The Buyer
Jonathan Gellis was already living in Israel when he bought his apartment in Ir Yamim. The purchase itself was straightforward. Moving the money was not.
He planned to transfer funds through his bank. It seemed like the obvious path. Then he started looking into what that actually involved.
The Problem
Converting dollars through an Israeli bank is not a simple wire. The process is slow, the paperwork is heavy, and the rate only becomes clear after the transaction is already done.
"It was not simple. Hard to move dollars. Bad conversion rates. Too much bureaucracy."
What bothered Jonathan most was not just the cost. It was the uncertainty. His bank would not confirm the exchange rate until after the conversion was complete. Then, on top of the rate, the fees arrived separately.
When you are buying a home, that combination, an unknown rate plus surprise fees, is not a minor inconvenience. It is a planning problem. You cannot close confidently when you do not know exactly how much you are paying.
Why Adesco
Jonathan was introduced to Jeff Balsam through a mutual friend in Ra'anana. The relationship came before the transaction.
"My relationship with Jeff. I knew him through a friend."
That trust made the decision easy. But what Adesco actually offered made it the right one.
The Experience
The first transfer changed what Jonathan expected from the process.
He sent dollars into a dollar-denominated account and was able to choose exactly when he wanted to convert, and at what rate. No guessing. No waiting to find out what the bank had decided on his behalf.
"It was a smooth process. I was able to send dollars to a dollar account and was simply able to trade when they got it."
Same-day processing meant closing did not hinge on a bank's timeline. When the funds needed to move, they moved.
"Same-day transfers, getting rid of delays, make it so much easier. That same-day and peace of mind is so helpful."
The Result
The purchase went through without the stress Jonathan had braced himself for. The experience matched what he had hoped for, not what he had feared.
"It met my expectations."
He has continued using Adesco since. The simplicity and speed that mattered during the purchase still matter now.
"The experience, knowing the fees upfront, and getting it done quickly. That is valuable. The service is very good. The timing is very good. I am very happy."
What He Tells Others
When someone asks Jonathan about moving money for a home purchase in Israel, his advice is direct.
"Use a professional. Not some online platform."
About Adesco
Adesco is licensed by the Israel Capital Market, Insurance, and Savings Authority (License 57103) and is fully AML/KYC compliant. Client funds are held in trust at major Israeli banks, fully segregated from Adesco's operations at all times. Every transfer is executed per explicit client instruction only.
Buying Property in Israel?
If you are in the middle of a purchase and still figuring out how to move your funds, the rate and the timing both matter. Adesco gives you control over both.
Request your first transfer at www.adesco.co.il
Jonathan Gellis
Homebuyer, Ir Yamim
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