Economy

Timberland founders Sidney and Judith Swartz have purchased an apartment in Jerusalem's Mishkenot HaTeatron complex for 48 million shekels. This transaction marks the highest price paid for an apartment in the city this year.

Haifa Municipality has unveiled an ambitious vision with an investment of up to 4 billion shekels, aiming to transform the city's entrance into a major tourist and economic hub, despite potential environmental and budgetary hurdles.

A TAMA 38 project in Neot Afeka, Tel Aviv, faced significant delays, leading to the appointment of a receiver. In a landmark ruling, a judge allowed two families to cancel their contracts and recover their payments, setting a new precedent for the real estate industry.

July data reveals significant supply gaps: while small apartment availability has recovered, a 25% shortage in large units persists, driving a 4.8% annual price increase.

Former boxing champion Johan Zaoui has sued developer Rudy Gabsi, alleging breach of a loan agreement and failure to provide collateral for luxury properties in Tel Aviv.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen and Mayor Yair Shtebon signed an agreement to connect the city to the central Gush Dan wastewater treatment system. The move is intended to remove an infrastructure barrier ahead of the construction of about 12,000 housing units and an increase in the population to more than 50,000 residents.

Yesodot Eitanim Urban Renewal and the Savionim Group have won a residents' tender on Ben Gurion Street in Kiryat Bialik. The project involves replacing 18 old apartments with 90 new units across two modern buildings.

A 156 sqm garden apartment with a 170 sqm private garden was sold on Jabotinsky Street at a record price. MyTown CEO Yossi Hasson stated that such a transaction confirms the success of the company's concept in creating premium assets.

A single Israel Land Authority tender for land to build apartments in Ness Ziona has concluded, with a bid that reflects a discount of about 18% on the land. Who are the winning companies, how much does the land cost, and why housing prices cannot really drop in this area.

The Israel Land Authority continues to show weak data regarding land marketing. A permanent director has not yet been appointed, and out of dozens of tenders, only a few are intended for high-density construction.

Financial reports from REIT funds for the first half of 2026 reveal significant delays in the delivery of hundreds of apartments. This results in delayed occupancy and lost rental income, with several cases now heading to court.

CEO Adi Dana addresses the report regarding the wave of deal cancellations. According to him, "it is less than 0.8%, this is a routine standard deviation." He also commented on the impact of financing benefits.

The Efrat Local Council is promoting a plan to build about 500 new housing units, including in 15-story buildings. A protected housing complex is also planned. Council head: "A strategic move for the entire region."

Despite the ongoing slowdown in the housing market, the average mortgage continues to climb, reaching 1.117 million shekels in July — the second-highest figure ever. About 43% of new mortgages were taken for properties worth 3 million shekels or more. Contractor loans also remained at a high level, with a volume of 1.6 billion shekels, but their share of total mortgages actually decreased.

The land lottery in Sde Dov was postponed due to fears of contamination, and soil tests have not yet been completed. The managers of 'Gush HaGadol' are asking to hold the lottery and not wait additional months for the results.

Over the past year, the portfolio of balloon and bullet mortgage loans has grown by approximately 20%, significantly outpacing the growth of the total mortgage market. By July 2026, the balance reached 29.2 billion shekels.

A property where the debtor remains as a protected tenant may be sold for 35%–50% of its value. The price is tempting, but the feasibility depends on the waiting time, the status of the tenant, and especially the amount of rent to be set.

Bank of Israel data reveals a significant trend: the number of mortgage refinancings has reached a peak not seen since 2023. This largely explains the jump in total mortgage volume. Additionally, there is a positive indicator for the Bank of Israel: the number of those in arrears on mortgage payments is decreasing and is at its lowest level this year.

The Israeli model and businesswoman are preparing for a major change in their lives. After a long wait, they are moving into a new, luxurious property designed with a Thai-inspired atmosphere.

A couple who bought an apartment on Dizengoff Street waited 4 years only to discover that the apartment's price had dropped significantly. On the other hand, those who held an apartment in Tel Aviv for a long period earned over 10% per year.

The inspector for multi-family housing in Haifa approved short-term apartment rentals on Airbnb and Booking, despite neighbors' objections. The decision joins a series of conflicting rulings on the subject, and the opponents have already appealed to the District Court.

Following delays due to the war, the tender for the renewal of the site of the veteran concert hall has been launched. The project includes residential, commercial, and office spaces in towers, with the tallest reaching 46 floors. Out of 481 units, 127 will be allocated for municipal use.

The Ministry of Finance reports a wave of real estate deal cancellations, but forgot to mention an important fact: in some cases, most of the cancelled deals have already "rolled over" and the apartments were sold to other customers. Kata Group, which had 7 deals cancelled in the quarter, has already sold 5 of those apartments - and at higher prices. Are the figures not dramatic?

The Kishrei Teufa group has partnered with the Palmo group to develop the HORIZA LOUTRAKI apartment complex in Greece. Located an hour from Athens, the project will feature 75 residential units designed for both vacation use and short-term rentals.

The public real estate company reports 100% occupancy in projects designated for long-term rental, and annual revenues of about 35 million shekels. Will its bet on Sde Dov also pay off?

The property in Katzrin, an 8-room house with a pool and two guest units, was purchased by a couple from the USA. The property is located in the southern part of the neighborhood, features an exceptionally large built-up area, and offers an unobstructed view of the Zavitan Stream.

Giant projects planned in the Haifa metropolis in the coming years are set to significantly reshape the region. We examine the timelines and the potential impact on the city and investors.

Also: how much was a 2.5-room apartment sold for in Bat Yam and how much was paid for a 4-room apartment in Kiryat Gat? Making a deal.

Behind the wave of deal cancellations, the Ministry of Finance has identified a concerning trend: wealthy individuals, including celebrities, are purchasing apartments from contractors and canceling contracts without facing penalties. Experts point to aggressive developer financing campaigns as the primary driver.

In the car market, lots are cleared with 20% discounts, but in real estate, tens of thousands of apartments are unsold and the price barely moves. From the "zero report" to the fear of a "domino effect": the real reason contractors prefer to absorb huge interest rates rather than lower the price.

The District Planning and Building Committee is set to discuss the expansion of Beit Shemesh east of Highway 10. KKL (Jewish National Fund) opposes the development of sensitive green areas, arguing the city can reach 550,000 residents without environmental damage.

The apartment spans 68 square meters and is located on the first floor out of seven. The real estate agent who represented the sellers in the deal notes: "There is currently activity in Nahariya and quite a few deals are being closed. People have gotten used to the security situation and have returned to the market." Plus more real estate deals from the last week.

Almost half a year since the occupancy permit for "Migdalei HaSolelim" in Tel Aviv, and the developers Mivne and Tidhar are not blinking - and are not lowering prices. With enough cash in the bank and a debt ratio of less than 50% of the balance sheet, these companies know that the banks will not be in a hurry to call, and perhaps in the meantime the market will change direction.

Mark Zuckerberg is expanding his real estate portfolio with the purchase of a castle in County Waterford, Ireland. The Gothic-style estate, which includes a 1,780-dunam plot, will serve as a residence for the family during their visits to the country.

Judge Alex Stein rejected the husband's appeal, who claimed the property was purchased with his father's money. It was determined that investment and long-term cohabitation created an intent of sharing, while the wife's apartment will remain her sole property.

The court in Guangzhou accepted the request of the local commercial bank to initiate bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings against the real estate arm of the Evergrande Group. The dramatic decision comes just one day after the company's founder was sentenced to life imprisonment.

During the demolition of an unauthorized structure in East Jerusalem, the ceiling of an additional floor was damaged, which was not included in the order, even though it was also illegal. The court ruled that the state was negligent.

The public is torn between a spacious apartment with a MAMAD on the periphery and a small apartment in the big city. How much does a small apartment in a major city cost, and transactions in Holon and Bat Yam show that it is possible to purchase apartments without a MAMAD for less than 2 million shekels.

Real estate appraisers and the CBS report price growth, while the Ministry of Finance warns of a collapse among contractors. Which developers are truly at risk? | Weekly real estate news

The Israel Land Authority has approved the marketing plan for Complex C in Jerusalem's entrance district. The project features a 40-story tower, an 8-story building, office, commercial, and hotel spaces, along with approximately 230 housing units.