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Diramates is a free matchmaking service for people looking to find compatible roommates
in Israel.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2010
Contact: Shira Kallus Zwebner, SBK Public Relations
shira@diramates.com
FREE ONLINE MATCHMAKING SERVICE FOR ANGLO’S SEARCHING FOR COMPATIBLE
ROOMMATES LAUNCHES IN ISRAEL
New website, Diramates.com, offers extensive personality profiles and apartment
listings
New York, NY - - May 10, 2010 – Diramates (www.diramates.com), a free online matchmaking service for Anglo’s searching for compatible roommates in Israel, has launched today. The website, which literally translated means flatmates, offers extensive member personality profiles, along with photo uploads, and a searchable database of potential roommates throughout Israel. Diramates also offers communication with potential roommates in a safe and secure environment, and apartment and room listings.
“Hundreds of thousands of English speaking singles have made Aliyah in the past decade, and that number is just expected to rise as more and more singles make Aliyah to Israel,” said Shira Kallus Zwebner, CEO and Founder of Diramates. “There is a significant need within the community for a free, English language website that not only helps people find compatible roommates, but also offers apartment and room listings in an environment that protects member privacy. Diramates is the perfect place for those looking to establish their home in their new homeland of Israel.”
In addition to assisting English speakers in their roommates search, Diramates is also a portal for real estate agents looking to list their apartments and homes in Israel. Agents join the site, fill out a membership profile, and then can list their apartments and homes, for either rent or sale, and upload photos for free!
Other site features include:
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DiraNews - Branded monthly newsletters offering member specials, advice and information to assist people in their roommate and apartment search
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Helpful information to help acclimate to life in Israel, and local events listings
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Diramates Daily blog – Written by our team of recent Olim, who will provide advice and firsthand accounts of their experiences looking for roommates or apartments.
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@Diramates – Follow us on Twitter!
About Diramates
Founded in August 2006 and officially launched in May 2010, Diramates (www.diramates.com)
is a free matchmaking service for English speakers searching for compatible roommates in Israel.
The site offers extensive personality profiles, targeted search functionality, rooms and apartments listings,
and relationship and Aliyah advice. The site also includes basic communication tools that protect member
privacy, and a host of other information to help new Olim acclimate to life in Israel. The site is also a
portal for real estate agents looking to list apartments and rooms, for rent or for sale, throughout Israel.
Facebook group and keep tabs on us as we grow and improve by reading our blog at
http://diramates.blogspot.com/. Diramates is a U.S. based Company
with headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel. Additional information is available at
www.diramates.com.
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In The News
June 7, 2010
Diramates: The New and Easy Way to Find an Apartment and the People You Want Living in it
by Molly Livingstone
If you've ever had the pleasure of looking for an apartment to rent or buy in Israel then you know this is no small task. From the decision to move, to the many different Hebrew websites and realtors, to the actual looking at an apartment, dealing with the owners and then the worst of all— the moving process, apartment hunting is truly just that, but instead of you being the hunter, it feels more like you're the one being hunted.
more
For new immigrant Shira Zwebner, moving from the US to Tel Aviv in order to pursue a Creative Writing Masters at Bar-Ilan, the process seemed simple at first. Through various contacts Shira was able to move into a short-term apartment on Hayarkon and Allenby, a very hip part of town. However, the over-priced apartment also came with additional amenities like a strip club across the street. "Not the ideal living situation to say the least, as the night air was often filled with loud club music and drunken curses in Russian," Shira explains.
It was at that point that Shira began frantically looking for a long-term apartment and a roommate to share it with. But her search on the Hebrew websites became more daunting as the time passed. "It was torture, as I barely knew the Hebrew words for air conditioner and furnished. My trusty dictionary helped, but it wasn't the same. Considering all the bureaucratic rigors I was dealing with, the stress of finding an apartment was overwhelming. Had there been something in English, it would have made the search so much easier," she says.
Rather than giving up on the search, Shira realized the need for an English language website that had both apartment listings and a matchmaking section to find compatible roommates. The idea became reality with her new free access website Diramates.com.
Where other apartment websites may give you info about the apartment or specify if the roommate is kosher or a smoker, Diramates takes it a step further getting the details before the commitment. "Similar to online dating, we have an extensive personality profile where members answer a range of questions from their backgrounds to what they're like as a roommate, she adds, "We also offer email communication on our site, thereby protecting the privacy of our members. Each member controls whether and when to provide their personal contact information to a potential roommate."
The website is free to join and all are welcome from those looking for roommates to those who want to list their apartment or even a room and of course the people searching for apartments to rent or buy. "Members join the site, create their username and fill out a profile. Once their profile is complete, they are able to search through listings of other members, so they can find a potential roommate. Additionally, for members who aren't looking for a roommate, they can join and either search for apartments for rent or sale, or they can post an apartment or room they have available for rent or sale." As well as the basic search options, Diramates also offers info and tips on a variety of topics including relationship advice, how to get along with your roommate, and recommendations on the best neighborhoods to live in.
Shira's advice for Jerusalem Blueprint readers is to make sure and do your homework. "Don't take the first place you see, look at least at two or three other apartments so you can compare. If, after seeing the other places, you like the first one the best, go back and try to negotiate a deal." Additionally, Shira notes that it is important to ask your potential landlord about issues such as Arnona, Vaad Bayit (maintenance fee) and other non-rent related costs. And she stresses you should find a fluent Hebrew speaker to help you review your contract, "there can be a lot of hidden clauses and rules in contracts that you might not understand if your Hebrew isn''t up to par. I ended up signing a contract that forbad me from putting up any paintings in the apartment, as banging nails into the wall was unacceptable. Staring a white walls for a year can be very depressing, make sure you understand everything before you sign a contract!"
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May 10, 2010
Diramates featured on
24-7 Press Release
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May 10, 2010
Diramates featured story on
Residential Real Estate Today News.
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May 10, 2010
Diramates is the top story on
News Blaze.
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Contact Us
For press info, please email diramates.com at
press@diramates.com.
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Diramates features extensive personality profiles, a
searchable database of potential roommates throughout Israel
, email communications that protects member privacy, relationship tips for you and your roommate or roommates, and advice on
how to acclimate to life in Israel.
Diramates also features listings of apartments for both sale and rent in the Israel.
Membership is free; Join Now!
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Comments? Suggestions? Problems with the site?
We want to hear from you! We are constantly working on improving Diramates,
and your recommendations would be great!
Contact us at
suggestions@diramates.com today! |
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