the world

Israeli Credit Rating May Be Cut by S&P in Line With U.S. Action

Israel may have its AAA credit rating on U.S.-guaranteed sovereign bonds cut by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service in line with a similar action it has warned of taking on U.S. debt.

S&P put Israel’s rating on “CreditWatch” today, meaning there is a 50 percent chance it may be cut in the next 90 days.

It […]

By |December 7th, 2011|Points of Interest|Comments Off on Israeli Credit Rating May Be Cut by S&P in Line With U.S. Action

Living the High-Life in Herzliya-Pituach

Herzliya-Pituach is highly regarded as one of the most luxurious areas in all of Israel.

This centrally located town built on the beaches of the Mediterranean is situated between Kvish Hachof (the coastal highway) on the west and the neighborhood of Nof Yam on the north.

This beautiful town was once known as the “Rivlin” neighborhood […]

By |December 21st, 2010|Israel Real Estate News|Comments Off on Living the High-Life in Herzliya-Pituach

Red, Hot and Blue

The Israeli mortgage banking industry is in the midst of unprecedented times.

The Bank of Israel, faced with a soaring real estate market and a steadily appreciating shekel, has found it tough to strike a balance between its attempt to dampen speculation in the red-hot real estate market and keep a stable exchange rate.

How hot […]

By |December 21st, 2010|Points of Interest|Comments Off on Red, Hot and Blue