Economy

Shevi Shamir, Deputy CEO and Head of the Retail Division at Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, addressed the housing market situation: "The high volume of mortgages today does not stem from a recovery in the housing market."

Following a year-long delay due to war-related funding challenges, the financial closing for the 'Nofit' light rail project has been finalized. The 41 km line will connect Haifa, Nof HaGalil, and Nazareth, serving an estimated 100,000 passengers daily.

Ili Bar, co-CEO of the urban renewal company Eco City, explains why, despite the slowdown in the residential sector, deals are still happening, including in Tel Aviv; he discusses a 200 million shekel investment by Menora Mivtachim and warns: "Fewer projects are getting underway today, and this will come back to us like a boomerang."

Promises are one thing, reality is another: an investigation reveals that construction tenders in the first half of 2026 are at their lowest point, despite official assurances of an increased housing supply. We examine why this is happening and its connection to the power struggle for the ILA director position.

The owner of Y.H. Damri explains why he bought apartments for himself and his children in Sde Dov and denied it was done to boost sales: "Sde Dov is going to be one of the best neighborhoods in the country. We have done over 41 deals. Not the pace we expected, but I am not worried."

Two partners held land in Ramat Gan in equal shares for years, with one partner building a private house on the plot. Following a demolition order, a dispute arose over the allocation of additional building rights.

The objections investigator for the "Nof Yarkon" plan resigned due to a conflict of interest, as he had professional ties with an appraiser who submitted an opinion on the project. This is expected to further delay the 9,000-unit housing project, which has been in the works for three decades.

A rapid urban renewal plan for Ahuza Street in Ra'anana will increase density by hundreds of percent. This is just one of 100 projects being promoted around the Gush Dan metro, set to add 300,000 new apartments.

New data show that business credit jumped by 15% year-on-year, the highest rate since 2010, driven largely by banks. This trend is primarily due to the real estate sector, which requires significant funding to stay afloat amid a sales slowdown. Experts warn of rising financial risks.

Following advanced negotiations to lease approximately 4,500 square meters at the Wix campus in Glilot, the deal has been canceled. Fiverr, whose current lease in Tel Aviv is nearing expiration, had been seeking larger office space, but its future plans remain uncertain.

A CBS survey indicates a sharp decline in the share of households planning to purchase an apartment – from 8% to 3.6%. According to the director of the housing indices department at the bureau, the data reflects a slowdown in the market.

Yinon Magal shared a marketing video with his followers detailing changes he made to his mortgage: "They cut my mortgage almost in half."

Even the world's wealthiest are not immune to economic shifts. A new report by Julius Baer reveals the rising costs of a luxury lifestyle and how global elites are adapting their financial habits.

Big has completed the sale of its 80% stake in the Legends at Sparks Marina shopping center in Nevada for $82 million. Following this transaction, the company retains only one remaining property in the US, which it also intends to divest.

A resurgence in the housing credit market: Bank of Israel data reveals the distribution of financing rates and the risk levels taken on by borrowers. Additionally, the data highlights how many Israelis are allocating up to 40% of their monthly income to mortgage payments.

The 'Eretz Nehederet' star has been chosen to front the 'Big Apartment Tender' campaign for the Prashkovsky Group. The campaign, backed by an investment of approximately 15 million shekels, encourages the public to set their own apartment prices.

The income-producing real estate company plans a full exit from operations in the USA. It is selling the asset in Nevada at a price higher than the book value and plans to sell the last asset in Pennsylvania. In addition, the company also sold its holdings in the subsidiaries in France.

The lottery has concluded, and soon nearly two thousand reservists will receive notification that their apartment is on the way. How much will an apartment cost in Yehud versus Rishon, where are the lowest prices, and who is set to become a millionaire?

Real estate investment fund Marathon is finalizing a 750 million shekel raise for its second investment fund. Originally targeting 600 million shekels, the fund increased the amount due to strong investor demand.

Mega Or has purchased a 15.6-dunam plot from Schnapp's subsidiary, Keslev, for 95 million shekels. The acquisition will expand the company's planned large-scale data center campus in Hadera.

Promotional campaigns like "Apartment as a Gift," digital tenders, and deep discounts are being used by developers to combat housing market stagnation. However, buyers remain cautious, and banks are scrutinizing deals under a microscope, refusing to recognize "on-paper" sales.

The Ackerstein Group is acquiring an 85% controlling interest in EcoWall from the Tidhar Group and other shareholders. The deal is valued at 47 million shekels, with EcoWall's total valuation at 55 million shekels.

Transactions over 15 million pounds have surged by 79%, yet the broader luxury market is losing buyers, with average city prices falling by 3.7%. High taxes, interest rates, and supply levels are creating opportunities for cash-ready buyers with strong negotiation skills.

Phoenix and Menora, two of Israel's largest institutional entities, have partnered with BST Group to acquire a rental housing portfolio in Toronto for 332 million shekels. This marks the first step in a strategy aimed at a tenfold increase in assets.

The city of Ofakim is rapidly transforming into a massive construction site. Despite concerns over supply, the Israel Land Authority (ILA) is set to market 1,500 more units next month. We examine the driving forces behind this growth and the current real estate pricing.

Tenants who moved to a different apartment paid on average 6.6% more than previous occupants, compared to a 2.6% increase upon contract renewal. This gap makes moving particularly expensive and strengthens the landlord's position during tenant turnover.

A new study by real estate appraiser Dr. Asaf Gastfreund examined the value of apartments with and without a MAMAD in a Haifa neighborhood — a city where 77% of apartments are not protected. The results are surprising.

The Northern District Appeals Committee has ruled that the Safed Academic College can proceed with its student dormitory project in the Old City, rejecting the Local Committee's objections regarding transportation planning.

A resident of central Israel who won 10 million shekels shared his modest plans for the future. The winner intends to maintain his current lifestyle while treating his family, including his son serving in the IDF.

The 2026 Ministry of Interior report reveals a massive disparity in construction starts across Israel: while Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Yafo lead with thousands of new units, many smaller or established towns face stagnation, with some recording zero new construction starts in 2024.

A new tender in the south allows combat reservists, especially if they are local residents, to receive land at a negligible price. The problem: development costs. How much will it cost them to build a villa and is the deal worth it?

Amid a slowdown in the real estate market, the developer "Anshei Ha'ir" attracted buyers with a creative promotion: every client who purchased an apartment in their projects was entered into a raffle to win a second unit.

Out of 11 billion shekels in mortgages, more than 10 billion are brand new loans. Apparently, a sign of a red-hot market, but the Treasury claims it is an illusion. The contractors' 80/20 deals are coming back like a boomerang, and the Treasury's data reveals what is really happening behind the scenes.

And also: what amount was paid for a 3-room apartment in Beersheba, how much was a 4-room apartment sold for in Shoham, and what was the price of a 5-room rooftop apartment in Holon? Second-hand deals.

Despite a slowdown in the Tel Aviv real estate market, the luxury segment remains resilient. Entrepreneur Raz Goldwasser, who is developing a boutique project in the Ravivim neighborhood, notes that unique locations allow for sustained pricing even during challenging times.

A study by real estate appraiser Dr. Asaf Gastfreund reveals that since early 2023, second-hand housing prices in Quarter 3 have fallen by over 20%, with Quarter 4 seeing a decline of nearly 8%. In real terms, accounting for inflation, the erosion of value is even more significant.

What seemed like an opportunity to buy an apartment in Jaffa at a price 300,000 shekels below market value turned into a headache and a loss-making investment. The Yaffa urban renewal project stalled and collapsed, and the chance for a high profit turned into a loss of hundreds of thousands of shekels.

A shell of a cottage with an area of about 290 sq. m, on a half-dunam plot in the moshav of Kfar Warburg, was sold for 4.1 million shekels. According to estimates, 2.2 million shekels must be invested to complete the construction.

Recently, there has been a growing wave of urban renewal projects "changing hands." Large, financially resilient companies are replacing smaller developers who have struggled to advance their projects. What does this mean for residents, and how can they protect their rights?

The dream of a garden and a private house is becoming increasingly elusive for Israelis. Recent transaction data reveals a significant jump in prices, alongside a surprising and much more affordable alternative within reach.