Why do so many Israelis invest in U.S. real estate? If you've ever compared home prices in Israel to the U.S., you know the sticker shock goes in reverse. In Israel, you might shell out a small fortune for a modest apartment. Meanwhile, “there are many U.S. markets where you can buy three houses for the price of one in Tel Aviv,” said Hagit, an experienced Israeli real estate investor. Hagit isn’t new to real estate. In fact, she’s been steadily building equity and amassing a portfolio– all of which started with one investment decision 10 years ago. Now, with a lender she can trust, her momentum is accelerating. That’s the power of working with Waltz and unlocking capital through a cash-out refinance.
Sometimes, tragedy can lead to life-altering changes.
A defining day in Israeli history was October 7, 2023 when terrorists attacked innocent civilians. This led to an all out war. It also displaced many people, including Hagit who lived in the Gaza Strip, an area that saw escalated military activity.
Amidst the chaos, Hagit sought an outlet to focus her attention on. She channeled that energy into real estate, diving headfirst into becoming a full-time investor.
For her and her husband, the mission was clear: build generational wealth for their four children. Fueled by that purpose and the grit forged by living through war—Hagit has become a force in real estate, unwilling to let anything stand in her way.
At first, though, something was standing in her way: she couldn’t access the equity tied up in a previous investment property. Then came a turning point. Hagit joined Project X, a real estate education community, where she discovered creative financing. That’s when it all clicked. Hagit reflected back saying “discovering cash-out refinancing created new possibilities and the opportunity to grow my portfolio.”
Back in 2015, Hagit and her husband paid all cash for a 1,400-square-foot house near Cape Coral, Florida. At the time, she bought this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom property for $114,000.
Fast-forward to 2025, that same house is now worth $280,000. That’s the power of market appreciation in real estate!
With a substantial amount of equity at her fingertips, Hagit saw an opportunity to scale. By leveraging $150,000 through a cash-out refinance, she purchased three additional rental properties in Memphis, Tennessee. Practically overnight, she turned one investment into four–all because of a cash-out refinance.
Hagit learned about the option to cash-out refinance about six months ago. As she began exploring her options, she quickly realized that not all lenders were ready to help international investors—or even sure what to do with her situation.
Most lenders aren’t suited to meet the needs of foreign investors, which leads from one obstacle to another. Sadly, Hagit’s experience is far from unique. Investors like her around the world face a frustrating pattern of overpromising and underdelivering when trying to finance U.S. real estate. Here are some of the key challenges Hagit faced along the way:
Months and months went by without a clear solution. Then, she discovered Waltz.
From start to finish, the entire refinance process took just a few weeks. Hagit shared how confident she felt in choosing Waltz, calling the experience a stark contrast to the other lenders she had approached — it was night and day. Here’s what stood out to her:
With her Florida property successfully refinanced, she’s already looking for ways to expand her U.S. portfolio further. The plan is to wash, rinse, and repeat the refinance process as she builds equity in her properties. When she’s ready, Waltz will be here to help!
